Transfer pathways and fluxes of organic matter and related elements in water and sediments of the North Balearic basin and their importance on the Western Mediterranean sea

Objective

The EUROMARGE-Northwestern (NW) Mediterranean project aims to provide a multidisciplinary study of the Northwestern Mediterranean continental margin ecosystems. The project involves integrated research on the mesoscale 'Liguro-Catalonian circuit', from the East of Marseilles to the Catalonian coast, South of Barcelona, and to the North-Balearic margin.

The objectives of the project are:

1) to determine the fluxes of dissolved and particulate matter from terrigenous and biogenic origin;

2) to quantify biogeochemical exchanges at the sediment-water interface with special attention to the biological activity;

3) to analyze the dynamics of the benthos using in situ measurements; and

4) to describe the composition and physical properties of sediments in order to track long term changes.

To reach the former objectives, a double strategy will be applied: 1)continuous monitoring of major biogeochemical parameters by in situ moored instrumentation in selected stations; and 2) quasi-instantaneous experiments (cruises) in specific sites and in the whole area of study. This strategy depends on the exploration devices, probes (CTD and others), experimental devices (colonization modules, benthic chamber), sediment traps, current-meters and sediment sampling systems. Appropriate analytical and data treatment techniques will be used to fully exploit field data.

Expected main achievements include:

1) quantitative, simultaneous assessment of water masses, suspended particle standing stocks, and particulate fluxes over an entire margin system;

2) calculations of mass balances and budgets, within the water column of some important elements and compounds (e.g. carbon, nitrogen, anthropogenic substances); and

3) understanding of the fate of particulate matter once it has reached the sediments and identification of the relations between energy supply and biological response of benthic communities.

Fields of science

• natural sciences › biological sciences › ecology › ecosystems
• natural sciences › earth and related environmental sciences › geochemistry › biogeochemistry

Programme(s)

• FP3-MAST 2 - Specific research and technological development programme (EEC) in the field of marine science and technology, 1990-1994

Topic(s)

• 0501 - The Mediterranean project

Call for proposal

Data not available

Funding Scheme

CSC - Cost-sharing contracts

Coordinator

Fundación Bosch i Gimpera de la Universidad de Barcelona

Address

S/n,marti I Franques
08071 Barcelona
Spain

Participants (11)

AUTONOMOUS UNIVERSITY OF BARCELONA

Spain

Address

Edificio B
08193 Bellaterra

CENTRE NATIONAL DE LA RECHERCHE SCIENTIFIQUE

France

Address

Europole Mediteraneen De L'arbois, Cerege
13545 Gardanne

Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique

France

Address

Avenue De Fontaulé 1
66651 Banyuls Sur Mer

Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique

France

Address

Avenue De Villeneuve
66025 Perpignan

Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas

Spain

Address

Paseo Nacional
08039 Barcelona

Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Cientòficas

Spain

Address

S/n,camino De Sta. Barbara
17300 Blanes

NATIONAL RESEARCH COUNCIL OF ITALY

Italy

Address

Via Gobetti 101
40129 Bologna

NATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF IRELAND, GALWAY

Ireland

Address

University Road
90 Galway

Links

UNIVERSITAT POLITECNICA DE CATALUNYA

Spain

Address

1-3,calle Jordi Girona Salgado 1-3 Campus Nord - Modùl
08034 Barcelona

UNIVERSITE DE NEUCHATEL

Switzerland

Address

11,rue Emile Argand 11
2007 Neuchatel

UNIVERSITY OF EDINBURGH

United Kingdom

Address

West Mains Road Kings Buildings
EH9 3JW Edinburgh