2023 activitiesSpringSummerAutumnWinter
Continuation of algal mat sampling and monitoring at four test sitesJanuary to March
Monitoring and analysis of sugar kelp nitrate uptake experimentJanuary to March
Mapping of algal matsJanuary to February
All partners attending end-of-project meeting and workshopMarch
Further data analysis, and preparation of reports and articles for sharingJanuary to June
Project ends: benefits review and lessons learntJune to July
2022 activitiesSpringSummerAutumnWinter
Continuation of worm study and generate feedFebruaryJune to October
Deploy sugar kelp nitrate uptake experimentJuly to December
Algal mat removal and monitoring at four test sitesApril to August
Collect additional seaweed samples for chemical analysisMayJulySeptember
Analysis of environmental data and mapping of algal matsJune to August
RaNTrans workshops and conferencesSeptember to October
2021 activitiesSpringSummerAutumnWinter
Oyster experiments in Poole and PortsmouthThroughout the year
Algal mat removal and monitoring at the four test sitesFrom April to December
Seaweed culture experiments beginFrom April to June
Monthly sampling for algal mat monitoringThroughout the year
Collect seaweed samples for bioactive chemicalsAprilJuneSeptember
First feeding experiment with multiple species of marine wormJanuary to February
Test seaweed densities for optimum growthApril to May
Generate feed from optimum marine worm speciesSeptember to October

The project RaNTrans schedule of activities in 2022-2023 covers distinct seasonal work. The continuation of worm study and generate feed protocol is planned for spring and autumn. Open water deployment of seaweed sugar kelp nitrate experiment is planned for autumn and winter.

Seaweed algal mat sampling, removal, and chemical analysis as well as environmental analysis and mapping are planned for summer through to late autumn. An information sharing workshop and conference sessions are planned for autumn and winter.

The 2021 schedule of planned project activities were similar. Monthly sampling and monitoring of oysters’ units and algal mat was conducted in spring, summer, autumn, and winter. Algal mat removal from all 4 study sites started in summer through to winter. Planning for seaweed open water culture experiment started in summer for installations in autumn. Bioactive chemical analysis of collected seaweed started in late spring through to late autumn. First feeding experiment of multiple species of marine worms as well as identification of optimum performing worm species was done in summer, winter, and spring.

For more information on each Work Package (WP), please see the options below.

Removing seaweed mechanically by boat could rapidly decrease the effects of algal mats on both sediment and benthic macrofauna…

Culturing seaweeds to help reduce nutrients in coastal waters could offer a novel approach to algal mat problem areas…

Could feeding algal mats to marine polychaetes give us a new aquaculture feed?

Testing a number of ways to grow oysters and their ability to remediate nutrients could help reduce algal mat coverage…

Are there some new and exciting chemicals to be found in algal mats that can be exploited for other industries?