Research portfolio delta_academy_s2_2014_2015

RESEARCH PORTFOLIO ASSIGNMENTS FEBRUARY 2015 - JUNE 2015

DA - APPLIED RESEARCH CENTRE DECEMBER 2014

TABLE OF CONTENTS DELTA APPLIED RESEARCH CENTRE ............................................................................................... 1

RESEARCH GROUP AQUACULTURE IN DELTA AREAS ...................................................................... 3

CULTIVATING RED MOSQUITO LARVAE .......................................................................................................... 3

LIVE FEED FOR FISH LARVAE: COPEPODS ........................................................................................................ 3

MODELLING SHELLFISH PRODUCTION ............................................................................................................ 4

REPRODUCTION OF SEAWEED ........................................................................................................................ 4

IMPROVING PRODUCTON OF A LONGLINE MUSSEL CULTURE SYSTEM IN THE EASTERN SCHELDT ESTUARY 5

A COMPARISON OF OYSTER QUALITY BETWEEN OYSTERS FROM DIFFERENT PRODUCTION METHODS AND

ORIGIN ............................................................................................................................................................. 5

ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS OF OFF-BOTTOM OYSTER PRODUCTION ............................................................. 5

SHELLFISH PRODUCTION PARAMETERS IN OFF-BOTTOM AND IN-BOTTOM CULTURES IN THE DUTCH DELTA

........................................................................................................................................................................ 6

RELATION BETWEEN SURVIVAL AND SMALL SCALE SPATIAL ORGANIZATION OF MUSSELS AT DIFFERENT

DENSITIES AND FOOD LEVELS ......................................................................................................................... 6

REDUCING DISLOGMENT RISK OF MUSSEL SEED AFTER SEEDING IN ON-BOTTOM MUSSEL CULTURE.......... 6

MAPPING SPATIAL PATTERNS OF MUSSEL GROWTH AND MUSSEL LOSS ON CULTURE PLOTS IN THE

OOSTERSCHELDE ESTUARY ............................................................................................................................. 7

RESEARCH GROUP BUILDING WITH NATURE ................................................................................. 8

KICK-STARTING BIODIVERSITY ......................................................................................................................... 8

EXOTIC INVADERS ........................................................................................................................................... 9

QUANTIFYING BIOTIC EFFECTS ON SEDIMENT ERODIBILITY ........................................................................... 9

ARTIFICIAL OYSTER REEFS ON THE OESTERDAM SAFETY BUFFER PROJECT LOCATION ................................ 10

SEDIMENT DYNAMICS OF THE OESTERDAM SAND NOURISHMENT ............................................................. 10

CHANNEL DEVELOPMENT AT THE OESTERDAM NOURISHMENT ................................................................. 11

LOBSTER COLONIZATION OF A RICH FORESHORE AT SCHELPHOEK, EASTERN SCHELDT .............................. 11

OYSTER CULTURE ON DIKES .......................................................................................................................... 12

SALT MARSH DEVELOPMENT IN THE RAMMEGORS POLDER ....................................................................... 13

MULTIFUNCTIONAL DIKE USE IN THE SOUTH-WESTERN DELTA ................................................................... 13

INTERNSHIPS AND GRADUATION PROJECT OUTSIDE HZ ................................................................... 14

IDENTIFYING THE RELATION BETWEEN THE TRAITS OF INTERTIDAL-ORGANISM AND THE ECOSYSTEM

SERVICES THEY PROVIDE: CARBON STORAGE, COASTAL PROTECTION AND BIODIVERSITY ......................... 14

DEVELOPING KNOWLEDGE TO PRESERVE AND RESTORE VALUABLE COASTAL ECOSYSTEMS: A GLOBAL

STUDY ON SEAGRASSES, MANGROVES AND SALT MARSHES ....................................................................... 14

BIOGEOMORPHIC LANDSCAPE FORMATION BY ECOSYSTEM ENGINEERS: GENERALIZING ACROSS SPECIES

BY UNDERSTANDING THE ROLE OF ORGANISM TRAITS (PLANTS, ALGAE AND BENTHOS) ........................... 15

PROVIDING A MECHANISTIC UNDERSTANDING HOW TO MAXIMIZE COMBINED NATURE AND COASTAL

PROTECTION GOALS ...................................................................................................................................... 15

RESEARCH ASSIGNMENTS WATER TECHNOLOGY ......................................................................... 16

REUSE OF GREENHOUSE WASTEWATER ....................................................................................................... 16

ENHANCING THE BIODEGRADABILITY OF COOLING TOWER BLOWDOWN USING ADVANCED OXIDATION

PROCESSES .................................................................................................................................................... 16

REUSE OF PROCESS WATER AND WATER CONTENTS FROM POTATO INDUSTRY ......................................... 17

RECHARGE OF AGRICULTURAL WATER SUPPLY WITH PURIFIED WASTEWATER .......................................... 17

OPERATIONAL CHARACTERISTICS OF ULTRAFILTRATION PROCESSES .......................................................... 17

INTERNSHIPS AND GRADUATION PROJECTS OUTSIDE HZ ................................................................. 18

PILOT PLANT HARNASCHPOLDER ( DELFT, THE HAGUE), EVIDES & VEOLIA & ROSSMARK .......................... 18

DETERMINING THE OPTIMUM PROCESS CONDITIONS FOR PRETREATMENT AND NF FOR MILD

DESALINATION (DOW BENELUX, EVIDES) ..................................................................................................... 18

DOW BENELUX BV ......................................................................................................................................... 18

WETSUS ......................................................................................................................................................... 18

WATERSCHAP SCHELDESTROMEN – STAGE/AFSTUDEREN (NEDERLANDS), WISSELENDE ONDERWERPEN 18

WATERHOUDERIJ WALCHEREN – STAGE/AFSTUDEREN (NEDERLANDS), WISSELENDE ONDERWERPEN ..... 18

RESEARCH GROUP WATER SAFETY & SPATIAL PLANNING ............................................................ 19

ASSIGNMENT PROFESSIONALS AND SELF-RELIANT CITIZENS (COE PROJECT 2014-2016) ............................ 19

COMMUNITY RESILIENCE AND CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE ......................................................................... 20

COMMUNITY RESILIENCE AND ECONOMIC DRIVERS .................................................................................... 20

ASSIGNMENTS WATERPOORT ........................................................................................................... 21

(ECONOMIC) CONSEQUENCES FOR RECREATION ENTREPRENEURS, BY THE SALINIZATION AND THE

RETURN OF TIDES AT LAKE VOLKERAK-ZOOM .............................................................................................. 21

(ECONOMIC) CONSEQUENCES FOR FARMERS, BY A CHANGING WATERSYSTEM ........................................ 21

(ECOLOGIC) CONSEQUENCES FOR NATURE ORGANISATIONS, BY A CHANGING WATERSYSTEM ................ 22

EXPERIENCE OF THE INUNDATION AREAS OF THE SOUTH-WESTERN WATER LINE ...................................... 22

MULTIFUNCTIONAL DIKE USE IN THE SOUTH-WESTERN DELTA ................................................................... 23

FINAL THESIS PROJECTS OPPORTUNITIES AT PARTNER ORGANIZATIONS ......................................... 24

ASSIGNMENT FLOOD RESILIENT AREAS BY MULTILAYER SAFETY (FINAL THESIS AT SAFETY REGION) ......... 24

OTHER FINAL THESIS PROJECTS OPPORTUNITIES AT PARTNER ORGANIZATIONS ........................................ 24

Reservoir near DOW

Oyster cultivation in

SEA Lab

Oesterdam Safety Buffer

Project

Research Portfolio of the DA Applied Research Centre February - June 2015 1

DELTA APPLIED RESEARCH CENTRE De Delta Academy richt haar onderwijs en haar onderzoek primair op hbo en hbo+ niveau. Het Delta Academy

Applied Research Centre (DA-ARC) is een onderdeel van de Delta Academy. Hier werken meer dan 30

docent/onderzoekers aan heel verschillend onderzoek in vier onderzoekgroepen op het gebied van

Watertechnologie, Veiligheid en Gebiedsinrichting, Aquacultuur in Deltagebieden en Bouwen met Natuur.

Het type onderzoek dat in de Delta Academy wordt uitgevoerd is praktijkgericht onderzoek. Daaronder wordt

onderzoek verstaan dat uitgevoerd wordt voor en samen met bedrijven, overheden en kennisinstituten in de

regio en daarbuiten. Het onderzoek genereert nieuwe kennis en inzichten, maar levert ook praktisch

toepasbare producten en concrete oplossingen voor praktijkproblemen. Zo kan het onderzoek in de Delta

Academy bijvoorbeeld door universiteiten ontwikkelde kennis toepasbaar maken voor bedrijven. Veel

ontwikkelde kennis is namelijk niet zomaar geschikt voor directe toepassing in de praktijk; door het toegepaste

onderzoek van de hogescholen komt de kennis ter beschikking van bedrijven in de vorm van bijvoorbeeld

producten en ontwerpen. De Delta Academy sluit aan bij de ambitie en de beleidsmatige ruimte van de

Provincie Zeeland om het deltagebied ook als laboratorium te benutten.

Het onderzoek kent een nauwe relatie met het onderwijs via de bijdrage aan onderwijsactiviteiten, via

cursussen, veldwerk en laboratorium onderzoek. Veel studenten zijn via de onderzoekgroepen bij bedrijven

aan de slag in stages, minoren en afstudeerprojecten.

Studenten die geïnteresseerd zijn in een stage of onderzoeksminor kunnen hun belangstelling kenbaar maken

aan de hand van een motivatiebrief. Motivatiebrieven graag voor februari 2015 indienen bij de contactpersoon

van de onderzoeksgroep van uw keuze:

Aquacultuur in Deltagebieden: Jouke Heringa – [email protected]

Building with Nature: Carla Pesch – [email protected]

Water Technologie: Hans Cappon – [email protected]

Waterveiligheid en ruimtelijke ordening: Jean-Marie Buijs – [email protected]

Zie ook

http://hz.nl/nl/werkenleren/Kennisdeling%20en%20samenwerking/Applied%20Research%20Center/Pages/Ap

plied-Research-Center.aspx op de HZ website voor verdere informatie over de onderzoekgroepen.

Zie https://nl-nl.facebook.com/HZDeltaAcademy voor actuele informatie over onderzoek en onderwijs

http://hz.nl/nl/werkenleren/Kennisdeling%20en%20samenwerking/Applied%20Research%20Center/Pages/Applied-Research-Center.aspx


https://nl-nl.facebook.com/HZDeltaAcademy


******* ENGLISH TEXT ****************************************************************

The Delta Academy, is primarily focused on Bachelor level education and research. The Delta Academy Applied

Research Centre (DA-ARC) is part of the Delta Academy. Within the DA-ARC four research groups exist, focusing

on Water Technology, Aquaculture in Delta Areas, Safety and Spatial Development and Building with Nature.

More than 30 part time researchers of DA-ARC are involved in research. Within the Delta Academy three

international bachelor studies are working together with the research groups.

The research that is carried out in the DA-ARC is applied research. This research is carried out in close

collaboration with various clients, such as commercial firms (SME) and public institutes in the Netherlands ,

sometimes in international consortia. The research produces new knowledge and insights and delivers practical

solutions and products to the clients.

DA-ARC research is linked to education programs in the Delta Academy through courses, fieldwork and work in

our laboratory facility SEA Lab. Many students that work in our research groups are linked with our clients

through internships, minors and research-assignments.

Students that are interested in an internship, research minor or final thesis can apply by sending a motivation

letter. Motivation letters are to be sent preferably before February 2015. Please send your letter to the contact

person for the research group of your interest:

Aquaculture in Delta Areas: Jouke Heringa – [email protected]

Building with Nature: Carla Pesch – [email protected]

Water Technology: Hans Cappon – [email protected]

Water safety and Spatial Planning: Jean-Marie Buijs – [email protected]

Also check

http://hz.nl/nl/werkenleren/Kennisdeling%20en%20samenwerking/Applied%20Research%20Center/Pages/Ap

plied-Research-Center.aspx for further information on the research groups. See https://nl-

nl.facebook.com/HZDeltaAcademy for our actual status of our research and education.






RESEARCH GROUP AQUACULTURE IN DELTA AREAS Research group Aquaculture in Delta Areas of the Delta Academy has its focus on sustainable saline

aquaculture in and outside the region Zeeland. Aquaculture is the controlled production of saline crops, algae,

seaweed, ragworms, shellfish and fish. Cultivation of these organisms can take place in several (intensive and

extensive) ways. The research group Aquaculture has built up an extensive network of Small and Medium

Enterprises (SME), consultancies and knowledge institutes involved in aquaculture in and outside the

Netherlands. The main research topics are; Integrated Multi Trophic Aquaculture (IMTA), new species to the

Dutch situation (such as lobster and abalone), improvement of cultivation environments, groundwater

suitability, quality aspects in shellfish cultivation and algae cultivation.

The research group Aquaculture uses a full-fledged research facility SEA Lab, in which many applied research

(experiments) are carried out.

More information about research possibilities of this group: Jouke Heringa: [email protected]

Please send your application and motivation letters to Jouke Heringa. Motivation letters are to be handed in

preferably before February 2015.

CULTIVATING RED MOSQUITO LARVAE In the aquarium / ornamental fish industry fish are usually fed with high-quality fish feed in the form of aquatic

organisms. Organisms such as tubifex , prawns , brine shrimp and various species of mosquito larvae are fed in

frozen form ( blisters) as live feed. One of the most commonly used food organisms in the aquarium /

ornamental fish industry is the Red Mosquito larvae (Chironomidae) . The mosquito larvae are now imported

from eastern Europe (Ukraine). Due to the current unstable political situation in Ukraine and the improving

water quality worldwide, the company 3F Frozen Fish Food expects that the demand for Red Mosquito larvae

will exceed the natural production in the nearby future. This could lead to a market for farmed mosquito larvae

bloodworms.

In order to lower the production costs two processes have been identified: 1. Increase production, by means of

optimizing cultivation parameters (salinity, temperature and stocking density). 2 lower feed costs, by means of

feeding the mosquito larvae organic waste streams.

Research type: literature study, experiments (HZ, Vlissingen)

Research level: minor/ internship/final thesis (BSc. level)

Prerequisite: good understanding of biology; good analytical skills; communicative

Researcher involved: research group aquaculture (Wessel Bakhuizen and Jasper van Houcke)

Period: 2nd semester 2014-15

LIVE FEED FOR FISH LARVAE: COPEPODS In many cases live feeds are used in the first feeding phase of fish larvae. Research showed that use of

copepods has several advantages over the use of Artemia or rotifers: 1. Early life stages of copepods are

smaller than Artemia or rotifers and therefore more suitable for small fish larvae; 2. The swimming motions of

copepods seem to be more attractive to fish larvae; 3. The nutritional value of copepods is higher than for the

other live feed sources. Because of these reasons copepod eggs have a huge market potential and could be

exported worldwide. However besides producing copepod eggs and ensuring good quality of the eggs. The eggs

still have to be stored and transported in order to make shipping possible. Questions remain on the processing

steps and their relation with the quality and shelf life of the eggs.

Research type: literature study, experiments (HZ, Vlissingen)

Research level: minor / internship / final thesis (BSc./MSc. level)

Prerequisite: good understanding of biology/chemistry; good analytical skills; communicative

Researcher involved: research group aquaculture (Pim van Dalen and Jasper van Houcke)


mailto:[email protected]


MODELLING SHELLFISH PRODUCTION In September 2013 the RAAK PRO project ‘Saline production’ has been granted. This project involves a 4 year

study in optimizing various near shore shellfish culture in Lake Grevelingen, Lake Veere and Oosterschelde in

the South West Delta Region. Focus of the project is off bottom (in cages) oyster farming, bottom culture of

manila clams and cockles, and rope culture of mussels, all in close cooperation with local producers, companies

and research institutes (a.o. IMARES). Main goal of the project is to increase on site (farm-scale) shellfish

production, based on local (farm-scale) conditions. One of the activities of this project is the development of a

mathematical production model that can be used as a decision support tool for farmers.

In a previous phase of this project, a 0-D farm model has been developed in R. The model is based on an

generic growth model (the Dynamic Energy Budget model) and a model describing the population dynamics.

The input to the model are the starting conditions (species, amount and size) and the environmental conditions

(temperature and food). The output of the model is the development and production of the shellfish. By

varying input, users can run different scenarios and evaluate the effect of management options.

In a previous phase, simulations were made with data on temperature and food availability from fixed

monitoring locations of RWS. Since July 2014, on-site data on food availability (chlorophyll-a) and temperature

from the actual farms is available. With the model, the student(s) will perform model simulations in order to

get insight on density dependent food uptake and describe the relations for the different shellfish species

(mussels, oysters, clams and cockles) between stocking density and food uptake, and between food transport/

flow rate and food availability/uptake. The challenge is to preprocess the measured data on temperature and

food availability and analyze the model output using different input. The student will learn to work with

dynamic models using the open source software R. Student(s) will work closely together with researchers from

IMARES and research group Aquaculture in Delta Areas.

Research type: literature/desk study

Research level: minor/internship

Prerequisite: good understanding of ecology, biology of shellfish and hydrology; good analytical and

mathematical skills; good planning skills

Researcher involved: research group aquaculture (Tony van der Hiele) and IMARES

Period: 2st semester 2014-2015

REPRODUCTION OF SEAWEED The company Seaweed Harvest Holland is in the startup phase to farm seaweed in pond systems for human

consumption. At the moment they grow seaweed on a pilot scale level in a pond system in Colijnsplaat. For

different species of seaweed it is possible to buy starting material in the form of seaweed spores on lines.

Under the right circumstances the spores will grow out to harvestable seaweed. For one of the seaweed

species that Seaweed Harvest Holland wants to produce, the red seaweed species Gracilaria, it is not possible

to obtain the starting material at seaweed hatcheries.

Seaweed Harvest Holland wants to know how to reproduce Gracilaria in a controlled environment to produce

starting material for the pond systems. This research involves literature research to obtain information about

reproduction and grow-out techniques for Gracilaria. Based on literature and in cooperation with a seaweed

hatchery (Hortimare), the setup for experiments in the SEA Lab needs to be designed and build. Explorative lab

experiments to reproduce Gracilaria will be carried out in the SEA Lab. The aim of this research is to obtain

practical knowledge about controlled reproduction of Gracilaria.

Research type: lab experiments and literature study (HZ, Vlissingen)

Research level: minor/ internship/final thesis (both BSc. and MSc. level)

Prerequisite: good understanding of biology; good analytical skills; good literature search skills; good practical

skills; communicative

Researcher involved: research group aquaculture (Jorik Creemers)



IMPROVING PRODUCTON OF A LONGLINE MUSSEL CULTURE SYSTEM IN THE EASTERN SCHELDT

ESTUARY The largest longline mussel culture in the Eastern Scheldt is in a former harbor at Neeltje Jans, build during the

construction of the storm surge barrier. In longline culture mussels are attached to ropes, (longlines) and

socked in, from where they grow to consumption mussels in one or two years’ time. The culture area is semi-

enclosed, water exchange within this harbor is provided by only one connection to the Eastern Scheldt. Mussel

production on the longlines is dependent on environmental conditions, like food concentration in the water

column, current through the system and effects at culture systems scale, like mussel density, rope density and

rope depth. Within the framework of the PROFMOS project, research is done in close collaboration with the

mussel growing company on how production can be optimized. Several research topics will be addressed,

including estimating the effects of stratification, mussel density and variation in mussel size on the culture

ropes. These questions will be addressed by executing field experiments and incorporating results into a mussel

production model. This requires onshore and offshore fieldwork and good communication skills in order to

communicate with the mussel farmer at the culture site.

Research type: fieldwork including mussel and nutrient sampling (at Neeltje Jans), labwork including nutrient

analysis and (optional) modelling

Research level: internship/final thesis (both BSc. and MSc. level)

Perquisite: good understanding of biology, basic knowledge of hydrology, analytical skills, car license, good

planning skills, communication skills

Researchers involved: research group aquaculture (Eva Hartog and Jacob Capelle)


A COMPARISON OF OYSTER QUALITY BETWEEN OYSTERS FROM DIFFERENT PRODUCTION

METHODS AND ORIGIN Market demands for high quality oysters is higher current production in the Dutch delta. A group of oyster

growers are starting with a new initiative to culture oysters off-bottom, in baskets and bags (on tables).

Whether this method is successful and allows up-scaling, is dependent on the growth and quality of the oyster

from these production methods and the cost-price per oyster. Growth and quality should be better than for

oysters from on-bottom plots, which is the traditional oyster culture in The Netherlands and at least

comparable to oysters important from France. The objective of this assignment is to test differences in oyster

quality for the different oysters under study.

Research type: combination of field work and lab work

Research level: minor/internship (BSc. level)

Prerequisite: driving license, exactitude, good communication skills

Researcher involved: research group aquaculture (Jacob Capelle)


ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS OF OFF-BOTTOM OYSTER PRODUCTION Market demands for high quality oysters is higher than current production in the Dutch delta. A group of oyster

growers are starting with a new initiative to culture oysters off-bottom, in baskets and bags (on tables).

Structure of culture systems and activities around them will have an impact on the local environment. This

impact needs to be quantified. Impacts will be estimated by effects on bird disturbance, by quantifying effects

of culture activities on foraging bird species.

Research type: field work

Research level: minor/internship (BSc. level), preferably in combination with the previous topic

Prerequisite: driving license, bird identification skills




SHELLFISH PRODUCTION PARAMETERS IN OFF-BOTTOM AND IN-BOTTOM CULTURES IN THE DUTCH

DELTA This assignment falls within the framework of a project (Saline Production), in which optimization of shellfish

production by different innovative methods in the Dutch delta is investigated. Production is determined by

growth and survival of starting material, which are often juvenile shellfish. Culture systems and species under

research include: longline mussel culture, oysters (Crassostrea gigas and Ostrea edulis) in baskets, bags and

flupsies, carpet shells and cockles in-bottom on culture plots. We are looking for a student to take and process

samples from the different culture systems and analyze results on growth, mortality and quality (meat weight,

shell shape and fouling) as function of shellfish density, location within the culture system for different culture

systems and different culture areas.

Research type: combination of field work and lab work

Research level: internship (BSc.level)

Prerequisite: understanding of basic ecological principles, driving license, innovative

Researcher involved: research group aquaculture (Jouke Heringa and Jacob Capelle)


RELATION BETWEEN SURVIVAL AND SMALL SCALE SPATIAL ORGANIZATION OF MUSSELS AT

DIFFERENT DENSITIES AND FOOD LEVELS When mussels are equally spread, they will redistribute in structures like clumps or net-like structures. Relaying

of mussels is common practice in the aquaculture of mussels. An effect of this relaying process is a very large

mussel mortality. There are indications, from field observations, that this mussel mortality is related to the

redistribution process through competition, either for food or space. This hypothesis needs testing under

controlled conditions. Therefore, two experiments will be performed, one under equal and one under unequal

per capita food levels, with mussels in a range of densities. Spatial organization, survival and mussel condition

index will be compared between treatments.

Research type: controlled experiment

Research level: internship/final thesis (both BSc. and MSc. level)

Perquisite: good understanding of biology, analytical skills, dedicated



REDUCING DISLOGMENT RISK OF MUSSEL SEED AFTER SEEDING IN ON-BOTTOM MUSSEL CULTURE In on-bottom mussel culture mussel seed (small mussels) is seeded on culture plots, where they grow out to

consumption size. Mussels on culture plots experience large loss rates in the period between seeding and

harvest. Mussel farmers employ several techniques to increase survival. An important loss factor is

dislodgement of mussel seed by current or wave action. It is believed that dislodgement risk can be reduced by

increasing substrate complexity. In a complex substrate mussels will be able to attach better, reducing risk of

dislodgement. One way to increase substrate complexity is adding dead shell material to the mussel seed. We

will examine the effectiveness of this measure, by performing a flume study. In this study dislodgment

thresholds of different mussel densities, with or without an equal biomass ratio of dead shell material will be

tested.

Research type: controlled experiment

Research level: minor/internship/final thesis (both BSc. and MSc. level)

Perquisite: precise, dedicated, analytical skills, good overall study performance

Researcher involved: research group aquaculture (Jacob Capelle) in corporation with NIOZ



MAPPING SPATIAL PATTERNS OF MUSSEL GROWTH AND MUSSEL LOSS ON CULTURE PLOTS IN THE

OOSTERSCHELDE ESTUARY Together with a group of mussel farmers we study factors that determine production on culture plots in the

Oosterschelde estuary. In 2014 we measured mussel growth at different locations and mussels farmers in this

project kept a logbook of their activities. We need to integrate all this information in a workable database and

project results on a spatial map in order to identify spatial patterns. Besides this desk study, the student will

actively participate in sampling and processing of samples.

Research type: desk study & sampling

Research level: internship (BSc. level)

Perquisite: preferably affinity with ArcMAP and MS Access or willing to develop such skills

Researcher involved: research group aquaculture (Eva Hartog & Jacob Capelle)



RESEARCH GROUP BUILDING WITH NATURE As a result of changes in societal demand and technical developments, water management and engineering are

moving from hard traditional structures like dikes and dams, to designs in which natural structures and

processes are incorporated. One of the underlying factors in this development is the increasing awareness of

the impacts of climate change and its effect on water levels and extreme events. Furthermore, water managers

are expected to create more safety, opportunities for recreation, and other benefits, with increasingly smaller

budgets. This requires infrastructure that combines multiple functions. In our research group we work on

application of the Building with Nature concept. ‘Building with Nature’ focusses on solutions that use abiotic

forces of nature (e.g. wind and currents that transport sand) and ecosystem services delivered by organisms

(e.g. reefs and vegetation that catch and stabilize sand). The research group also focusses on Building for

Nature: creating additional nature values in and on monofunctional structures such as dikes.

Current research themes include:

1) Optimizing the design of Building with Living Nature structures such as oyster reefs or salt marshes,

used for coastal protection and nature development

2) Sediment dynamics on sand nourishment locations

3) Rich revetments: Building for Nature on dikes

4) Tidal restoration projects

5) Transfer of knowledge by means of an expertise management

More information on research possibilities of this group: Carla Pesch [email protected]

Please send application and motivation letters for assignments within the HZ to Carla Pesch. Motivation letters

are to be handed in preferably before February 2015.

KICK-STARTING BIODIVERSITY The artificial placement of oyster shells in a reef form introduces a new large habitat available for other species

to exploit in a much more sudden manner than would be observed with the more gradual formation of natural

oyster reefs and their associated communities. The development of a community on an oyster reef is

dependent not only on the available habitat, but also on available food source and presence of moisture to

avoid desiccation.

The possibility of providing a ‘kick-start’ for the development of biodiversity, or increasing the speed of

development of biodiversity will be investigated by adding mussels (attached to rope or carpet) to gabions of

oyster shells and monitoring the development of the associated biodiversity over time. As a comparison you

will also investigate the biodiversity of natural oyster reefs in the area as a comparison and research the

literature. Furthermore you will monitor an experiment to investigate the effects of extra water retention in

gabions filled with oyster shells on the developing biodiversity.

Research type: field research, desk research.

Research level: Minor, Internship

Prerequisite: interest in ecology.

Customer: Anneke van den Brink

Period: semester 2, 2015



EXOTIC INVADERS (POSITION ALREADY FILLED) The Oosterschelde has a high number of exotic species that arrived (among others) via the shellfish

aquaculture industry. The introduction of new hard substrates in the form of dykes and oyster reefs at the

Oesterdam is intended to help the developing ecosystem by providing new habitats to colonise. As these new

habitats begin completely empty, they also provide an equal starting line for both exotic and native species. It

is likely that the exotic and native species will compete for the new habitat and for food. Who will win?

In this project you will conduct a monitoring investigation of the artificial oyster reefs around the Oesterdam as

well as the natural oyster reefs to determine the ratio of exotic and native species of similar ecological niches,

thereby creating an indication of how the ecosystem is developing and of what species are likely to benefit

from the further addition of artificial oyster reefs to the Oosterschelde.

Furthermore you will gather, measure and compare the ratios of the crab community from both artificial and

natural oyster reefs with focus on the native crab Carcinus maenas and the exotic Hemigrapsus takanoi as

indicator species. You will use this data and that of a previous student project to draw conclusions about the

competition for shelter and food between the two species.


Research level: Final thesis

Prerequisite: interest in ecology.

Customer: Anneke van den Brink

Period: semester 2, 2014-15

QUANTIFYING BIOTIC EFFECTS ON SEDIMENT ERODIBILITY (POSITION ALREADY FILLED) Coastal defense requirements in estuary depend on the wave energy reaching the shoreline. The latter is

affected by the bathymetry of the foreshore, requiring a good understanding of the erosional processes at the

foreshore. Overall, it is thus utmost important for coastal managers to have a good understanding of the

factors that determine the erodibility of sediments within estuaries, and particular the shallow inter-tidal

foreshore. Biological processes can have a major effect on sediment erodibility. Some organisms may enhance

the sediment stability, whereas other organisms enhance the erodibility. In this assignment, you will work on

determining the effect of benthic organisms on sediment erodibility. The study will include both flume

experiments and field experiments.


Research level: Internship, final thesis

Prerequisite: interest in ecology

Customer: Tjeerd Bouma and Anneke van den Brink



ARTIFICIAL OYSTER REEFS ON THE OESTERDAM SAFETY BUFFER PROJECT LOCATION (POSITION ALREADY FILLED) An Oyster is an ecosystem engineer which is able to change waves, currents and sedimentation patterns in

their vicinity. Nowadays we want to use these abilities in our advantage by building artificial oyster reefs. This

innovative solution can be used not only to protect dikes against wave action but also stabilize sand on sand

banks.

Recently 4 new oyster reefs were constructed at the “Oesterdam safety-buffer project” and it is going to be

your task to monitor not only the reef development but also their effects in the morphology of their

surroundings. For that you will evaluate the existing data and be responsible to collect new data. You will also

compare your results with similar researches. As the oyster reef Technology is still in the beginning your

results/work can be very important for improving the design of artificial oyster reefs.

Research type: field research, desk analysis with GIS or Matlab

Research level: Water management students and/or Civil engineering students; minor, internship or

graduation bachelor thesis project.

Prerequisite: Driver’s License; interest in ecology, morphology, and fluid dynamics

Customer: Matthijs Boersema and João Paiva; partner in RaakPro BwLN


SEDIMENT DYNAMICS OF THE OESTERDAM SAND NOURISHMENT (POSITION ALREADY FILLED) The Eastern Scheldt is an important part of the Dutch delta for nature development, recreation and

aquaculture. Since the finalization of the storm surge barrier (1986), however, the Eastern Scheldt is suffering

from a sand deficit problem. This causes the sand banks to erode, which in its turn, has an effect on foraging

space and time for birds. Secondly the lower intertidal banks are less effective in buffering wave energy,

causing more wave exposure on the dykes.

Rijkswaterstaat (Dutch state authority for infrastructure) is looking for approaches to diminish the negative

effects of the sand deficit, described above. One of the solutions are sand nourishments. The “Oesterdam

safety-buffer project” is a large sand nourishment (300.000 m³) at the Oesterdam. It combines a sand

nourishment with artificial oyster reefs. Implementation in the field has been realized at the end of 2013.

In this assignment, you will monitor morphological changes in the most dynamic parts of the sand

nourishments and you will look at the forcing hydrodynamic components (waves, wind, water level, current).

Secondly you will determine the sediment transport directions at the nourishment. This information will give us

a better understanding of the morphological behavior and helps Rijkswaterstaat with designing future

nourishments at other locations.

Research type: Desk and field research, data processing

Research level: Civil engineering students or related fields; minor or internship.

Prerequisite: Interest in morphology and fluid dynamics, interest in data processing

Customer: Matthijs Boersema, João Salvador de Paiva

Period: semester 2 2014-15


CHANNEL DEVELOPMENT AT THE OESTERDAM NOURISHMENT (POSITION ALREADY FILLED) The Eastern Scheldt is an important part of the Dutch delta for nature development, recreation and

aquaculture. Since the finalization of the storm surge barrier (1986), however, the Eastern Scheldt is suffering

from a sand deficit problem and the tidal flat area is decreasing due to wave actions.

Rijkswaterstaat (Dutch state authority for infrastructure and environment) is looking for approaches to

diminish the negative effects of the sand deficit. One of the solutions are local sand nourishments. The

“Oesterdam safety-buffer project” is a large sand nourishment (350.000 m³) at the Oesterdam. It combines a

sand nourishment with artificial oyster reefs. Implementation in the field has been realized at the end of 2013.

In the first year after placing the nourishment a channel developed at the landward side of the nourishment.

This channel drains the water from the tidal flat during low water and flow velocities are during ebb always

larger than during flood.

In this assignment you will evaluate digital elevation data with GIS from the last 1.5 year, focussing on the

channel width, channel depth and meander length development. Furthermore you will look at the

development of mouth bars at the end of the channel and calculate the transporting capacity based on existing

flow velocity measurements.

Research type: Desk research, data processing

Research level: Civil engineering students or related fields; minor or internship.

Prerequisite: Interest in morphology and fluid dynamics, interest in data processing

Customer: Matthijs Boersema, João Salvador de Paiva

LOBSTER COLONIZATION OF A RICH FORESHORE AT SCHELPHOEK, EASTERN SCHELDT (POSITION ALREADY FILLED) Until present, coastal defense systems in the Netherlands have mainly been designed from a civil engineering

perspective. They meet all criteria regarding safety and water management but have low nature values. Hard

defense systems like dikes can also be viewed as artificial rocky coasts and may be optimized to enhance

nature values and facilitate the growth of many species. This supports the multi-use of dikes e.g. by fishermen

fishing for lobster and by recreational divers. The design and construction of so-called ‘rich dikes’ is an example

of ‘Building for Nature’.

In autumn 2014, a new foreshore design was implemented by Rijkswaterstaat at a dike in the Eastern Scheldt

at Schelphoek, Schouwen-Duiveland. The design consists of a gravel layer that is partly covered by piles of

regular rubble and sandstone. Together with IMARES and Stichting Zeeschelp, the research group Building with

Nature at the HZ University of Applied Sciences will monitor the recolonization of this dike section by epifauna

and infauna for the coming three years. The aim is to study whether the design is effective and could be

applied in future foreshore reinforcements. As part of the monitoring the abundance of European lobsters

(Hommarus gammarus) will be estimated in cooperation with local fishermen. In this assignment, you will

study the colonization of the new foreshore by European lobsters in spring 2015.

Research type: Desk, laboratory and field research

Research level: Internship, Final thesis

Prerequisite: interest in aquatic ecology; prepared to do fieldwork at sea

Customer: Tim van Oijen



EFFECT OF RAINFALL ON RICH REVETMENTS (POSITION ALREADY FILLED) Currently, dikes and foreshores are designed for flood protection, safety and sustainability. The Building for

Nature approach aims at innovating the design of these safety structures, thereby adding nature values. Dikes

with this type of additional structures are called rich dikes, or rich revetments. The addition of structures make

these dikes more of interest for other use, such as diving, fishing and aquaculture production.

In a first exploratory research, a number of biodiversity assessments of dikes at the Eastern Scheldt were

analyzed for the effect of vertical position, roughness and water retention on biodiversity.

In this research your assignment is to evaluate the effect of salinity on communities by performing salinity

measurements in the holes of the new block designs to see if rainfall has a major influence on the salinity.

Research type: Desk and field research;

Research level: Water management students and/or Civil engineering students; minor.

Prerequisite: Interest in ecology, driver license needed.

Customer: Tim van Oijen, João Salvador de Paiva

Period: semester 2 2014-15

OYSTER CULTURE ON DIKES The main function of coastal defense systems is to protect the hinterland from the sea. However, revetments

may support other functions like recreation (diving, sunbathing), lobster fisheries, or aquaculture. In this

project you will investigate the possibility of culturing oysters at the toe of dikes.

The Pacific Oyster (Crassostrea gigas) has been cultivated in the Dutch Delta for many decades. Traditionally,

oysters are cultured on-bottom, recently new techniques are investigated like culture of oysters in the

intertidal zone in bags on tables, or in baskets. Juvenile oysters are put in bags or baskets and harvested once

they reach a certain size or weight. In this project, bags with oysters will be fixed on concrete blocks and placed

at the toe of dikes at different locations in the Eastern and Western Scheldt. The aim is to study whether the

conditions at the dike toe are suitable for oyster growth and to test if the culture design could be applied on a

larger scale.This project will be jointly supervised by the research groups Aquaculture in Delta Areas and

Building with Nature and will be carried out in cooperation with local fishermen.

The project will consist of:

-a literature study on the conditions needed for oyster growth (inundation time, turbidity, food supply);

-design of the experimental set-up, preparation of the oyster bags, labelling of oysters and placement in the

field;

-sampling of the oyster bags at six-week intervals: measurement of size and weight of individual oysters;

-data analysis, oral and written presentation of the results

Research type: Desk, laboratory and field research

Research level: Internship or minor

Prerequisite: Interest in aquaculture and aquatic ecology

Customer: Jacob Capelle, Anneke van den Brink



MULTIFUNCTIONAL DIKE USE IN THE SOUTH-WESTERN DELTA Until present, coastal defence systems in the South-Western delta have mainly been designed from a civil

engineering perspective. These meet all criteria regarding safety but have low values for nature, recreation and

other shared-use.

The challenge in this assignment is to link the dike reinforcement with the development of other functions (e.g.

nature, tourism, aquaculture) around lake Volkerak-Zoom and the Eastern Scheldt. In this project you will

evaluate the possibilities of the dike enforcements for shared-use.

The project involves both an explorative research on the possibilities to combine the renewing of the dike

revetment with other functions as well as an ‘experimental’ research in which you will improve the design of a

specific dike revetment material (asphalt) for combining safety with at least nature values. This project will be

jointly supervised by the research groups Building with Nature and Safety & Spatial Planning.

Assignments: 1-2 student(s) for bachelor research minor / internship

Students: Students of Delta Management, Water Management, Land-use planning, civil engineering

Research type: Desk research, field research, research-by-design

Prerequisite: good analytical skills; communicative; out-of-the-box thinking

Interests: Water management, area development, civil engineering, ecology, tourism

Contact: Jonas Papenborg/Jean-Marie Buijs, Tjark van Heuvel, João Paiva

SALT MARSH DEVELOPMENT IN THE RAMMEGORS POLDER

In December 2014, the polder at Rammegors was opened to the Eastern Scheldt. This will create major changes

for the previously freshwater area. In this tidal restoration project, the initial development of the salt marsh

vegetation will be studied, to develop generic knowledge for future tidal restoration projects. Your assignment

is a collaboration between the Research Group Building with Nature and NIOZ, and will consist of an extensive

literature research on salt marshes and a field research on the availability and distribution of seed materials for

salt marsh development. The results of your literature research will also be used as input for the

DeltaExpertise-site, i.e. a wiki environment for knowledge and expertise relating to delta’s.

Research type: field research, literature research

Research level: bachelor internship, minor research

Prerequisite: interest in vegetation and ecology, driver’s licence

Customer: Tjeerd Bouma and Carla Pesch



INTERNSHIPS AND GRADUATION PROJECT OUTSIDE HZ

NIOZ ASSIGNMENTS: NIOZ prefers graduation over internships

IDENTIFYING THE RELATION BETWEEN THE TRAITS OF INTERTIDAL-ORGANISM AND THE

ECOSYSTEM SERVICES THEY PROVIDE: CARBON STORAGE, COASTAL PROTECTION AND

BIODIVERSITY Intertidal landscapes are a harsh environment for both plants and animals. These organisms have to withstand

tidal flow, wind waves, anoxic soil conditions, flooding/drought-cycles, and many more stresses. Despite these

harsh environmental conditions, a wide range of organisms (plants, algae and benthic animals) inhabits the

tidal landscapes, each with their own specific adaptations that enable them to survive. Some of the organisms

are even able to modify their physical environment via their structures or activities, which is often referred to

as ecosystem engineering. Although the importance of ecosystem engineering for providing ecosystem services

is well recognized, the underlying mechanisms explaining how it works are still poorly understood, as it

requires an interdisciplinary approach.

We aim to understand which organism traits are most important for i) the ecosystem resilience and long-term

survival, ii) their ecosystem engineering effect on the intertidal landscape development and iii) ultimately the

ecosystem services they provide (carbon storage, coastal protection and biodiversity).

To answer this question, we combine field and laboratory studies, using state of the art techniques including

(wave) flumes, instruments to manipulate and measure mechanical properties of the organisms, various

chemical analyses, and many other techniques

Within this research theme we offer several topics, each with the opportunity to tune it towards your specific

interest. The possible topics will however strongly depend on the timing of the research.

Contact person: Tjeerd Bouma ([email protected])

DEVELOPING KNOWLEDGE TO PRESERVE AND RESTORE VALUABLE COASTAL ECOSYSTEMS: A

GLOBAL STUDY ON SEAGRASSES, MANGROVES AND SALT MARSHES Coastal waters with healthy seagrass meadows, mangrove forests and salt marshes belong to the most

productive ecosystems in the world, and also have a high economical value. They provide food and shelter for

various organisms, including young life stages of various commercially important fish species. They contribute

to coastal protection and store considerable amounts of carbon. At this moment, seagrasses, mangroves and

salt marshes are rapidly disappearing on a global scale. Proper management requires a mixture of measures

aimed at maintaining existing ecosystems, restoring lost ecsoystems and mitigation measures for threatened

ecosystems. Experience has learned that such management measures will only be successful when based on

fundamental insight in the processes affecting these ecosystems. We want to contribute to preserving

seagrasses, mangroves and salt marshes, by dedicated research around the globe (i.e., the Netherlands,

Mediterranean, and tropical regions). We specifically aim at understanding basic mechanisms affecting the

establishment, growth and disappearance of these vegetation types, and to derive indicators and critical

threshold values that can be translated in management objectives.

The research is done by a combination of techniques, including field studies in exotic places, as well as studies

in the flume where we can control all environmental conditions, including current and flow.







BIOGEOMORPHIC LANDSCAPE FORMATION BY ECOSYSTEM ENGINEERS: GENERALIZING ACROSS

SPECIES BY UNDERSTANDING THE ROLE OF ORGANISM TRAITS (PLANTS, ALGAE AND BENTHOS) Interactions between organisms and hydrodynamic forces from waves and currents determine where sediment

will erode, and where sediment will accumulate. Hence, these bio-physical interactions are a main determinant

of landscape formation (i.e., geomorphology) at intertidal areas.

Especially large (vascular) plants and macro algae have striking effects on intertidal geomorphology. In the

intertidal zones, a broad range of different types of plant and algae co-occur, that strongly differ in their

appearance (i.e., morphology) Such differences will affect how plants affect the currents and waves, and

thereby thus the sediment transport.

Besides plants, there is also a large group of benthic animals (i.e., macro benthos) that affect the landscape

formation. Some are highly visible in that they create large reefs, such as oysters and mussels (i.e., epi-

benthos). Others are invisible, as they are ‘hidden’ in the sediment (i.e., endo-benthos). Although hidden, these

organisms also have major impact on the sediment dynamics and grain-size distribution by affecting both the

critical threshold for erosion to occur and mixing different depth layers.

We are working on developing a general understanding how traits of individual organisms affect processes at

the level of populations and thereby affect the large-scale long-term intertidal landscape development.




PROVIDING A MECHANISTIC UNDERSTANDING HOW TO MAXIMIZE COMBINED NATURE AND

COASTAL PROTECTION GOALS Ongoing accelerated sea-level rise, increased storm frequency and altered sediment dynamics, threaten

coastlines and estuarine ecosystems around the globe, imposing the need for new, cost effective defense

schemes. At the same time, many coastal ecosystems are currently threatened and declining, imposing the

need for nature conservation and restoration of coastal ecosystems. Restoration or creation of coastal

ecosystems offers promising opportunities for building cost-effective coastal defense schemes that enhance

nature goals. It is however unclear to which extent nature and efense goals are compatible or opposing.

We aim to unravel i) how to use intertidal ecosystems for coastal defense schemes, ii) how to maximize nature

goals and iii) how to integrate both aspects. We study this for coastal vegetation as well tidal flats with benthic

communities. Our studies integrate different scales, by combining both the local-scale (i.e., within an

ecosystem) and the landscape-scale (i.e., the connectivity between ecosystems and ecosystem compartments).

We aim at developing fundamental insights in the physical and biological drivers and interactions that can be

widely applied.



Contact person: Tjeerd Bouma ([email protected]




RESEARCH ASSIGNMENTS WATER TECHNOLOGY The research group water technology aims at development of applicable technologies for sustainable water

(re)use in a combined fresh/saline delta.


1) Recycling of surface and process water for industry, agriculture and aquaculture. Examples are reuse

of cooling tower blowdown, rainwater runoff and industrial wastewater.

2) Recovery of valuable content in waste water. Examples are acoustic particle filtering and nutrient

recovery.

3) Monitoring and control. Examples are monitoring and control of water filtration systems and control

of biofouling in water systems with ultrasound.

REUSE OF GREENHOUSE WASTEWATER Greenhouses have a high water recycling rate, which means that small amounts of minerals and additives tend

to accumulate during recycling. At a certain point, water with highly concentrated compounds needs to be

discharged or treated. One of the accumulated compounds are nutrients and pesticides. The aim is to find

adequate solutions to pesticide removal and nutrient reuse from wastewater and possibly determine whether

degraded pesticides remain toxic.

A second topic in this field is disinfection of recycled water in order to remove viruses, fungi and diseases

(pathogens) before reuse. A pilot installation based on ultraviolet/ultrasound (UV/US) will be employed on the

spot to disinfect the water. Several microbiological analysis methods will be used to detect pathogen removal.

Research type: literature study and experiments

Research level: minor, internship or graduation

Prerequisite: interest in chemistry and biology

Customer: Lans, Tuinbouwschap, Waterboard, municipalities

Contact: Tessa Steenbakker, Niels Groot


ENHANCING THE BIODEGRADABILITY OF COOLING TOWER BLOWDOWN USING ADVANCED

OXIDATION PROCESSES Reuse of industrial water is becoming increasingly important in order to reduce the water footprint. Cooling

tower blowdown is a tough, but interesting source of water, because it is widely available from process

industry and power companies. Blowdown contains various persistent, yet organic substances, which can

hardly be treated with biological wastewater processes. The aim is to study a combination of advanced

oxidation processes (ozone, UV ultrasound) and biological treatment before reuse.

Research type: experiments

Research level: graduation

Prerequisite: interest in chemistry and (micro)biology

Customer: Centre of Expertise Delta Technology, Dow Benelux, AWWS

Contact: Tessa Steenbakker, Niels Groot



REUSE OF PROCESS WATER AND WATER CONTENTS FROM POTATO INDUSTRY During processing of potatoes various wastewater streams have possibilities for reuse. An inventory has

already been made of the various streams and their quality. The next step in this process is the inventory of

partial process streams (internship) and investigation of reuse possibilities. Additionally, reuse possibilities of

(partly digested) fatty acids should be studied in more detail (graduation).

Research type: inventory of possibilities and experiments

Research level: internship & graduation (linked)

Prerequisite: good understanding of chemistry and interest in biology

Customer: Centre of Expertise Delta Technology, Lamb-Weston/Meijer

Contact: Hans Cappon


RECHARGE OF AGRICULTURAL WATER SUPPLY WITH PURIFIED WASTEWATER Wastewater from food processing industry is generally food or feed grade, which means that it contains no

toxic contaminants, but might incorporate nutrients and biodegradable matter (BOD). The aim of this study is

to make an inventory of various waste streams in multiple food industries to determine the fitness for use as,

for instance, agricultural water supply. Secondly, if the quality is inadequate, solutions for treatment should be

provided.

Research type: inventory of water quality and possibilities for treatment

Research level: minor or internship

Prerequisite: interest in water analysis and treatment (chemical, physical, biological)

Customer: Centre of Expertise Delta Technology, Foodport

Contact: Niels Groot


OPERATIONAL CHARACTERISTICS OF ULTRAFILTRATION PROCESSES In 2013 we have installed an ultrafiltration unit in the SEALab of HZ, which is used for onsite water purification.

The aim is to determine which parameters are of influence to the filtration process. Flush times, air scouring

and filtration run times are parameters to be evaluated on different types of feed water.

Research type: experiments

Research level: minor or internship

Prerequisite: good understanding of physics

Customer: HZ-DA Water Technology and Evides Water Company

Contact: Hans Cappon



INTERNSHIPS AND GRADUATION PROJECTS OUTSIDE HZ

PILOT PLANT HARNASCHPOLDER ( DELFT, THE HAGUE), EVIDES & VEOLIA & ROSSMARK In 2009 a pilot plant at the Harnaschpolder WWPT was constructed to explore the possibilities of advanced

treatment of WWTP effluent for the suppletion of fresh surface water, aquifer recharge and to provide an

alternative source for greenhouse water. Advanced treatment of WWTP effluent is required to reach surface

water quality at maximum tolerable risk standard (MTR) level, a guideline for surface water quality of the Dutch

government, and to produce greenhouse water. The objective of the pilot research is to demonstrate that

surface water and greenhouse water can be produced from WWTP effluent at a reliable and cost effective way.

Various technologies are used for water treatment.

Contact: Hans Cappon, Justina Racyte (Evides)

DETERMINING THE OPTIMUM PROCESS CONDITIONS FOR PRETREATMENT AND NF FOR MILD

DESALINATION (DOW BENELUX, EVIDES) At the production site DECO a pilot will be built for the partial desalination of 3 different water streams: cooling

tower blow down, spuikom water (surface water) and effluent from the waste water plant of Dow. The main

aim is to reduce the conductivity to 1 mS/cm. The pilot consists of a pre-treatment (coagulation, lamella

sedimentation, ultrafiltration) and 2 different desalination techniques: NF (nanofiltration) and EDR (Electro

Dialysis Reversal). This internship will focus on the pretreatment by UF and one the desalination techniques, i.e.

NF. Aspects considered are the Key Performing Indicators to monitor fouling, specific energy use and water

quality.

Contact: Niels Groot, Wilbert van den Broek (Evides)

Period: Semester 2 – 2014/2015

DOW BENELUX BV Inventory of various water systems with a high sensitivity for contamination with Legionella bacteria. Focus

areas are the growth accelerating properties and possibility to select a specific system to define a suitable

problem identification and follow-up plan.

Contact: Niels Groot (Dow/HZ) – (www.careersatdow.com)

WETSUS Wetsus Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Water Technology in Leeuwarden is the largest research centre in

the Netherlands. They have many research assignments in various fields from physics to biology and everything

in between. Please consult the Wetsus website (www.wetsus.nl) and click on “PhD positions” -> “Graduation

and internships” for more information.

WATERSCHAP SCHELDESTROMEN – STAGE/AFSTUDEREN (NEDERLANDS), WISSELENDE

ONDERWERPEN

WATERHOUDERIJ WALCHEREN – STAGE/AFSTUDEREN (NEDERLANDS), WISSELENDE

ONDERWERPEN

http://www.careersatdow.com/

http://www.wetsus.nl/


RESEARCH GROUP WATER SAFETY & SPATIAL

PLANNING The research group Water Safety and Spatial Planning is aimed at a multiannual programme Resilient Deltas. In

this programme we explore the nature of community resilience in relation with multiple interrelated systems,

facilitating and development of instruments to build community resilience, and to longitudinal monitor

community resilience and its effects. Water safety and spatial planning are core elements in our approach, but

our research also includes elements of critical infrastructure, economic development, social capital and

governance. Within this field of research we focus on the well-being of people living within delta areas.

The research programme offers several opportunities for students with interest in issues related to community

resilience, safety, water systems and spatial planning. We are open to students from a broad range of

disciplines who are eager to join us in this endeavour of applied science. We are especially interested in social

engaged students with good analytical capabilities and communicative skills, who take responsibility and like to

work in a team of fellow students. An overview of the open assignments for next semester are published

below.


1) Assignment Professionals and Self-reliant Citizens

2) Community Resilience in relation to Critical Infrastructure and Economic Drivers (2 assignments)

3) Area development in ‘Waterpoort’ in relation to regional resilience (4 assignments)

4) Flood Resilient Areas by Multilayer Safety (and other final thesis project at partner organizations)

Application + motivation for the projects need to be handed in preferably before February 2015. The research

group can accommodate up to 8 students, so a quick and deliberate application is recommended. Please send

your application and motivation letters to Jean-Marie Buijs: [email protected] and Jonas Papenborg:

[email protected]

ASSIGNMENT PROFESSIONALS AND SELF-RELIANT CITIZENS (COE PROJECT 2014-2016) The CoE project ‘Professionals and self-reliant citizens’ is aimed at development of practical knowledge about

co-creating safety and to apply this within communities in the south-western delta. This is established by

learning safety professionals to deal with self-reliance, by improving alignment between professionals, citizens

and other societal actors, and by sustainable consolidation of applied knowledge and capabilities. In this study

flood risks are used as a main scenario for disturbances in relation to community resilience.

For this project, it is essential to have insight in the basic perception and action strategies of citizens,

businesses, professionals and governments in relation to flood risks. The student is asked to conduct a baseline

measurement about self-reliance within the municipality of Veere. In this project you will be working together

with researchers from the research group and professionals from the Safety Region Zeeland (regional crisis

management organization). The aim of your project is to construct and conduct a questionnaire to measure risk

perception (awareness) and self-reliance of local communities. Via basic statistics you will perform an analysis

about the baseline of risk perception and self-reliance. The study will be embedded in a longitudinal monitor

about self-reliance and co-creating safety in the Resilient Deltas programme.

Assignments: 1 students for bachelor research minor / internship / final thesis

Students: Students of Delta Management, Water Management, Social Work,

Research type: questionnaire, statistical analysis, field research

Prerequisite: good analytical skills; basic understanding of statistics and ability to apply; specific interest in

social sciences and water safety; Dutch language;

Customer: Research group Water Safety and Spatial Planning (in alignment with Safety Region Zeeland)

Contact: Jean Marie Buijs ([email protected])





COMMUNITY RESILIENCE AND CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE Critical infrastructure are assets essential for the continuity of vital societal functions, health, safety, security,

economic or social well‐being of people, and the disruption or destruction of which would have a significant

impact in a community as a result of the failure to maintain those functions. Critical infrastructure are the

businesses and parts of the government, which deliver products and services that are essential to the daily lives

of most people in the Netherlands. The critical infrastructure at national level is divided into 12 key sectors with

a total of 31 essential products and services. Studies by the research group have delivered new insights in

critical infrastructure at local and regional scales.

In this assignment the student is asked to conduct research for a clear understanding of the relation between

community resilience and critical infrastructure at different spatial and governance scales. Subsequently, the

student is assigned to map the structure and networks of critical infrastructure for a local community in the

Southwest Delta. The student will give recommendations to improve (an aspect of) the critical infrastructure

for this specific community. Finally the student is asked to provide insight in which indicators can be used to

monitor critical infrastructure as a subsystem of resilient communities.

Assignments: 1 assignments for bachelor research minor / internship

Student: Delta Management, Water Management, Civil Engineering, De Ruyter Academy and students from

abroad

Research type: literature and desk research, case study, field research (interviews, observations)

Prerequisite: good analytical skills; specific interest in critical infrastructure and crises management

Customer: Research group Watersafety and Area Development,


COMMUNITY RESILIENCE AND ECONOMIC DRIVERS Economic resilience refers to the inherent and adaptive responses to hazards that enable individuals and

communities to avoid some potential losses. It can take place at the level of the firm, household, market or

macroeconomy. In contrast to the pre event character of mitigation, economic resilience emphasizes ingenuity

and resourcefulness applied during and after an event. It focusses on the fact that individuals and organizations

do not simply react passively or in a business as usual manner in the face of a disaster. According to OECD

economic resilience may be loosely defined as the ability to maintain output close to potential in the aftermath

of shocks. Hence, it comprises at least two dimensions; the extent to which shocks are dampened and the

speed with which economies revert to normal following a shock. From a community resilience perspective, a

certain degree of economic diversification, continual renewing of local economy, fit with the local/regional

community and business continuity are considered important.

In this assignment the student is asked to conduct research for a clear understanding of the relation between

community resilience and economic drivers. This can be done by studying international cases of areas that have

suffered from major disasters analysing economic consequences and measures. Subsequently, the student is

assigned to map the structure and networks of economic drivers for a local community in the Southwest Delta.

The student will give recommendations to improve the economic drivers for this specific community, based on

the insights from resilience. Finally the student is asked to provide insight in which indicators can be used to

monitor economy as a subsystem of resilient communities.

Assignments: 1 assignments for bachelor research minor / internship

Student: Delta Management, Economy, International Business and Languages and students from abroad

Research type: literature and desk research, case study, field research (interviews, observations)

Prerequisite: good analytical skills; specific interest in crises management and economics

Customer: Research group Watersafety and Area Development





ASSIGNMENTS WATERPOORT

(ECONOMIC) CONSEQUENCES FOR RECREATION ENTREPRENEURS, BY THE SALINIZATION AND THE

RETURN OF TIDES AT LAKE VOLKERAK-ZOOM After the construction of the ‘Deltaworks’ lake Volkerak-Zoom turned into a fresh water lake. This had major

consequences for the ecological well-being of the lake since the area is characterized by extensive blooms of

toxic algae. To fight the ecological problems in lake Volkerak-Zoom strategies are developed to turn the lake

back into a salt state as well to bring back tides. However such an intervention requires major adjustments

along the borders of the lake, as, for instance, the closure of (recreational) sluices, modification of the

agricultural water system and adaptations to ensure the migration of fish species.

In this project you will investigate the (economical) consequences of an salt lake Volkerak-Zoom and the return

of tides for the surrounding areas. By the selection of a case study, defined during the research, you will

investigate the possibility of a local entrepreneur or institution to mitigate the consequences of adjustments

for recreation. The results of the study will be integrated in the ‘Atlas of Waterpoort’.


Students: Students of Delta Management, Water Management, Land-use planning

Research type: desk research, field research, research-by-design

Prerequisite: good analytical skills; communicative; creative, out-of-the-box thinking

Interests: Water management, area development, economy, ecology, agriculture

Customer: Waterpoort

Contact: Jonas Papenborg ([email protected])

(ECONOMIC) CONSEQUENCES FOR FARMERS, BY A CHANGING WATERSYSTEM After the construction of the ‘Deltaworks’ lake Volkerak-Zoom turned into a fresh water lake. This had major






In this project you will investigate the (economical) consequences of an changing water system for the farmers

in the Waterpoort region. By the selection of a case study, defined during the research, you will investigate the

possibility of a farmer to mitigate or adapt to the new situation. The results of the study will be integrated in

the ‘Atlas of Waterpoort’.

Assignments: 1 student for bachelor research minor / internship

Students: Students of Delta Management, Water Management, Land-use planning









(ECOLOGIC) CONSEQUENCES FOR NATURE ORGANISATIONS, BY A CHANGING WATERSYSTEM After the construction of the ‘Deltaworks’ lake Volkerak-Zoom turned into a fresh water lake. This had major






In this project you will investigate the (economical) consequences of changing water system for nature

organizations. By the selection of a case study, defined during the research, you will investigate the possibility

of a nature organization to change its nature management plan into a new situation. The results of the study

will be integrated in the ‘Atlas of Waterpoort’.

Assignments: 1 student for bachelor research minor / internship

Students: Students of Delta Management, Water Management






EXPERIENCE OF THE INUNDATION AREAS OF THE SOUTH-WESTERN WATER LINE The area Waterpoort has an rich history of fortifications, fortified cities and defense lines. These fortifications

are inspiring places for new initiatives. And although each fortification is interesting on its own, the

development of the whole fortification system offers new opportunities for the whole area. Therefore the

project partners of Waterpoort try to enhance the visibility and experience of the defense line.

In this project you will investigate the possibilities to enhance the experience of the former defense line. Base

on literature study on comparable projects (Dutch Water Line, Fortification of Amsterdam, The States-Spanish

Lines) you will make a strategy to enhance the visibility of the South-Western water line with a special focus on

the role of the water and the integration with other forms of land use. The results of the study will be

integrated in the ‘Extended Atlas of Waterpoort’.


Students: Students of Delta Management, Water Management, Land-use planning, Tourism & Leisure



Interests: Tourism, cultural history, area development, landscape architecture






MULTIFUNCTIONAL DIKE USE IN THE SOUTH-WESTERN DELTA Until present, coastal defence systems in the South-Western delta have mainly been designed from a civil

engineering perspective. These meet all criteria regarding safety but have low values for nature, recreation and

other shared-use.

The challenge in this assignment is to link the dike reinforcement with the development of other functions (e.g.

nature, tourism, aquaculture) around lake Volkerak-Zoom and the Eastern Scheldt. In this project you will

evaluate the possibilities of the dike enforcements for shared-use.

The project involves both an explorative research on the possibilities to combine the renewing of the dike

revetment with other functions as well as an ‘experimental’ research in which you will improve the design of a

specific dike revetment material (asphalt) for combining safety with at least nature values. This project will be

jointly supervised by the research groups Building with Nature and Safety & Spatial Planning.


Students: Students of Delta Management, Water Management, Land-use planning, civil engineering

Research type: Desk research, field research, research-by-design

Prerequisite: good analytical skills; communicative; out-of-the-box thinking

Interests: Water management, area development, civil engineering, ecology, tourism

Contact: Jonas Papenborg/Jean-Marie Buijs, Tjark van Heuvel, João Paiva


FINAL THESIS PROJECTS OPPORTUNITIES AT PARTNER ORGANIZATIONS

ASSIGNMENT FLOOD RESILIENT AREAS BY MULTILAYER SAFETY (FINAL THESIS AT SAFETY REGION) Rising sea level and climate change ask for new flood management strategies in the countries along the North

Sea. The Multi-Layered Safety concept is a general policy concept for flood management in the Netherlands. It

is an integrated concept which includes three layers: the conventional flood prevention (1), spatial solutions

(2), crisis management (3). Even though the Multi-Layered Safety concept is the general policy concept in the

Netherlands, sufficient specific local and practical knowledge to make local choices and actually enable its

application is lacking. To improve the application, the Safety Region of Zeeland proposes a 4th layers needs to

be included in the Multi-Layered Safety approach: recovering the consequences of floods. The issue of is one

of the themes on the research agenda for a diversity of governments in the Southwest Delta and the research

group of Water Safety and Spatial Planning.

In this research you will conduct an exploratory research on the 4th layer of water safety in relation to the

Dutch Multi-layered safety approach. Research questions to be answered are: How long does it take for the

"normal life" is back? Can all functions be recovered? Are the governance networks not only able to take the

necessary measures for recovery, but are they also capable to learn from the effects and consequences of

floods?

Possible activities for this thesis assignment are an inventory of possible measures in the 2nd and 3rd layer with

positive effects for recovery after a flood, based on international best practices; analysing the characteristics of

pilot areas in the Southwest Delta; provide recommendations for a specific measure in a pilot area, including a

cost benefit analysis. Possible measures could be a research about the raising and strengthening a road to

make an area sooner accessible for crisis management and recovery assistance after a flood; how the spatial

planning of districts can contribute to reduce the damage of floating matter (cars, trees etc.)

Assignments: 1 graduation student

Students: Students of Delta Management, Water Management, Economy, and students from abroad

Research type: literature and desk research, case study

Prerequisite: good analytical skills; specific motivation for water safety in relation to society and crises

management; communicative

Customer: Safety Region Zeeland (in alignment with Research group Water Safety and Spatial Planning)

Contact: Marcel Matthijsse ([email protected]), Jean Marie Buijs ([email protected])

Please contact Marcel Matthijsse and Jean-Marie Buijs before 12-12-2014

OTHER FINAL THESIS PROJECTS OPPORTUNITIES AT PARTNER ORGANIZATIONS The research group has contacts with several partner organizations about final thesis projects in line with the

Resilient Deltas programme. The assignment above (Safety Region) in an example of this. The following

opportunities are currently being explored:

‘Area utilization by a variety actors in relation to transitions in the water system’ (Province of

Noord-Brabant / Waterpoort)

‘Improving regional flood defenses in alignment with a diversity of stakeholders’ (Waterboard

Brabantse Delta).

For more information about these opportunities, please contact Jean-Marie Buijs ([email protected]) and Jonas

Papenborg ([email protected])





Education

Research portfolio delta_academy_s2_2014_2015