58 research outputs found
GEOSTAR, an observatory for deep sea geophysical and oceanographic researches: characteristics, first scientific mission and future activity
GEOSTAR (GEophysical and Oceanographic STation for Abyssal Research) is a project funded by in the 4th Framework Programme of the European Commission, with the aim of developing an innovative deep sea benthic observatory capable of carrying out long-term (up to 1 year) scientific observations at abyssal depths.
The configuration of the observatory, conceived to be a node of monitoring networks, is made up of two main subsystems: the Bottom Station, which in addition to the acquisition and power systems and all the sensors also hosts the communications systems; and the Mobile Docker, a dedicated tool for surface-assisted deployment and recovery. At present the Bottom Station is equipped with a triaxial broad-band seismometer, two magnetometers (fluxgate and scalar), CTD, transmissometer, ADCP, but it can easily host other sensors for different experiments.
The first phase of the project, started in November 1995, was concluded with the demonstration mission in Adriatic Sea at shallow water depth (42 m) in August - September 1998. Some preliminary results of this first scientific experiment are presented and discussed. The second phase, started in 1999, will end with a long-term deep sea scientific mission, scheduled during 2000 for 6-8 months at 3400 m.w.d. in the southern Tyrrhenian bathyal plain.Published491-4973A. Ambiente MarinoN/A or not JCRrestricte
The new Checklist of the Italian Fauna: marine Mollusca.
The mollusc fauna of the Mediterranean Sea is still considered as the best-known marine mollusc fauna in the world. The previous modern checklists of marine Mollusca were produced by joint teams of amateurs and professionals. During the last years the Italian Society of Malacology (Società Italiana di Malacologia – S.I.M.) maintained an updated version of the Mediterranean checklist, that served as the backbone for the development of the new Italian checklist. According to the current version (updated on April 1st, 2021), 1,777 recognised species of marine molluscs are present in the Italian Economic Exclusive Zone, including also the Tyrrhenian coasts of Corsica and the continental shelf of the Maltese archipelago. The new checklist shows an increase of 17% of the species reported in the 1995 Checklist. This is largely (yet not solely) due to the new wave of studies based on Integrative Taxonomy approaches. A total of 135 species (7.6%) are strictly endemic to the Italian waters; 44 species (2.5%) are alien and correspond to the 28% of the Mediterranean alien marine molluscs. All eight extant molluscan classes are represented. The families represented in the Italian fauna are 307, an increase of 14.6% from the first checklist, partly due to new records and partly to new phylogenetic systematics. Compared with the whole Mediterranean malacofauna, the Italian component represents 71% in species and 61% in families, which makes it a very remarkable part of the Mediterranean fauna
Mission results from the first GEOSTAR observatory (Adriatic Sea, 1998)
We assess the first mission of the GEOSTAR (GEophysical and Oceanographic STation for Abyssal Research)
deep-sea multidisciplinary observatory for its technical capacity, performance and quality of recorded data. The
functioning of the system was verified by analyzing oceanographic, seismological and geomagnetic measurements.
Despite the mission’s short duration (21 days), its data demonstrated the observatory’s technological reliability and
scientific value. After analyzing the oceanographic data, we found two different regimes of seawater circulation
and a sharp and deepening pycnocline, linked to a down-welling phenomenon. The reliability of the magnetic
and seismological measurements was evaluated by comparison with those made using on-land sensors. Such
comparison of magnetic signals recorded by permanent land geomagnetic stations and GEOSTAR during a “quiet”
day and one with a magnetic storm confirmed the correct functioning of the sensor and allowed us to estimate
the seafloor observatory’s orientation. The magnitudes of regional seismic events recorded by our GEOSTAR
seismometer agreed with those computed from land stations. GEOSTAR has thus proven itself reliable for
integrating other deep-sea observation systems, such as modular observatories, arrays, and instrumented submarine
cablesPublished361-373ope
Towards a permanent deep sea observatory,: the GEOSTAR European Experiment.
GEOSTAR is the prototype of the first European long-term, multidisciplinary deep sea observatory for continuous monitoring of geophysical, geochemical and oceanographic parameters. Geostar is the example of a strong synergy between science and tecnology addressed to the development of new technological solutions for the observatory realisation and management. The GEOSTAR system is described outlining the enhancements introduced during five years of project activity. An example of data retrieved from the observatory being the deep sea mission running is also given.Published111-1202.5. Laboratorio per lo sviluppo di sistemi di rilevamento sottomarinireserve
European Seafloor Observatory Offers New Possibilities For Deep Sea Study
The Geophysical and Oceanographic Station for Abyssal Research (GEOSTAR), an autonomous seafloor observatory that collects measurements benefiting a number of disciplines during missions up to 1 year long, will begin the second phase of its first mission in 2000. The 6-8 month investigation will take place at a depth of 3400 m in the southern Tyrrhenian basin of the southern Tyrrhenian basin of the central Mediterranean.
GEOSTAR was funded by the European Community (EC) for 2 million (US dollars), will carry equipment for chemical, biological and isotopic analyses not used in the first phase, which will broaden the data collection effort.Published45, 48-492.5. Laboratorio per lo sviluppo di sistemi di rilevamento sottomariniN/A or not JCRreserve
MABEL: a Multidisciplinary Benthic Laboratory for Deep Sea, Long-Term Monitoring in the Antarctic
Multidisciplinary Benthic Laboratory for Deep Sea, Long-Term Monitoring in the AntarcticPublished115-1181.8. Osservazioni di geofisica ambientaleope
Lurifax vitreus Waren & Bouchet, 2001 (Gastropoda, Orbitestellidae), first report from Western Mediterranean Sea
Volume: 38Start Page: 45End Page: 4
- …