The Deep-Impact oceanographic campaign in the Ionian Sea concluded
A European project coordinated by the Ogs explored the seabed and deep habitats between Corfu and Kefalonia.
Quick Look
The oceanographic campaign in the Ionian Sea of the European Deep-Impact project, coordinated by the Ogs, to study the deep ecosystems, the seabed and the accumulation of contaminants between Corfu and Kefalonia has ended.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
The Deep-Impact project is part of the European Aquarius infrastructure, which contributes to the European Mission Restore our Ocean and Waters by 2030.
The oceanographic campaign in the Ionian Sea of the European Deep-Impact project, coordinated by the National Institute of Oceanography and Experimental Geophysics - Ogs, on the study of deep ecosystems in the area between Corfu and Kefalonia, a still little explored region of the Mediterranean, has ended. The seabed and deep habitats were studied with a ROV (Remotely Operated Vehicle) and an experimental trap was used to capture deep-sea fish, which will be analyzed to study the presence and accumulation of contaminants.
Furthermore, benthos sampling was carried out and samples were collected for environmental DNA (eDNA) analysis in deep and little-studied waters while, in parallel, the OGS glider group carried out observations through the use of an underwater glider and an experimental autonomous profiler.
The study was carried out on board the Aegaeo research vessel where a multidisciplinary team from the OGS together with researchers from the Scottish Association for Marine Science - Sams, University of Catania, University of Salento, National Institute of Biology Ljubljana and Hellenic Center for Marine Research carried out sampling and oceanographic observations.
"Our goal is to understand how dense waters interact with canyons and deep ecosystems and whether they contribute to the transport of microplastics and other contaminants to abyssal environments," explained Riccardo Martellucci, principal investigator of Deep-Impact and researcher of the Oceanography Section of the OGS.
The multidisciplinary nature of the OGS has integrated skills in physical oceanography, marine biology, geophysics, autonomous observation and the study of deep ecosystems.
Deep-Impact is created within Aquarius, a European infrastructure that makes research ships, underwater vehicles, autonomous platforms, observatories and other advanced services available through competitive calls for access to marine research, contributing to the objectives of the European Mission Restore our Ocean and Waters by 2030.
Open Questions
- What will be the detailed results of the contaminant analyses?
- How will the data collected be used to protect the Mediterranean?
