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Kristina Sundbäck
Professor emerita
Institutionen för marina vetenskaperOm Kristina Sundbäck
Benthic ecology, microbenthos, microbial ecology. My research deals with the benthic ecology of marine shallow-water, illuminated sediments. The role of microbenthic communities (microalgae, bacteria and microscopic fauna) in the carbon and nutrient cycling in the "coastal filter" is studied. The response and recovery of these shallow-water ecosystems when exposed to anthropogenic impacts, such as changed nutrient load, raised temperature due to climate change, physical disturbance, and toxicants, alone or in combination, are assessed, as well as the role of habitat diversity on multifunctionality.
Current project The role of habitat diversity on the nutrient cycling and multifunctionality of shallow- water sediments While the relationship between biodiversity on species level and ecosystem function (BEF research) is today a timely research topic, hardly any experimental studies have been done on the role of habitat diversity on individual functions or multifunctionality. Experiments including different levels of habitat diversity of natural shallow-water sediments have been run during different seasons. We showed that experimental ecosystems comprised of a diversity of habitats show higher levels of multiple ecosystem functions than ecosystems with low habitat diversity. Our results show that the effect of habitat diversity on multifunctionality varies with season; it has direct effects on ecosystem functioning in summer and indirect effects, via changes in species diversity, in autumn, but no effect in spring. We propose that joint consideration of habitat diversity and species diversity will prove valuable for both environmental management and basic research. Some publications are still under way. This study has been lead by Dr Christian Alsterberg (GU, LU) as a post doctoral project, in collaboration with Pofessor Stefan Hult (GU), Professor Sara Hallin (SLU), Docent Lars Gamfeldt GU, Dr Lea Wittorf (SLU), Dr Fabian Roger (GU, LU), Dr Pia Engström (GU), Dr Yann Clough (LU) and KS.
Previous recent projects Role of shallow-water sediments as sinks and sources of nitrogen in the coastal zone Shallow-water illuminated sediments constitute an important functional part of the "coastal filter" where nutrients are transformed, retained and removed by processes mainly driven by autotrophic and heterotrophic microorganisms. The trophic state of the sediment (balance between oxygen production and consumption) largely decides whether the sediment functions as a sink or source of nitrogen (N). Autotrophic sediment functions mainly as a sink of nutrients. The role of dissolved organic nitrogen (DON) in the N-turnover and as a nitrogen source for benthic microalgae has also been studied. Dissolved free amino acids can constitute an important N source for benthic microalgae when the availability of dissolved inorganic nitrogen is limited. A Field study on nitrogen fixation (nitrogenas activity and abundance of nifH genes) on 60 sites along a 150 km stretch of the Swedish west coast, showed that the potential for N fixation in illuminated sediments can be considerable, stretching beyond cyanobacterial mats. The balance between N fixation by benthic
microbial mats and nitrogen removal by denitrification was studied to better understand the effect of managing nutrient loads to shallow bays. This study was done in co-operation with the County administration of Västra Götaland. Response of of shallow-water illuminated sediments to single and multiple stressors – individual functions and multifunctionality We have focused on the sensitivity and resilience of shallow-water, illuminated sediments to local, regional and global-scale environmental changes. The emphasis was on the role of microbially mediated key ecological functions and characters (primary production, trophic status, mineralization, nutrient cycling, nitrogen retention and removal, as well as biodiversity. Natural intact sediments were manipulated in flow-through mesocosms, under natural variation of light and temperature. Single and combined stressors included nutrient load, toxicants, hypoxia, increased sedimentation, warming and acidification. A further analyses of the results from 6 studies showed that stressors affected individual functions both positively and negatively, but multifunctionality was generally unaffected by both single and joint stressors. The functioning of coastal illuminated sediment systems thus appears resilient to exposure to moderate levels of both single multiple stressors. This resilience is due to the robustness of the benthic microalgal community, particularly benthic diatoms.
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Denitrification, Nitrogen Uptake, and Organic Matter Quality Undergo Different Seasonality in Sandy and Muddy Sediments of a Turbid
Estuary
M. Bartoli, D. Nizzoli, M. Zilius, M. Bresciani, A. Pusceddu, S. Bianchelli, Kristina Sundbäck, A. Razinkovas-Baziukas, P. Viaroli
Frontiers in Microbiology - 2021 -
Habitat diversity and type govern potential nitrogen loss by denitrification in coastal sediments and differences in ecosystem-level diversities of disparate N<inf>2</inf>O reducing
communities
Lea Wittorf, Fabian Roger, Christian Alsterberg, Lars Gamfeldt, Stefan Hulth, Kristina Sundbäck, Christopher M. Jones, Sara Hallin
FEMS Microbiology Ecology - 2020 -
Habitat diversity and ecosystem multifunctionality-The importance of direct and indirect
effects
Christian Alsterberg, Fabian Roger, Kristina Sundbäck, J. Juhanson, Stefan Hulth, S. Hallin, Lars Gamfeldt
Science Advances - 2017 -
Nitrogen fixation in shallow-water sediments: Spatial distribution and controlling
factors
Björn Andersson, Kristina Sundbäck, Hellman Maria, Hallin Sara, Christian Alsterberg
Limnology and Oceanography - 2014 -
Multiple stressors and multifunctionality: limited effects on an illuminated benthic
system
Christian Alsterberg, Kristina Sundbäck, Lars Gamfeldt
Biology Letters - 2014 -
Consumers mediate the effects of experimental ocean acidification and warming on primary
producers.
Christian Alsterberg, Johan Eklöf, Lars Gamfeldt, Jonathan N. Havenhand, Kristina Sundbäck
Proceedings of the National Academy of Science of the United States of America - 2013 -
Experimental warming and toxicant exposure can result in antagonistic effects in a shallow-water sediment
system
Christian Alsterberg, Kristina Sundbäck
Marine Ecology Progress Series - 2013 -
Recovery of microphytobenthos and benthic functions after sediment
deposition
Fredrik Larson, Kristina Sundbäck
Marine Ecology-Progress Series - 2012 -
Estuarine Benthic
Algae
Karen McGlathery, Kristina Sundbäck, Peggy Fong
Estuarine Ecology - 2012 -
Experimental climate change weakens the insurance effect of
biodiversity
Johan Eklöf, Christian Alsterberg, Jonathan N. Havenhand, Kristina Sundbäck, Hannah L. Wood, Lars Gamfeldt
Ecology Letters - 2012 -
Functioning of a Shallow-Water Sediment System during Experimental Warming and Nutrient
Enrichment
Christian Alsterberg, Kristina Sundbäck, Stefan Hulth
Plos One - 2012 -
Response of a shallow-water sediment system to
warming
Christian Alsterberg, Stefan Hulth, Kristina Sundbäck
Limnology and Oceanography - 2011 -
Dissolved organic nitrogen: an important source of nitrogen for the microphytobenthos in sandy
sediment
Kristina Sundbäck, E. Lindehoff, E. Graneli
Aquatic Microbial Ecology - 2011 -
Links Between Bottom-Water Anoxia, the Polychaete Nereis diversicolor, and the Growth of Green-Algal
Mats
Anna Engelsen, Kristina Sundbäck, Stefan Hulth
Estuaries and Coasts - 2010 -
Effects of multiple stressors on marine shallow-water sediments: Response of microalgae and meiofauna to nutrient-toxicant
exposure
Kristina Sundbäck, Christian Alsterberg, Fredrik Larson
Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology - 2010 -
Pyrene toxicity is affected by the nutrient status of a marine sediment community: Implications for risk
assessment
Dorthe G. Petersen, Kristina Sundbäck, Fredrik Larson, I. Dahllof
Aquatic Toxicology - 2009 -
Anammox and denitrification along a depth-gradient in the Gullmar Fjord, western
Sweden
Stefan Hulth, Ola Bäckman, T Dalsgaard, Kristina Sundbäck
Gordon Research Conf. on Chemical Oceanography, New Hampshire, USA - 2009 -
Effects of increased temperature on a shallow-water sediment system: a spring
situation
Kristina Sundbäck, Christian Alsterberg, Stefan Hulth
The 4th European Conference on Coastal Lagoon Research, Research and Management for the Conservation of Coastal Lagoon Ecosystems, South - North comparisons - 2009 -
Konsekvensanalys av ett borttagande av ytsediment i grunda
vikar
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Role of microphytobenthos in recovery of functions in a shallow-water sediment system after hypoxic
events
Fredrik Larson, Kristina Sundbäck
Marine Ecology-Progress Series - 2008 -
Lagoons and shallow bays as filters in the coastal
ecosystem
Kristina Sundbäck, K. J. McGlathery, I. C. Anderson, Ieee
2008 Ieee/Oes Us/Eu-Baltic International Symposium - 2008 -
Benthic trophic status and nutrient fluxes in shallow-water
sediments
Anna Engelsen, Stefan Hulth, Leif Pihl, Kristina Sundbäck
Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science - 2008 -
Combined nutrient-toxicant effects on a shallow-water marine sediment system: sensitivity and resilience of ecosystem
functions
Kristina Sundbäck, Dorthe G. Petersen, Ingela Dahllöf, Fredrik Larson
MARINE ECOLOGY-PROGRESS SERIES - 2007 -
Combined effects of an antifouling biocide and nutrient status on a shallow-water microbenthic
community
Fredrik Larson, Dorthe G. Petersen, Ingela Dahllöf, Kristina Sundbäck
AQUATIC MICROBIAL ECOLOGY - 2007 -
Direct and indirect effects of an anti-fouling biocide on benthic microalgae and
meiofauna
Christian Alsterberg, Kristina Sundbäck, Fredrik Larson
JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL MARINE BIOLOGY AND ECOLOGY - 2007 -
Eutrophication in shallow coastal bays and lagoons: the role of plants in the coastal
filter
Karen J. McGlathery, Kristina Sundbäck, Iris C. Anderson
MARINE ECOLOGY-PROGRESS SERIES - 2007 -
Intraspecific variation in the response of the cyanobacterium Nodularia spumigena to moderate UV-B
radiation
Angela Wulff, Malin Mohlin, Kristina Sundbäck
Harmful Algae - 2007 -
Nitrogen dynamics in nontidal littoral sedimens: Role of microphytobenthos and
denitrification
Kristina Sundbäck, Alison Miles, Frank Linares
Estuaries and Coasts - 2006 -
Uptake of dissolved free amino acids (DFAA) by microphytobenthic
communities
Frank Linares, Kristina Sundbäck
AQUATIC MICROBIAL ECOLOGY - 2006 -
Nitrogen removal in marine environments: recent findings and future research
challenges
Stefan Hulth, R. C Aller, D. E Canfield, T Dalsgaard, Pia Engström, F. Gilbert, Kristina Sundbäck, B Thamdrup
Marine Chemistry - 2005 -
Interactions between benthic macroalgal and microalgal
mats
Kristina Sundbäck, K: MacGlathery
Interactions between Macro- and Microorganisms in Marine Sediments, AGU series "Coastal and Estuarine Studies" - 2005 -
Benthic nitrogen fluxes along a depth gradient in a microtidal fjord: The role of denitrification and
microphytobenthos
Kristina Sundbäck, Frank Linares, Fredrik Larson, Angela Wulff, Anna Engelsen
Limnology and Oceanography - 2004 -
Anammox in the marine
environment.
T Dalsgaard, D. E Canfield, Pia Engström, R. N. Glud, Stefan Hulth, L. P. Nielsen, N. Risgaard-Petersen, S. Rysgaard, Kristina Sundbäck, B. Thamdrup
ICON EU 5th Framework, Ghent, Belgium - 2004 -
Nitrogen removal by anammox in coastal marine
sediments
Pia Engström, T Dalsgaard, Stefan Hulth, Nils Risgaard-Petersen, Kristina Sundbäck
ASLO, Savannah, Georgia, USA - 2004 -
The importance of primary producers for the benthic nitrogen and phosphorus
cycling.
K. McGlathery, Kristina Sundbäck, I Anderson
The influence of Primary Producers on Estuarine Nutrient Cycling. - 2004 -
Importance of benthic nutrient regeneration during initiation of macroalgal blooms in shallow
bays
Kristina Sundbäck, Alison Miles, Stefan Hulth, Leif Pihl, Pia Engström, Erik Selander, Anders Svenson
Marine Ecology-Progress Series - 2003 -
Photosynthesis in the aquatic environment as affected by ultraviolet
radiation.
V. Villafa?e, Kristina Sundbäck, F.L. Figueroa, E. W. Helbling
2003 -
Role of microphytobenthos and denitrification for nutrient turnover in embayments with floating macroalgal mats: a spring
situation
Kristina Sundbäck, Alison Miles
Aquatic Microbial Ecology - 2002 -
Protocol handbook for NICE - Nitrogen Cycling in Estuaries: a project under the EU research programme: Marine Science and Technology (MAST III). National Environmental Research Institute, Silkeborg,
Denmark.
T. (ed.) Dalsgaard, L.P. Nielsen, V. Brotas, P. Viaroli, G. Underwood, D. Nedwell, Kristina Sundbäck, S. Rysgaard, Alison Miles, M. Bartoli, L. Dong, D.C.O. Thornton, L.D.M. Ottosen, G. Castaldelli, N. Risgaard-Petersen
Marine Science and Technology (MAST III) - 2000 -
Effects of UVB radiation on a marine microphytobenthic community growing on a sand-substratum under different nutrient
conditions
Angela Wulff, Sten-Åke Wängberg, Kristina Sundbäck, C. Nilsson, G. J. C. Underwood
Limnology and Oceanography - 2000 -
Short-term effects of UVB radiation on chlorophyll fluorescence, biomass, pigments, and carbohydrate fractions in a benthic diatom
mat
G. J. C. Underwood, C. Nilsson, Kristina Sundbäck, Angela Wulff
Journal of Phycology - 1999 -
UV radiation effects on microbenthos - a four month field
experiment
Angela Wulff, C. Nilsson, Kristina Sundbäck, Sten-Åke Wängberg, S Odmark
Aquatic Microbial Ecology - 1999 -
Effects of UVB radiation in a microbenthic community of a marine shallow-water sandy
sediment
S Odmark, Angela Wulff, Sten-Åke Wängberg, C. Nilsson, Kristina Sundbäck
Marine Biology - 1998 -
Does the present ultraviolet radiation influence a marine microbenthic community? A long-term field
experiment
Angela Wulff, C. Nilsson, S Odmark, Kristina Sundbäck, Sten-Åke Wängberg
Phycologia - 1997 -
Effect of sediment load on the microbenthic community of a shallow-water sandy
sediment
Angela Wulff, Kristina Sundbäck, C. Nilsson, L. Carlson, Benno Jönsson
Estuaries - 1997 -
Effects of enhanced UVB radiation on a marine benthic diatom
mat
Kristina Sundbäck, S Odmark, Angela Wulff, C. Nilsson, Sten-Åke Wängberg
Marine Biology - 1997 -
Does ambient UV-B radiation influence marine diatom-dominated microbial mats? A case
study
Kristina Sundbäck, C. Nilsson, S Odmark, Angela Wulff
Aquatic Microbial Ecology - 1996 -
Response of benthic microbial mats to drifting green algal
mats
Kristina Sundbäck, L. Carlson, C. Nilsson, B. Jonsson, Angela Wulff, S. Odmark
Aquatic Microbial Ecology - 1996