Inception and development of Mediterranean algal reefs

The CORSUB project – To the CORe of the SUBstrate - is a pioneering project aimed at unraveling the mysterious morphologies discovered between 80 and 130 meters water depth off the Punta Licosa Promontory in the Tyrrhenian Sea (Campania Region, Italy). These enigmatic structures, identified during a 2003 survey, exhibit sub-circular shapes unpublished in existing literature. Although they contain living crustose coralline algae, their true biogenic origin and the reasons behind their unique forms remain elusive. The project aims to explore the possibility that these occurrences are linked to deep bioconstructions, potentially Coralligenous, influenced by the underwater topography of the Quaternary period. Coralligenous reefs, characterized by monumental build-ups predominantly composed of crustose coralline algae, represent a crucial component of the marine seascape, harboring diverse biodiversity and serving as a significant natural heritage. However, despite their importance, they remain poorly understood and underexplored at these water depths. The CORSUB project intends to conduct oceanographic campaigns to map the habitat comprehensively, by a combination of remote sensing and techniques of direct data collection. This study aims to reconstruct the inception and development of potential deep Coralligenous reefs over at least Holocene epoch by integrating geophysical, stratigraphical, sedimentological, and paleontological approaches. Moreover, the project represents a concerted effort to unlock the secrets of these enigmatic marine formations, bridging gaps in our understanding of deep-sea ecosystems and contributing to the preservation of this invaluable natural heritage for present and future generations. CORSUB project is a PRIN 2022 project funded by the Italian University Minister in the framework of Mission 4 of the Piano Nazionale di Ripresa e Resilienza (PNRR).