Isotope Ecophysiology
The Isotope Ecophysiology Lab uses isotopes to investigate physiological processes of photosynthetic organisms—such as microalgae, macroalgae and plants. Our work focuses on the functional traits that govern how these organisms respond to environmental change and influence global biogeochemical cycles. Our research aims to link organismal physiology with Earth System dynamics, contributing to a better understanding of how environmental stressors impact primary producers, trophic interactions, and elemental cycling.
What we do
The lab applies stable isotope and biomarker-based approaches to study ecophysiological traits relevant to the role of algae in global processes. Our research supports:
- Investigating trophic strategies (e.g. mixotrophy, osmotrophy, phagotrophy) and metabolic plasticity
- Tracing the assimilation and partitioning of carbon and nitrogen under variable environmental conditions
- Exploring organismal responses to stressors such as light, salinity, hypoxia, nutrients, and temperature
- Linking cellular-level processes to biogeochemical fluxes and proxy signals
- Developing and calibrating palaeoenvironmental proxies from experimental systems
Facilities and equipment
The Isotope Ecophysiology Lab is currently undergoing refurbishment to expand its capabilities, particularly for the cultivation and experimental manipulation of photosynthetic protists.
Current Experimental Systems
128 remotely monitored mesocosms support experimental manipulations simulating global change scenarios, including combinations of temperature, ocean acidification, hypoxia, light, and salinity. These mesocosms allow for the investigation of physiological and ecological responses in marine systems and provide a platform to calibrate and validate palaeoenvironmental proxies.
Future Development
The lab is being reconfigured to include a dedicated photobioreactor suite, which will comprise:
- Continuous culture systems
- Controlled-environment culture cabinets for temperature and light regulation
- Laminar flow hoods and sterile benches for handling algal and protist cultures
- Infrastructure to support isotopic labelling, nutrient manipulation, and experimental ecophysiology
