The project in a nutshell:
This project will investigate volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in Lake Geneva. The dynamics of these short-lived trace gases remain poorly understood in freshwater ecosystems despite their crucial role in atmospheric chemistry, air pollution, and ecological interactions.
The project aims to:
1) quantify lake-atmosphere VOC exchange using eddy covariance setups;
2) characterize their vertical distribution in the water column, linking it to physical and biogeochemical processes; and
3) develop models connecting lake volatilomes to ecological health indicators for monitoring.
This work exceeds current research by providing comprehensive temporal coverage of diverse VOCs, examining high-resolution time-depth dynamics, and integrating physical processes with ecological indicators. The results will enhance understanding of freshwater biogeochemical processes and air-water interactions and establish innovative aquatic monitoring practices using VOC variability as a key ecosystem health indicator.
This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon Europe research and innovation programme under the Marie Skłodowska-Curie grant agreement No 101210779. Views and opinions expressed are those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the Research Executive Agency. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them
Team members
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- Mehrshad Foroughan, researcher – Center for Volatile Interactions, Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen (UCPH)
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- Riikka Rinnan, Professor – Center for Volatile Interactions, Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen (UCPH)
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- Damien Bouffard, Professor, Department Surface Waters Research & Management, Eawag
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