Iona Campbell

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Profile

Research student

Research interests

With previous research experience in shellfish aquaculture as a tool for coastal restoration, it has become a focus of mine to promote sustainable aquaculture methods globally and domestically.

My research interests are:

Sustainable Aquaculture
Harmful Algal Blooms and the Shellfish Industry
Seaweed as a viable source for renewable biofuel

At the Scottish Marine Institute I am a member of the

Publications

Poster Presentation, International Conference on Shellfish Restoration (2011) Institute of Aquaculture, Stirling. ‘Optimal stocking density of bay scallops, Argopecten irradians, in spat bags’

Education / career

2011-present	Postgraduate research student, SAMS UHI
2007-2011	BSc (Hons) Marine and Freshwater Biology. University of Glasgow
June-Sep 2010	Research Assistant, Cornell University Extension, Shellfish Marine Environmental Learning Centre, Long Island, NY
June-Sep 2009	Instructor of Long Island Sound Study & Aquaculture, Cornell Cooperative Extension of Suffolk County, Long Island, NY
June-Sep 2008	Counselor & E.C.O. Instructor of Ichthyology, Cornell Cooperative Extension of Suffolk County, Long Island, NY

Project

Interactions between macroalgae aquaculture for biofuels and phytoplankton

With the global drive to find a renewable liquid fuel, attention has turned to algae culture as a feasible approach for biofuel. The benefits of seaweeds as a source outweigh that of land crops; there is no need for large land plots which may be unavailable, yields exceed that of land crops, and with a less complex structure the energy extraction process is easier. It is therefore important we understand the ecological impacts that such large-scale seaweed farms may have on economically important coastal waters, before extensive production goes ahead.

More specifically the project will try to understand how Dissolved Organic Matter (DOM) released by seaweeds may potentially cause Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs), which risk human health through shellfish poisoning.

Project Objectives

Understand the flow of DOM from seaweed to phytoplankton communities
Investigate how this may influence Harmful Algal Species
Gain a wider perspective on how this may damage coastal ecosystems, and the shellfish aquaculture industry