Past student assignments Aquaculture

Underneath you can find an overview of student assignments that have been executed over the past few years for the research group Aquaculture.

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Project	Startdatum	Einddatum	Samenvatting
A comparison of oyster quality and physiology between oysters from different origin	1 februari 2017	30 juni 2017	A former study assessed the difference in quality (condition index) and physiology (in this case gill:palp ratio) of oysters from different locations in the Netherlands. The objective of that study was to compare CI and G:P ratio of oysters from the four different origins which are transported to the Eastern Scheldt with oysters from Eastern Scheldt origin on different moments in time after transportation. This study aims to do additional analysis for the change in physiology (gill/palp ratio and condition index) at a later point in time.
Automation of algae cultivation	1 september 2016	31 januari 2017	Develop and test a method to automate the biomass determination and the dilution rate in SEA cap systems, similar to the turbidostat method used in photobioreactors.
Detecting stress levels in mussels in relation to culture practices	1 september 2016	31 januari 2017	Apply methods to detect stress levels in mussels and examine stress levels in mussels that have been exposed to different stressors. In advance experiments can be carried out under controlled conditions. Research type: desk study, sampling & experiments (HZ, Vlissingen) Research level: internship (BSc. level) Perquisite: preferably affinity with biology and chemistry, precise, dedicated, analytical skills
Effect of N-P ration on biomass productivity and lipid content on Skeletonema costatum	1 februari 2018	30 juni 2018	In this research we will examine how variations in the nitrate-to-phosphate ratio of the growth medium affect the particulate N:P in batch cultures of Skeletonema costatum at irradiances that limit and saturate growth rate. Batch cultures have the advantage of mimicking the onset of nutrient limitation, while the cells are in a transient state. The main focus is the extent to which the elemental stoichiometry of phytoplankton, at various growth stages reflects the nutrient elemental composition of the culture medium.
Effect of inundation time on oyster spat settlement and do these effect in settlement stage affect oyster performance during later culture stages?	1 september 2016	31 januari 2017	The focus will be on the amount of spat settled, on the growth and on the survival of mussel spat on spat collectors as a function of inundation time. After collecting the spat from the oyster spat collectors we want to test how inundation time in the settlement stage affects the performance of the oysters in baskets in the off-bottom oyster culture at the same inundation time. Research type: desk study, sampling & experiments (HZ, Vlissingen) Research level: minor/internship (BSc.) Perquisite: preferably affinity with biology, analytical skills, driving license
Effect of light intensity and temperature on biomass productivity and content of Skeletonema costatum	1 februari 2018	30 juni 2018	In this research the microalgae diatom Skeletonema costatum will be examined. The influence of light intensity and temperature on the behavior of Skeletonema and the results on the photosynthetic yield will be obtained. Biological parameters to describe this behavior will be studied using lab scale photo-bioreactors (PBRS).
Effect of predation by the crab Carcinus maenas and shrimp Crangon crangon on the survivalrate of shellfish Venerupis decussatus	1 februari 2017	30 juni 2017	To investigate whether cultivation of Manila clams is feasible and commercially interesting for grow-out production in the Eastern Scheldt, we want to conduct field- and laboratory studies. Predation by common shore crab (Carcinus maenas) and brown shrimp (Crangon crangon) is of major importance for Manila clam survival, particularly for spat.
Efficiency of fishing gear in extensive mussel culture	1 februari 2018	30 juni 2018	Quantify and visualize mussel dredge performance, by means of under water video cameras. This research involves field work (on mussel vessels), video analysis, technical improvements on dredges. Research level: minor/internship/final thesis (BSc. level). Perquisite: Driver license, Dutch speaking, technical skills, dedicated and creative.
Eradication of oyster drill egg capsules	1 februari 2018	30 juni 2018	Oyster farmers want to find a way to eradicate oyster drill egg capsules, after fishing the oysters from the bottom plot. For example by exposing oysters with egg capsules to warm water, acid, ultra sound or other treatments that can be performed on an oyster vessel. This will be performed by means of practical lab-experiments and additional literature research.
Exploratory study to combat brittle stars on mussel culture plots	1 februari 2018	30 juni 2018	We would like to know more on the behavior of brittle stars and want to devise a method or procedure which can prevent Ophiotrix fragilis from climbing on top of mussels or come up with a fishing technique that helps removing Ophiotrix fragile of the mussel beds.
Modeling shellfish production	1 februari 2017	30 juni 2017	Optimizing various near shore shellfish culture in Lake Veere and Oosterschelde in the South West Delta Region by means of a production model. Research type: literature/desk study (BSc.) Research level: minor/internship Prerequisite: good understanding of ecology, biology of shellfish and hydrology; good analytical and mathematical skills; good planning skills
Modelling sustainable use of process streams in ragworm culture	1 februari 2018	30 juni 2018	What determines the composition and total amount of the process streams in ragworm farming? How can process streams be used in an optimal way? To get a better insight in the implication of the use of ragworm waste water for algae production on a large scale, a production model might be a useful tool. In the model, the gathered data of previous experiments on mass balances and field situation, together with other available data should be combined.
Near-shore seaweed culture	1 februari 2018	30 juni 2018	This research will focus on the determination of suitable locations for these seaweed farms in the region of Zeeland. The approach is 2-sided. On one hand the study will use available maps and GIS as a tool. On the other hand, important input about suitable locations comes from stakeholder consultation sessions. Where it is possible, also local secondary school scholars will be involved in the process.
Optimization of diatom (Skeletonema costatum) production in vertically stacked horizontal tubular photobioreactors	1 september 2016	31 januari 2017	Develop a cultivation plan for Skeletonema costatum Research type: literature study, experiments (HZ, Vlissingen) Research level: minor / internship / final thesis (BSc./MSc. level) Prerequisite: good understanding of biology/chemistry; good analytical skills; communicative.
Oyster drill feeding preference	1 februari 2018	30 juni 2018	This research will focus on predation preference of oyster drills on different sizes, origin and species of oysters. The research will be performed in the field, in the season that oyster drills are hypothetically most active. The experiments will be carried out in enclosures, which have to be tested for effectiveness beforehand to keep oyster drills from escaping. Keep in mind that you have to work with the tide, to be able to access your experiments, and will have to work outside office hours as well.
Oyster drill mobility	1 februari 2018	30 juni 2018	Since three years the Japanese oyster drill (Ocinebrellus inornatus) has become a big threat to oyster cultivation in the Oosterschelde and other systems in the South Western Delta of the Netherlands. Since there are gaps in knowledge or contradicting evidence about general oyster drill behavior (mobility, predation activity, predation preference and how it relates to season/temperature), practical research experiments are necessary. This research will focus on mapping the mobility of oyster drills in the field, ideally with tracking transponders, and if possible analyze how mobility is related to water temperature.
Performance of the Japanese oysterdrill (Ocinebrellus inornatus) in the intertidal off-bottom culture of oysters	1 september 2016	31 januari 2017	The oyster drill (a marine snail) forms a threat to the oysters in the Eastern Scheldt. This research aims to compare oyster drill performance under on-bottom and off-bottom circumstances in order to assess the threat for the oyster culture sector. Research type: desk study, sampling (fieldwork) & experiments (HZ, Vlissingen) Research level: minor/internship (BSc.) Perquisite: technical skills, dedicated, creative, preferably affinity with biology, precise.
Postponing nutrient uptake by algae in ragworm culture	1 februari 2018	30 juni 2018	A position is available to do a quick scan on the different possible substances to postpone nutrient uptake by algae in ragworm ponds, involving lab-scale experiments to investigate the effect on ragworms. The main question would be which non-harmful and non-toxic substances can be used to increase turbidity and can easily be removed later in the process to prevent or postpone nutrient uptake by algae in the ponds without affecting ragworm condition and growth.
Productiefactoren Mosselcultuur Oosterschelde	1 september 2013	1 januari 2017	In het project PROFMOS, dat staat voor ‘Productiefactoren Mosselcultuur Oosterschelde’, wordt onderzoek gedaan naar het kweken van mosselen in de Oosterschelde. Mosselkwekers willen graag weten welke factoren het rendement van mosselen op hun bodempercelen bepalen én met welke kweekmaatregelen ze het rendement van hun productie kunnen vergroten.
Protocol for seasonal vitality of mussels when treated with fresh water to reduce starfish predation	1 februari 2018	30 juni 2018	We want to know more about the vitality of the different mussel sizes and condition over the different seasons in a year and want to know what the impact of the freshwater treatment on this vitality does. The challenge is to find the optimal duration of this treatment, given the factors that affect this, by which the mussels will not suffer extra mortality and the starfish will not be active anymore.
Rhodomonas cultivation under different light intensity and nutrients availability	1 september 2017	31 januari 2018	Rhodomonas is a cryptophyte species, which exploits phycoerythrin 545 (PE545) as the primary light-harvesting antenna. In this project Rhodomonas will be cultivated under different light wavelength and intensities in order to investigate the changes in phycoerythrin composition. Research type: literature study, experiments (Sealab HZ, Vlissingen) Research level: minor / internship / final thesis (BSc./MSc. level) Prerequisite: good understanding of biology; analytical background
Temporal variation in mussel performance- role of aggregation and mussel density on mussel patch scale	1 februari 2018	30 juni 2018	Competition inhibits mussel growth and promotes mussel losses. Simultaneously mussels need each other for protection, a facilitation effect that might be more beneficial at higher densities. We expect that food levels play an important role in the relation between competition and facilitation. This is tested in a field experiment where the effect of mussel density and fluctuations in food levels, are related to mussel aggregation and performance.
The effect of biologic parameters on the productivity and efficiency of photosynthesis within the marine algae Rhodomonas sp.	1 september 2017	31 januari 2018	The influence of light, temperature and pH on the behaviour of microalgae and the results on the photosynthetic yield and productivity is a behaviour of the algae that is species specific. Biological parameters used to describe this behaviour will be studied using lab scale photo-bioreactors (PBRS). Research type: literature study, experiments (HZ, Vlissingen) Research level: MSc internship / final thesis Prerequisite: basic understanding of algae cultivation; biochemistry; good analytical skills; communicative; independent.
Transport costs for mussels- adaptations after sudden changes in food quality	1 september 2016	31 januari 2017	Measuring adaptation in the feeding apparatus of mussels (weight of gills and palps and their ratio). Research type: lab work/experiments (HZ) Research level: minor/internship (BSc. level) Prerequisite: good dissection skills, exactitude, interest in biology/ecology.

Past student assignments Aquaculture

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