Aquaculture of red seaweeds in Europe
This is a suggestion for a Degree Project for Bachelor's and Master's levels at the Department of Marine Sciences. Degree projects at the Department of Marine Sciences are done independently and must be written and assessed individually.
Subject: Marine Biology
Level: BSc and MSc students
Start date: Flexible
Supervisor: Alexandra Kinnby
Project background
Seaweed aquaculture has been identified as a key tool to provide protein for the increasing global population in a manner that minimizes energy inputs and human impacts on the environment. In Europe, seaweed aquaculture is currently focussed on brown and green species that are easier to cultivate. Red species, like Palmaria palmata and Chondrus crispus, have higher protein contents and are more economically viable, but are also harder to cultivate effectively.
This project is a multinational collaboration which aims to streamline and optimize cultivation of these species to improve the European and Swedish aquaculture sectors.
Project Description
The goal of this project is to improve the cultivation practices of red seaweeds in Sweden. We will be conducting practical experiments focussed on different aspects of seaweed cultivation in order to determine how best to maximize factors like growth, biochemical composition, or reproductive control.
This project includes field work, experimental work, and lab work, and there is scope within the project for multiple students to focus on specific areas of interest at the same time.
Contact
Alexandra Kinnby,
researcher
Email: alexandra.kinnby@marine.gu.se