Publications by authors named "Birgit Quack"

Article Synopsis
  • The study analyzes the first major beaching of holopelagic Sargassum in Senegal, emphasizing its environmental impact and economic potential.
  • It identifies the dominant morphotype (S. fluitans III) and finds unique biochemical properties, such as lower arsenic but higher cadmium and mercury levels compared to other regions.
  • The research suggests using the Sargassum for applications in animal feed and agriculture, while advocating for African inter-governmental collaboration to address the increasing frequency of Sargassum beaching events.
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Oxidative treatment of seawater in coastal and shipboard installations is applied to control biofouling and/or minimize the input of noxious or invasive species into the marine environment. This treatment allows a safe and efficient operation of industrial installations and helps to protect human health from infectious diseases and to maintain the biodiversity in the marine environment. On the downside, the application of chemical oxidants generates undesired organic compounds, so-called disinfection by-products (DBPs), which are discharged into the marine environment.

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The iron(II) oxidation kinetic process was studied at 25 stations in coastal seawater of the Macaronesia region (9 around Cape Verde, 11 around the Canary Islands, and 5 around Madeira). In a physicochemical context, experiments were carried out to study the pseudo-first-order oxidation rate constant (', min) over a range of pH (7.8, 7.

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The organic bromine compounds bromoform (CHBr) and dibromomethane (CHBr) influence tropospheric chemistry and stratospheric ozone depletion. Their atmospheric abundance is generally related to a common marine source, which is not well characterized. A cruise between the three Macaroenesian Archipelagos of Cape Verde, the Canaries and Madeira revealed that anthropogenic sources increased oceanic CHBr emissions significantly close to some islands, especially at the Canaries, while heterotrophic processes in the ocean increased the flux of CHBr from the sea to the atmosphere in the Cape Verde region.

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