University of Antwerp,
Dep. Biology
Universiteitsplein
2610 Wilrijk
Belgium
Patrick Meire
patrick.meire@uantwerpen.de
A large-scale aquatic flume facility at the University of Antwerp. The pursued flume is a controllable semi-natural system in which environmental and biological processes can be studied in relation to water movement on an ecologically relevant scale of complexity and timeframes. Today only few of such systems are available throughout the world which is a serious limitation for the future development of ecologically relevant and scientifically robust environmental quality criteria and management strategies. Our flume facility is specifically adapted to overcome shortcomings in other facilities. Multiple replicate zones can be facilitated (vegetation, flow patterns) within the flume facilities, to allow for statistically sound experiments.
Water nutrient and/or pollution concentration
Hydrology
Vegetation
Sediment nutrient status/pollution
Most flumes are either built for hydrodynamic studies (without sediment), or for geomorphologic studies (with sediment, but shallow). We want to combine these for two reasons: (i) we want to examine the interaction between biota, current and geomorphology; and (ii) the sediment is a prerequisite for plants to develop a natural root system that allows sufficient anchorage against the stream velocity.
Multiple state-of-the-art flow meters
Gas exchange chambers (Li-Cor) for CH4, CO2, H20 fluxes
Multiple basic water quality probes
Multiple water pressure/height meters
Multiple online nutrient probes
Soil pH, temperature and humidity sensors
nearby in private accommodation