News

We welcome a new master student Jerin Trinquet in our group

As part of Jerin's master’s thesis in Environmental Sciences, she studies how recycled mussel shells can help remove CO₂ from the atmosphere. Shellfish aquaculture provides a sustainable food source but still generates considerable CO₂ emissions, especially when shells are burned after consumption. By returning shells to marine sediment, this thesis investigates how they influence water and sediment chemistry, with a particular focus on CO₂ uptake.

Benjamin Van Heurck is currently working at the Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies (IMAS) in Hobart, Australia. His research explores an innovative way to help the ocean absorb more carbon dioxide (CO₂), the main greenhouse gas driving climate change.

Specifically, Benjamin is testing whether addition of industrial waste products from the cement and lime industries can safely make seawater more alkaline. This approach, known as ocean alkalinity enhancement (OAE), could boost the ocean’s natural ability to store CO₂.

Using natural seawater and plankton communities collected in the Derwent River Estuary, Benjamin’s experiment studies how these mineral additions affect both the chemistry of the water and the health of the ecosystem. His findings will help determine whether OAE could be a safe and effective tool for reducing CO₂ in the atmosphere, contributing to the mitigation of global climate change

We welcome a new master student Rob Sebrechts in our group

For his master's thesis, Rob studies the availability, production, and reactivity of iron (hydr)oxide minerals and industrial by-products for use in enhanced sulfide burial as a novel carbon dioxide removal approach.

Cedric Goossens is currently in New Zealand, studying how the coastal seafloor naturally stores atmospheric CO₂. He is also looking at how these processes might change in the future due to ocean acidification or alkalinization. His work will help improve predictions of the ocean’s role in mitigating climate change and guide strategies to enhance CO₂ storage in the ocean.

The GeoBiology team enjoyed a wonderful picnic in Kruibeke! Surrounded by the beautiful scenery of the polders and floodplains, we shared good food and great conversations. It was the perfect opportunity to connect outside of work and recharge in nature. A few hours well spent in great company!

Scientists Astrid Hylén and Gunter Flipkens unravel the Coastal Carbon research and explain the role of alkalinity and how the ocean plays a crucial role to mitigate climate change today and in the future.  

Kennismakers: op speeddate met Astrid Hylén en Gunter Flipkens |  FWO

The new high-tech research vessel, RV Belgica, is sailing to the polar regions for the first time to document and study the consequences of climate change in the oceans. Belgian newspaper De Standaard was allowed onboard the ship for a week to take a closer look at our setups and interview Filip Meysman on our most recent findings. 

Met de Belgica naar IJsland: ‘De oceaan is de enige plek op aarde waar je nog echt iets kunt ontdekken’ | De Standaard 

After the DEHEAT research campaign with RV Belgica in Iceland, French-language public broadcaster RTBF interviewed PhD student Bui Winter (ULB) and cruise chief scientist Sebastiaan van de Velde on the goal and recent findings of the field campaign.

Le basalte d’Islande peut absorber le C02 dans l’atmosphère, l’incroyable découverte d’une mission belge dans le Grand Nord | RTBF 

RV Belgica left the port of Zeebrugge for a two-month scientific adventure to Ireland, Iceland and Greenland, the longest voyage of the ship so far. Days before the departure, scientists were busy making sure to pack all the equipment needed (and some more) for all planned experiments and sampling sessions. Onboard were also researchers from the DEHEAT project. VRT and RTBF news came to take a look during loading day. 

VRT NWS journaal – dinsdag 6 juni 2023 om 19:00 | VRT MAX (check 42:30 – 45:04)and Belgica II : Cap scientifique vers le Groenland – 06/06/2023 | RTBF 

Cable bacteria in French popular science magazine

VRT news visited the site experimental site in Ostend. 

Olivijn in zee strooien om CO2 uit de lucht te halen: geen sciencefiction meer, maar op welke schaal kan het en wanneer? | VRT NWS: nieuws