2018 NF-POGO-IEO Shipboard Training Fellowship onboard RADMED cruise

General Information

10 Aug 2018 to 23 Aug 2018

During RADMED cruises some fixed stations located all around Spanish Mediterranean coast are sampled following the same methodology since 1992 in some stations like those located in the westernmost part of Alboran Sea. At each station, a CTD cast is taken as well as water samples to determine : pH, Alkalinity, Chlorophyll  and nutrients concentration, phytoplankton (micro, pico and nanoplankton) and zooplankton,

The main objective is to obtain climatological values, variability ranges and the detection of possible trends of the different variables sampled.

The cruise will start in Palma de Mallorca (Spain) and will visit around 110 stations depending on the sea conditions. A mooring developed in Mahon (Balearic Islands) will be released.

The Spanish Institute of Oceanography (IEO) is a public research organization (PRO), under the Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness, devoted to marine science research, especially in relation to the scientific knowledge of the oceans, the sustainability of fishing resources and the marine environment. The IEO represents Spain in most of the international scientific and technological forums related to the sea and its resources. The fellow will be trained in the Malaga center, located in Fuengirola.

The supervisor will be Dr M. Carmen García-Martínez, that is an experienced researcher in oceanography. She works in the Mediterranean Climate Change Group (www.ma.ieo.es/gcc). One of the main activities of this group is the development of a monitoring programme (RADMED) in which a number of oceanographic stations are sampled in a systematic way. She has included some new analysis techniques in RADMED cruises, as the determination of CO2 not only in the water column (pH and alkalinity) but also the interchange of this gas between the atmosphere and the sea surface using a continous CO2 partial pressure analyzer.

Priority areas

During RADMED cruises some fixed stations located all around Spanish Mediterranean coast are sampled following the same methodology since 1992 in some stations like those located in the westernmost part of Alboran Sea. At each station, a CTD cast is taken as well as water samples to determine : pH, Alkalinity, Chlorophyll  and nutrients concentration, phytoplankton (micro, pico and nanoplankton) and zooplankton,

The main objective is to obtain climatological values, variability ranges and the detection of possible trends of the different variables sampled.

The cruise will start in Palma de Mallorca (Spain) and will visit around 110 stations depending on the sea conditions. A mooring developed in Mahon (Balearic Islands) will be released

What is offered

During the month before the cruise, the student will be instructed in the different sampling and laboratory analysis for the correct work on board, and will be involved in the preparation of the instrumentation to be used during the cruise.

The fellow will learn how to sample and fix from the oceanographic bottles water for the determination of: chlorophyll a, inorganic nutrients, phytoplankton taxonomic composition and abundance (for both microscopy and flow citometry) as well as their correct storage.

Specifically, the student will learn how to properly measure pH by a spectrophotometric method and to sample and analyze alkalinity in seawater. Both techniques are needed to know CO2 concentration in the water column. Instruction will also be given in the installation on board of a continous CO2 partial pressure analyzer, and how to control if it is properly working during the cruise.

During the cruise the student will collaborate with the rest of the scientific crew.

After the cruise, the fellow will learn how to store in good state the instruments used during the survey, and to prepare and analyze the data obtained. They will also be trained in the determination of phytoplankton abundance (microscopy an flow citometry), helping in all the lab works needed for the analysis of the samples collected on board that can not be analyzed during the cruise.

Application

How to apply

Applications are closed for this fellowship.

Terms