Objective The main objective of the proposed research is to detect and quantify the transfer of shelf and surface derived organic matter to the benthos of the shelf, shelf break and slope on a seasonal, bathymetric and interannual basis. The source and fate of the particulate fluxes will be monitored as they precipitate through the water column. The response elicited by the benthic community, if and when energy is supplied, will be documented chemically and biologically. The detailed aims of this study are: - to acquire annual average primary production estimates; - to characterize the biogeochemical exchanges between the Cretan continental shell and the adjacent open sea ecosystem of the oligotrophic Cretan Sea; - to estimate the sedimentation rate in the Cretan Sea; - to estimate the temporal and spatial variability of the benthic standing stock; - to measure a variety of water column and sedimentary environmental parameters; - to acquire sediment community oxygen consumption measurements (metallic demand), in order to detect seasonal fluctuations in relation to variations in the food supplied to the benthos; - to measure nutrient fluxes between the sediment and the overlying water columns - to monitor benthic activity photographically and conduct a videoscopic study of the area with the use of both the bathysnap camera system and the submersible JAG0; - to relate the prevailing environmental parameters to the observed patterns of benthic community structure. Many of the tasks to be undertaken in this project have never before been applied in the E. Mediterranean. This concerted multidisciplinary approach will serve to promote our understanding into the functioning of the oligotrophic Cretan Sea ecosystem. Fields of science natural sciencesearth and related environmental sciencesgeologysedimentologyengineering and technologyelectrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineeringelectronic engineeringsensorsoptical sensorsnatural sciencesbiological sciencesecologyecosystems 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 INSTITUTE OF MARINE BIOLOGY OF CRETE Address Port of heraklion 71003 Poros irakleiou kritis Greece See on map EU contribution € 0,00 Participants (6) Sort alphabetically Sort by EU Contribution Expand all Collapse all NERC Institute of Oceanographic Sciences United Kingdom EU contribution € 0,00 Address Deacon laboratory brook road wormley GU8 5UB Godalming See on map National Centre for Marine Research Greece EU contribution € 0,00 Address 16604 Athens See on map Netherlands Institute for Sea Research Netherlands EU contribution € 0,00 Address 1790 AB Texel, den burg See on map UNIVERSITY OF TROMSOE Norway EU contribution € 0,00 Address 201 b,breivika 9037 Tromsoe See on map University of Crete Greece EU contribution € 0,00 Address 1470, 71110 Heraklion See on map Università degli Studi di Genova Italy EU contribution € 0,00 Address Corso rainusso 14 16038 Santa margherita ligure See on map
