In January 2024, on board the floating lab Fleur de Passion, a 30-metre steel schooner flying the Swiss flag, 16 students from the University of The Gambia and 2 students from the University of Geneva participated in the January expedition. The 50 km scientific mission upstream to Bintang Bolong, measured atmospheric, aquatic, and sediment environments, including concentrations of carbon dioxide (CO2) and methane (CH4). The students also learned about life onboard a sailing boat, including learning everyday sailing terms for safety onboard Mauritius.
Below are videos and testimonies from the University of The Gambia undergraduate students.
In June 2024, the team conducted a second field campaign with 5 Community Science Leaders (CSLs) from UTG and 2 students from UNIGE. The team collected data to assess the physicochemical characterization and carbon fluxes in the river, as well as the biogeochemistry of the carbon in mangroves at various sites along the River. Also, in June, the GREAT Institute hosted another SFM documentary film in collaboration with Alliance Francaise de Banjul. Unlike the previous documentary film event, only high schools were invited to attend the event. This helps us expand our audience and inform the community about the work being done by the SFM team.
In September 2024, our first master’s student, Ms. Asma Chafter, defended her thesis titled “Carbon dynamics in mangrove ecosystems: Assessing the influence of tidal and salinity gradients during the dry season in Bintang Bolong, The Gambia.” This significant milestone not only showcases Ms. Chafter’s dedication but also contributes to valuable insights into the conservation of mangroves ecosystems.
