Pelagic-benthic coupling in the oligotrophic Cretan sea (NE Mediterranean)

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 sciences › earth and related environmental sciences › geology › sedimentology
• engineering and technology › electrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineering › electronic engineering › sensors › optical sensors
• natural sciences › biological sciences › ecology › ecosystems

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

Participants (6)

NERC Institute of Oceanographic Sciences

United Kingdom

Address

Deacon Laboratory Brook Road Wormley
GU8 5UB Godalming

National Centre for Marine Research

Greece

Address

16604 Athens

Netherlands Institute for Sea Research

Netherlands

Address

1790 AB Texel, Den Burg

UNIVERSITY OF TROMSOE

Norway

Address

201 B,breivika
9037 Tromsoe

University of Crete

Greece

Address

1470,
71110 Heraklion

Università degli Studi di Genova

Italy

Address

Corso Rainusso 14
16038 Santa Margherita Ligure