| General info | |
| Project title | CINCS - Pelagic-Benthic Coupling in the Oligotrophic Cretan Sea (NE Mediterranean) |
| Project acronym | CINCS |
| Project reference | MAS2-CT94-0092 |
| Begin date | 1994-09-01 |
| End date | 1996-09-01 |
| Location | |
| Geographic coverage | Cretan Sea (Aegean Sea, NE Mediterranean) |
| Description | |
| Abstract | Recent hydrological investigations in the Cretan Sea have revealed the occurrence of intermediate and deep water formation processes. It is generally accepted that these processes influence pelagic-benthic coupling mechanisms significantly. This is also one of the most oligotrophic regions in the world (nutrient concentrations have been found to be very low, with phosphorus being the main limiting factor), characterized by a stratified, two-layered water column, which is considered to be dominated by a pelagic microbial loop type of food chain that restricts energy transfer to the deeper layers. The main objective of the proposed research will be 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. Detailed aims of this study are : - The acquisition of annual average primary production estimates that are completely lacking from this region. - The biogeochemical exchanges between the Cretan continental shelf and the adjacent open sea ecosystem of the oligotrophic Cretan Sea. - Investigations into the most characteristic pelagic and benthic energy transfer pathways. - Estimates of the temporal and spatial variability of the benthic standing stock. - The measurement of a variety of water column and sedimentary environmental parameters. - Sediment community oxygen consumption measurements (metabolic demand), in order to detect seasonal fluctuations in relation to variations in the food supplied to the benthos. - Nutrient fluxes between the sediment and the overlying water column. |
| Coordinator | |
| Coordinating organisation | Hellenic Centre for Marine Research, Institute of Oceanography
|
| Country of Coordinator | Greece |
| Contact name | Dr D. Georgopoulos |
| Contact organisation | Hellenic Centre for Marine Research, Institute of Oceanography
|
| Phone | +30-22910-76329 |
| Fax | +30-22910-76347 |
| Email | dgeor@hcmr.gr |
| Project partners | |
| Other partners | Hellenic Centre for Marine Research, Institute of Marine Biology, Biotechnology & Aquaculture
Norwegian College of Fishery and Science, University of Tromsų
Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research
|
| Edmerp metadata | |
| Edmerp id | 7549 |
| Collating centre | Hellenic Centre for Marine Research, Hellenic National Oceanographic Data Centre
|
| Latest update | 2015-03-13 |
