A new core incubator is being set up in order to obtain responses on the benthic fluxes of aquatic environments and their possible variations under different impacts (natural and anthropic) from local to catchment scale. The core sediment incubation system is a good alternative to the in situ determinations as it can perform simulations by controlling the boundary conditions that are otherwise difficult to be determined especially in highly dynamic and variable ecosystems, such as marine and transitional environments. The core incubator is being built in the framework of the RISE Project (Research and development for sediment Incubation SystEm), co-funded by POR-FESR Programme. RISE Project has some connections with National and International research projects (Anocsia-Firb and Emma-EU Life) and technological applications in the framework of Technopoles (POR-FESR). The core incubation system consists of six separated microcosms, each one formed by the sediment with its bottom seawater. Each microcosm is equipped with autonomous and adjustable thermostatic, circulation and dark/light cycling systems. The electrodes that measure "in continuous" physical and chemical bottom water parameters can be implemented as required by the users according to the aim of the studies. In addition, samples of water just above the sediment can be collected by means of a specifically designed sampling system for a large set of parameters ranging from nutrient and contaminants to dissolved gases. In laboratory/on board experiments under different water mixing, bottom sediment resuspension, water heating and dark/light cycle are reproduced in order to simulate different environmental conditions (natural and/or anthropogenic). The work will discuss some experiments performed with samples collected from different sites and with different physical and physico-chemical characteristics, allowing benthic ecosystem dynamics to be reproduced in order to understand and predict its possible responses.
Water-sediment flux measurements in different environmental conditions by means of a new cores incubation system (RISE)
Catalano G;Ravaioli M;Focaccia P;Giordano P;
2011
Abstract
A new core incubator is being set up in order to obtain responses on the benthic fluxes of aquatic environments and their possible variations under different impacts (natural and anthropic) from local to catchment scale. The core sediment incubation system is a good alternative to the in situ determinations as it can perform simulations by controlling the boundary conditions that are otherwise difficult to be determined especially in highly dynamic and variable ecosystems, such as marine and transitional environments. The core incubator is being built in the framework of the RISE Project (Research and development for sediment Incubation SystEm), co-funded by POR-FESR Programme. RISE Project has some connections with National and International research projects (Anocsia-Firb and Emma-EU Life) and technological applications in the framework of Technopoles (POR-FESR). The core incubation system consists of six separated microcosms, each one formed by the sediment with its bottom seawater. Each microcosm is equipped with autonomous and adjustable thermostatic, circulation and dark/light cycling systems. The electrodes that measure "in continuous" physical and chemical bottom water parameters can be implemented as required by the users according to the aim of the studies. In addition, samples of water just above the sediment can be collected by means of a specifically designed sampling system for a large set of parameters ranging from nutrient and contaminants to dissolved gases. In laboratory/on board experiments under different water mixing, bottom sediment resuspension, water heating and dark/light cycle are reproduced in order to simulate different environmental conditions (natural and/or anthropogenic). The work will discuss some experiments performed with samples collected from different sites and with different physical and physico-chemical characteristics, allowing benthic ecosystem dynamics to be reproduced in order to understand and predict its possible responses.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
