Maria van Leeuwe
Maria is a marine biologist, with a life-long fascination for the Antarctic regions. She has an expertise in marine microalgae that live in the ocean and in the sea ice. She is mostly involved in international collaborations (with for instance Germany, United Kingdom, Norway), and participated in many expeditions to Antarctica. Maria is currently participating in 2 projects.
The international project WOBEC (Weddell Sea Observatory of Biodiversity and Ecosystem Change) is funded under the European Unions flagship programme BiodivMon. WOBEC aims to develop a monitoring strategy for the eastern Weddell Sea, in close collaboration with stakeholders. This monitoring programme can contribute to the establishment of the Weddell Sea Marine Protected Area (WSMAP).
MACS (The key role of mixotrophy in Antarctic carbon and sulphur cycles) is NWO-funded. This project focusses on “mixotrophs”: microalgae that not only photosynthesize, but also get energy from the consumption of organic particles. One of the products that possibly plays a central role in the life-strategy of these mixotrophs is a sulphur containing compound (DMSP in short), which also acts as a climate-active component. MACS hopes to resolve the question how microalgae survive the harsh polar winter, and how these species influence the global climate.
| Last modified: | 19 June 2025 5.52 p.m. |