Limnotrons

The facility

The limnotrons are nine stainless steel indoor mesocosms with a high level of control. The dimensions are: 0.97 m in diameter, depth between 1.32 m (side) and 1.37 m (centre), volume of 922L. The vessels can be closed with a removable PMMA flange lid. In addition to the possibility of sampling vertically with specifically designed integrated water samples, sampling can also be done by using the sampling ports positioned at three depths. Wall growth is prevented by an impeller made of PMMA, with a stainless steel axis and a silicon rubber strip between the outside and the wall. To create different types of mixing more tailored to growth of cyanobacterial scums, oscillating grids have been designed.

Originally designed to study pelagic communities, the limnotrons have been adapted to allow for a benthic community as well. Each limnotron can have a sediment layer of 10–15 cm, and with recently purchased high intensity lights, a macrophyte community can be established in these mesocosms. A specific feature of the limnotrons is its thermostatically regulated microprocessor-controlled temperature regulation system, which enables thermal stratification and allows for running complicated temperature scenarios, including episodic events. Volume differences due to temperature settings, evaporation losses and sampling are compensated by a (refillable) expansion vessel. CO2 levels can be manipulated by providing different CO2/air mixtures with a WITT KM60-2ME gas mixer. 

Research topics

Climate change, emerging pollutants, eutrophication, restoration ecology

References

• Cabrerizo, M. J., Álvarez-Manzaneda, M. I., León-Palmero, E., Guerrero-Jiménez, G., de Senerpont Domis, L. N., Teurlincx, S., & González-Olalla, J. M. (2020). Warming and CO2 effects under oligotrophication on temperate phytoplankton communities. Water Research 173, 115579. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.watres.2020.115579.
• Kazanjian, G., Velthuis, M., Aben, R., Stephan, S., Peeters, E.T.H.M., Frenken, T., Touwen, J., Xue, F., Kosten, S., Van De Waal, D.B., de Senerpont Domis, L.N., Van Donk, E., Hilt, S. (2018) Impacts of warming on top-down and bottom-up controls of periphyton production. Scientific Reports 8. CiteScore= 4.36
• Aben, R.C.H., Barros, N., Van Donk, E., Frenken, T., Hilt, S., Kazanjian, G., Lamers, L.P.M., Peeters, E.T.H.M., Roelofs, J.G.M., de Senerpont Domis, L.N., Stephan, S., Velthuis, M., Van De Waal, D.B., Wik, M., Thornton, B.F., Wilkinson, J., Delsontro, T., Kosten, S. (2017) Cross continental increase in methane ebullition under climate change. Nature Communications 8.
• Velthuis, M., de Senerpont Domis, L.N., Frenken, T., Stephan, S., Kazanjian, G., Aben, R., Hilt, S., Kosten, S., Van Donk, E., Van De Waal, D.B. (2017) Warming advances top-down control and reduces producer biomass in a freshwater plankton community. Ecosphere 8. https://doi.org/10.1002/ecs2.1651.
• Verschoor, A. M., Takken, J., Massieux, B., & Vijverberg, J. (2003). The Limnotrons: a facility for experimental community and food web research. Hydrobiologia 491 (1–3), 357–377. https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1024444702289.

Running period (guaranteed funding)

2017 – 2021: EU-RI Project AQUACOSM
2020 - 2024: EU-RI Project AQUACOSM-plus

Equipment / facilities

Equipment and facilities available for analysing mesocosm data are described in the factsheets on aquatic laboratories and on the flowcytometry and cell sorting lab.    

Data management 

Data collected under Transnational Access funding as provided by AQUACOSM and AQUACOM-Plus have to comply with the Data Management Plan that can be found at https://www.aquacosm.eu/transnational-access/aquacosm/. Data collected outside Transnational Access funding are managed according to the NIOO Research data policy, which is in compliance with FAIR data guidelines. 

Available datasets

Datasets generated under Transnational Access funding can be found at the AQUACOSM metadataportal (https://www.aquacosm.eu/geonetwork/srv/eng/catalog.search#), where the doi of the dataset is provided as well. All data collected under Transnational Access are open for access to third partners. Datasets collected outside Transnational Access funding are available through DRYAD (arising from publications) or upon request (not covered in publications).

Conditions for access

Access to the limnotrons may be facilitated through transnational access funding available through AQUACOSM and AQUACOSM-plus. Details on the requirements for Transnational Access can be found at https://www.aquacosm.eu/mesocosm/limnotrons/