Objective
This project investigates the factors controlling deep-sea
benthic communities, in particular perturbations at a variety of spatial and temporal scales. The study is a development of a previous MAST contract with more clearly focused objectives and now including a significant modelling element.
The general objectives of the project are:
1. to describe the natural structure and variability in
offshore benthic communities of the North-East Atlantic;
2. to relate the structure and variability to processes in the physical, chemical, and biological environment;
3. to describe the trophic network in the benthic boundary layer and estimate the organic carbon flux through the
deep-sea benthic ecosystem; and
4. to attempt to predict the changes that are likely to be associated with natural and anthropogenic disturbance.
The project is carried out on 3 levels:
- acquisition of raw data and samples on a number of
cruises which concentrate on two sites in the NE
Atlantic;
- main research programmes, involving the initial analysis and interpretation of samples and data, divided into one
section on structural aspects and another on processes;
and
- combination of a number of specific modelling approaches which will contribute to the overall analysis of deep-sea
benthic ecosystems.
Fields of science
Topic(s)
Call for proposal
Data not availableFunding Scheme
CSC - Cost-sharing contractsCoordinator
GU8 5UB Godalming
United Kingdom
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Participants (11)
SL5 7PY Ascot
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75005 Paris
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London
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PA34 4AD Oban
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22765 Hamburg
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2750 Cascais
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9000 Gent
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90 Galway
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AB9 2TN Aberdeen
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SO14 3ZH Southampton
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G1 1XH Glasgow
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