Estuarine Research Group (ERG)

The Estuarine Research Group (ERG), a multi-disciplinary group established at Waterford Institute of Technology in 2002, carries out strategic research into estuarine and coastal ecosystems. Key research topics include monitoring the impact of human activities on these fragile environments and utilisation of estuarine resources in an environmentally sustainable manner. Group members have a broad range of interests in the biological and chemical disciplines, ranging from estuarine fieldwork, molecular biology and bioremediation to inorganic chemistry and analytical techniques.

 

Estuaries

Estuaries (sometimes referred to as bays, sounds, inlets, harbours or sloughs) are partially enclosed bodies of water along coastlines where fresh-water and salt-water meet and mix. They act as a transition zone between the oceans and land. Estuaries are very important to us for many reasons:

  • They are vital habitats for thousands of marine species (e.g. fish, birds, mammals, crustaceans, plants & algae)
  • They act as a buffer between the ocean and land, reducing the effects of flooding and storm damage
  • They are economically important (e.g. coastal activities, recreational & commercial fishing, tourism)
  • Estuaries are a popular recreational destination

In recent times human activity has caused significant pollution to many estuarine ecosystems (e.g. heavy metal and chemical contamination from mining, industrial & agricultural sources, oil and sewage). We must, however, find sustainable ways to use these valuable resources and preserve their health.

Waterford City is ideally located, providing the ERG with immediate access to the large River Suir Estuary and South-East shoreline for sampling and monitoring activities.

 

Seaweeds

The term seaweed applies generally to large marine algae, found throughout the world’s oceans and seas. As they require light for photosynthesis seaweeds are typically found in shallow coastal waters and estuaries at depths of less than 200 metres and intertidal zones. Found in a multitude of shapes and sizes, seaweeds are commonly classified into three main types, based on colour: Red Seaweeds (Rhodophyta), Green Seaweeds (Chlorophyta) and Brown Seaweeds (Phaeophyta). About 500 species of seaweed are to be found about the Irish coastline.

Seaweeds and seaweed-derived products are used across a wide variety of industries, including agriculture/horticulture, cosmetics, food, pharmaceutical, medical and biotech, and the seaweed industry is fast developing into a major economic sector. There is also considerable current interest into the use of seaweeds for low-cost sustainable environmental clean-up purposes, such as the bioremediation of heavy metals.

 

Current ERG Research Focus

a.  Bioremediation of toxic heavy metals using seaweed biomass:

  • Development of a novel Biofiltration Unit for direct use in industrial waste streams
  • Investigation of the Biochemical & Genetic response of seaweeds to metal exposure
  • Optimisation of seaweed metal uptake capacities

b.  Metal Biomonitoring:

  • Metal monitoring in estuarine seaweeds in South-East Ireland and Western Newfoundland, Canada

c.  Bioactives from Seaweeds:

  • Mining of seaweeds for antimicrobial, anti-infective and prebiotic activity
  • Scientific validation of extracted Bioactives for novel animal health applications (e.g. animal feeding trials)

 

Further Information/Contact Us

 


Sampling seaweed in western Newfoundland, Canada

Waterford Institute of Technology, Cork Road, Waterford, Ireland Tel +353 (0) 51 302000 Email
Comments‌ Accessibility‌ Sitemap‌^