Objective The general objective of this research project is to quantify on seasonal and interannual bases the material transfer of biogeochemical elements (C, N, biogenic Si, and associated metals) from the Northern shelf to the mid and Southern basins of the Adriatic Sea. In particular a study will be made of the temporal variability of biogeochemical exchanges between river outfalls, especially from the river Po, the northwestern shelf and the deeper basins to the south. This will necessitate a knowledge of the key biological elements (pelagic and benthic) of these environments, particularly the processes of primary production and respiration, as they are likely to influence the biogeochemistries of certain metals, both natural and anthropogenic (e.g. Cu, Zn, Pb, Cd), and radioisotopes (i.e. 230Th, 234Th, 210Pb, 210Po and 137Cs) of shelf and basin waters, transported particulate matter, and sediments. Sediment investigations involving geochemistry, mineralogy and palaeomagnetism will be used to: 1. quantify the proportionality of sediments from various sources in surface sediments; and 2. identify changes in the patterns of sediment accumulation, especially on the northwestern shelf, in order to assess passed short and long term (101 - 104y) environmental changes and to assess future trends. Additionally the mechanisms affecting seasonal changes of water and sediment transport and material fluxes between shallow and deeper water environments will be studied. These scientific objectives will be achieved by conducting multidisciplinary field and numerical experiments at selected key sites, three on the shelf between the river Po outfall and Ancona and one each at the mid and Southern basins. These sites, and also one on the river Po, will be sampled at intervals from two weeks to six months. At various times, CTD will be measured and plankton, water, suspended particulate matter, settling particulate matter and sediments will be collected and will be subjected to various field and laboratory analyses involving their biology, microbiology, water and particle chemistry and mineralogy. These will be used to quantify a biogeochemical budget for this system and to relate this to other areas studied in the Mediterranean Targeted Project. Fields of science natural sciencesearth and related environmental sciencesgeologysedimentologynatural sciencesearth and related environmental sciencesgeologymineralogynatural sciencesbiological sciencesmicrobiologynatural sciencesearth and related environmental sciencesgeochemistrybiogeochemistry 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 UNIVERSITY OF EDINBURGH EU contribution No data Address West Mains Road Kings Buildings EH9 3JW EDINBURGH United Kingdom See on map Total cost No data Participants (7) Sort alphabetically Sort by EU Contribution Expand all Collapse all Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique France EU contribution No data Address Avenue de Villeneuve 66025 Perpignan See on map Total cost No data Centro Studi Richerche ed Interventi sulle Risorse Marine Italy EU contribution No data Address Viale Vespucci 2 47042 Cesenatico See on map Total cost No data ISTITUTO NAZIONALE DI OCEANOGRAFIA E DI GEOFISICA SPERIMENTALE Italy EU contribution No data Address Borgo Grotta Gigante 42/C SGONICO-TRIESTE See on map Total cost No data NATIONAL RESEARCH COUNCIL OF ITALY Italy EU contribution No data Address Via Gobetti 101 40129 BOLOGNA See on map Total cost No data ROYAL NETHERLANDS ACADEMY OF ARTS AND SCIENCE Netherlands EU contribution No data Address 28,Vierstraat 28 4401 EA YERSEKE See on map Total cost No data UNIVERSITY OF DUNDEE United Kingdom EU contribution No data Address Nethergate DD1 4HN DUNDEE See on map Total cost No data University of Southampton United Kingdom EU contribution No data Address European Way SO14 3ZH Southampton See on map Total cost No data
