On this page, a short selection of our recent projects is listed:

 

2016

Monitoring and valuation of sand-suppletions on edges of sandbanks in the Western Scheldt - ongoing project

 

 

Blue Nodules - ongoing project

 


2015


Discard valorisation - finished project

 


ENAlgae Seaweed analysis - finished project

 

 

ViBeg; analysis KBWOT data - finished project

 

 

T0-sampling of N2000-areas in the Dutch Northsea using a bottom-dredge - finished project

 

 

2014


Layout for an ecosystemvision of the Flemish coastal zone  - ongoing project

 

 

Legal framework on deapsea mining in Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction - ongoing project

 

 

Protection of biodiversity in Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction - ongoing project

 

 

AquaValue - finished project

 


Monitoring of floating debri and microplastics in the Leie - finished project

 

 

Development eProbe - ongoing project

 

 

Monitoring Ameland - finished project

 

 

2013

 

Monitoring ecology of soft substrate benthos offshore windmillpark - finished project- report available

 

 

Monitoring ecology hard substrate benthos offshore windmillpark - finished project - report available

 

 

Ecological succession Masterplan Coastal Safety - finished project - report available

 



2012


PharmaSea "Increasing value and flow in the marine biodiscovery pipeline" - Ongoing project


This FP7 project focuses on overcoming chronic obstacles in the marine biodiscovery pipeline. PharmaSea brings together a broad interdisciplinary team of academic and industry researchers and specialists to characterize and provide solutions for obstacles which currently impede marine biodiscovery research, development and commercialization. Within PharmaSea eCOAST leads a work package on "Ethics, policy and legal aspects of access to Marine Genetic Resources (MGRs)". eCOAST will facilitate the convening of an expert Advisory Board and workshops to harness the expertise of MGR practitioners, legal experts, policy advisors/makers and other stakeholders towards harmonizing current policy and governance frameworks concerning access to, and utilization of, MGRs. eCOAST will also oversee the production of a web-based, interactive, user toolkit to provide scientists and SMEs with practical guidance on how to secure access to marine genetic resources. The four-year PharmaSea project began in October 2012.

 


MaCuMBA "Improved cultivation efficiency of marine microorganisms" - ongoing project

 

The FP7 MaCuMBA project aims to develop improved cultivation efficiencies for the isolation of new marine microorganism and, in so doing to, enhance their biotechnological applications. It involves the development of novel approaches and methodologies, including high-throughput procedures; using a wide variety of samples from different marine environments. eCOAST have responsibility for specific targeted outreach and communication activities, namely the production of policy briefs, documentary films and legacy brochures.

 


Ecotoxicological Sediment Study- ongoing project

 

eCoast is implementing ecotoxicological testing of samples from a polluted watercourse.

 


Ecological Effects of Coastal Maintenance - ongoing project

 

Since 2009 eCOAST has been involved in long-term research on the ecological effects of coastal maintenance in the Netherlands. In 2012 eCOAST worked together with Deltares, the Fieldwork Company and ILVO on the beach and subtidal benthos off the coast of Ameland and Schiermonnikoog, where in 2010 and 2011 a large-scale sand nourishment took place. In spring 2013, the results of the first 4 years of research will be evaluated.


Ecological monitoring soft substrate benthos at an offshore wind farm - ongoing project.

 

eCOAST, together with the Fieldwork Company, is examining the effects of an offshore wind farm on the benthos underneath and around the site of the farm. Samples were collected in the spring of 2012 and are currently undergoing laboratory analyses by eCOAST.


Organization of the Littoral 2012 Congress - Project completed, final report published.

 

eCoast together with EUCC and a number of local partners was involved in organizing the bi-annual Littoral conference on coastal management. This year's theme was 'coasts of tomorrow'. For more information and to read the final report, see www.littoral2012.eu.

 

 

 

2011

 

Offshore wind and aquaculture - ongoing project

 

In this project, we look at technical, technological, socio-economical and legislative aspects of combining offshore wind farms with aquaculture. This project is a cooperation between eCOAST and two research groups at Ghent University.

 

 

Ecotoxicological research of fresh water lake soils - ongoing project

 

As part of a TRIADE water soil research project, a number of ecotoxicological tests have to be performed on the sampled sediments. These tests are executed in the eCOAST laboratory.

 


Control of algae in cooling water - ongoing project

 

With the dismantling of a nuclear reactor it is extremely important that the cooling water is sterile. Blooming of algae in particular can have a negative impact on operations. For the dismantling of a nuclear reactor eCOAST monitors the presence of algae at regular intervals.

 

 

 

2010


Research on the influence of replenishments on coastal ecosystems - summer 2010 till spring 2011 - report available soon

 

As part of a covenant with several NGOs, back in 2009 the Rijkswaterstaat decided to start a large-scale research on the influence of replenishments on coastal ecosystems. In 2010 eCOAST, who was commissioned by Deltares, started the ecological part of this research. The study area includes the North Sea coast of Ameland, where in 2009 and 2010 a large replenishment took place. Together with the Fieldwork Company, ILVO and Ghent University, eCOAST has sampled benthos from the beach and foreshore, as well as epibenthos and demersal fish.

 

 

Review ecological monitoring plans for offshore wind farm - fall 2010 - internal report

 

eCOAST has been asked by qualified authorities to act as an external expert to review the monitoring plans of soft and hard substrate benthos for an offshore wind farm, in the context of licensing regulations.

 

 

Beach Wildlife Cape Verde Islands - summer 2010 - internal report

 

In the context of a large-scale replenishment project on the Cape Verde Islands, eCOAST has contributed to the ecological impact study. Several samples of beach benthos were investigated by eCOAST in the laboratory.

 

 

Influence of electromagnetic radiation on fish, a review - summer 2010 - report available on request

 

One of the possible influences on the ecosystem caused by construction of an offshore wind farm, is the electromagnetic radiation caused by electricity cables. In particular Chondrichthyes, like sharks and Batoidea, could be sensitive to this kind of radiation. As a supplement to the environmental impact study, eCOAST has made e review of the existing knowledge about the influence of electromagnetic radiation on fish.