Project title: Anthropogenic impacts on calcification of Mediterranean benthic invertebrates as bio-indicators of marine ecosystem health: consequences of ocean acidification
Project description: The research project aims to investigate the effects of seawater acidification in calcifying marine organisms along a natural pH gradient, created by constant carbon dioxide emissions from the underwater crater of Panarea (Eolian Island). This site in the Mediterranean Sea is an ideal natural laboratory for studying acidification because there are acidity levels predicted for the current century by the IPCC. In particular, this project wants to study the effects of acidification on calcification (skeletal density, porosity, linear extension, calcification rates) and skeletal properties (structure and morphology of crystal domains, mineral phase, mechanical properties) of benthic invertebrates like corals, gastropods, bivalves and vermetides. Moreover, during the project the environmental characterization of the site will be carry out with measurements of the environmental parameters along the pCO2 gradient (temperature, pH, alkalinity, nutrients concentrations).
Application deadline: 28/10/2019
