Csaba Vad

Zsófia Horváth

Mobile outdoor facility, with 40 (300-litre each) + 96 mesocosms (220-litre each).

Heating is available on-site.

Possibility to carry out in situ experiments (within natural ponds or lakes).

small_cer.jpg

thumbnail_cer.jpg

cer.jpg

large_4.m-1024x682-1.jpg

medium_4.m-1024x682-1.jpg

small_4.m-1024x682-1.jpg

thumbnail_4.m-1024x682-1.jpg

CER 4.m-1024x682-1.jpg

large_3.m-1024x576-1.jpg

medium_3.m-1024x576-1.jpg

small_3.m-1024x576-1.jpg

thumbnail_3.m-1024x576-1.jpg

CER3.m-1024x576-1.jpg

large_2.m-1024x512-1.jpg

medium_2.m-1024x512-1.jpg

small_2.m-1024x512-1.jpg

thumbnail_2.m-1024x512-1.jpg

CER2.m-1024x512-1.jpg

 Mesocosms: Robert Ptacnik

Flumes: Katrin Attermeyer

**1A) WCL-Mesocosms-AquaScale (Robert Ptacnik)**
40 land-based mesososms (320 L each); water pipes for aeration and mixing; exchangeable inner walls; app. 500 m from lake; local tab water suitable for experiments (not chlorinated)

**1B) WCL-Mesocosms-LipTox (Martin Kainz)**
24 land-based mesososms (400 L each), temperatured controlled, aerated, temperature sensors, remote controlled

**2A) CARBOCROBE Flumes (Katrin Attermeyer)**
The EcoCatch flumes, also named the ‘Lunzer Rinnen’ consist of 6 streamside experimental flumes of 40m length in which replicated streams can be simulated. The flumes can be used in two operational modes, in flow-through mode with raw stream water to all flumes, or in recirculation mode, with separate recirculation for each flume. A fact-sheet can be found <a href= "https://biofilm.univie.ac.at/News_docs/Fact_Sheet_Lunzer_Rinnen_Experimental_Flumes.pdf" target=“_blank”>here</a>.

**2B) Hyporheic Flumes (Katrin Attermeyer, Gabriele Weigelhofer)**
The Hyporheic Flumes consist of 6 deep channels (5 m long, 0.5 m wide, 1 m deep) filled with gravel and fed with oligotrophic stream water in flow-through mode. Inlets and outlets at different depths (0.2, 0.4, 0.6, 0.8, 1 m) allow for gradually lowering and increasing water levels to study effects of intermittency on hyporheic communities and processes.

**2C) Indoor Flumes (Gabriele Weigelhofer, Simon Vitecek)**
Water is channeled through up to 42 acrylic glass flumes (0.5 m length, 9cm width, 10 cm depth) connected either in parallel or in series. Each flume is operated by an individual aquarium pump in either flow-through or circulating mode, allowing to study e.g. biogeochemical processes, grazing of macroinvertebrates, and others, under controlled temperature and light conditions.

small_imi.jpg

thumbnail_imi.jpg

imi.jpg

thumbnail_Ptacnik-Lunz_400-300x226.jpg

Ptacnik-Lunz_400-300x226.jpg

thumbnail_Kainz_mesocosms_400-300x224.jpg

Kainz_mesocosms_400-300x224.jpg

thumbnail_EcoCatchFlumes-300x200.png

EcoCatchFlumes-300x200.png

The Lunz Mesocosm Infrastructure (LMI) belongs to WasserCluster Lunz (WCL), an inter-university research centre of the University of Vienna, the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Vienna (BOKU) and the Danube University Krems. It includes 2 permanent land-based mesocosm systems: 40 mesocosms holding 320 L of water each are equipped with a special port to minimize sample contact in experiments targeting dispersal limitation; 24 additional mesocosms holding 400 L each and placed next to a cabin are equipped with a filling system filtering water. Both are equipped with computer-controlled heating and mixing systems. In addition, LMI comprises three experimental flume systems. The Benthic Flumes consist of 6 streamside channels (40 m long, 0.4 m wide) that are continuously fed with stream water. Basic hydraulic and sediment characteristics can be adjusted and solutes such as inorganic nutrients or DOM be added. The Hyporheic Flumes consist of 6 deep channels (5 m long, 0.5 m wide, 1 m deep) filled with gravel and fed with oligotrophic stream water in flow-through mode. Inlets and outlets at different depths (0.2, 0.4, 0.6, 0.8, 1 m) allow for gradually lowering and increasing water levels to study effects of intermittency on hyporheic communities and processes. And there is an indoor flume system where water is channelled through 42 acrylic glass flumes (0.5 m length, 9cm width, 10 cm depth) connected either in parallel or in series. Each flume is operated by an individual aquarium pump in either flow-through or circulating mode, allowing to study biogeochemical turnover processes per flume under controlled temperature and light conditions.

Available infrastructure and instruments beyond the mesocosm facilities include 3 boats and 2 cars, several labs, including a radio-isotope lab (3H,14C), walk-in environmental chambers, elemental analyser coupled to isotope-ratio mass spectrometer (IRMS), GC-FID/MS for analysing fatty acids, HPLC, flow cytometer, total organic carbon (TOC) analyser, nutrient autoanalyser, bench spectrophotometer, fluorometer; PhytoPAM fluorometer, and dissecting, bright- field, inverted and epifluorescence microscopes. Field gear and instrumentation is also available including sampling gear, nets of various mesh sizes, water collection tubes. temperature sensors. Equipment and gear used in the Hyporheic Flumes include a fully automated discharge and water-temperature interface, data loggers, a flow velocity measurement system, a remote-controlled (IR) video system, electrofishing devices, sampling gear, tanks for hatching and maintaining fish, and more.

<div class="photo">

![Screenshot-2020-11-05-at-15.58.15.png](https://storage.googleapis.com/aq-cms-content/Screenshot_2020_11_05_at_15_58_15_f8a7db06f6/Screenshot_2020_11_05_at_15_58_15_f8a7db06f6.png)

<div class="photo-credit">Experimental river flumes “Lunz flumes”, (left) and Hyporheic Flumes (right) at WCL, Austria</div>
</div>

<div class="photo">

![Screenshot-2020-11-05-at-15.58.00.png](https://storage.googleapis.com/aq-cms-content/Screenshot_2020_11_05_at_15_58_00_7dac71df4f/Screenshot_2020_11_05_at_15_58_00_7dac71df4f.png)

<div class="photo-credit">Two mesocosm systems at WasserCluster Lunz (WCL) in Lunz am See, Austria</div>
</div>

<div class="photo">

![wcl-image.jpg](https://storage.googleapis.com/aq-cms-content/wcl_image_4b3805b398/wcl_image_4b3805b398.jpg)

<div class="photo-credit">Mesocosm systems at WasserCluster Lunz (WCL) in Lunz am See, Austria</div>
</div>



**WasserCluster Lunz** is a nonprofit research centre shared to equal amounts by the University of Vienna, the Danube University Krems, and the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Vienna (BOKU Vienna). The research centre is financially supported by the Provincial Government of Lower Austria and the Municipality of Vienna. Field experiments involving mesocosms and experimental flumes are an essential element of the research performed at WCL.

small_WasserCluster.png

thumbnail_WasserCluster.png

WasserCluster.png

WasserCluster Lunz-Biologische Station GmbH

Thomas Davidson

Erik Jeppesen

outdoor – pelagic/benthic – freshwater

24 cylindrical outdoor mesocosms, each 2.8 m3 in volume

small_au.jpg

thumbnail_au.jpg

au.jpg

thumbnail_silkeborg_mesocosm-300x223.png

silkeborg_mesocosm-300x223.png

thumbnail_silkeborg_mesocosm_schema-300x210.png

silkeborg_mesocosm_schema-300x210.png

The Lake Mesocosm Warming Experiment (LMWE) is a unique long-term (with 16 years so far the world’s longest running) flow-through mesocosm experiment addressing climate-change effects on lakes under contrasting nutrient levels and water clarity. Twenty-four cylindrical outdoor mesocosms are used, each with a capacity of 2.8 m3. The mesocosms receive groundwater 6 times per day, resulting in a theoretical water retention time of 2.5 months. Water in the mesocosms is continuously mixed by paddles and heated by electrical elements. Three temperature regimes are run: ambient temperature and two elevated temperatures according to IPPC climate scenarios A2 and A2 + 50%, down-scaled to local 25 25 km grid cells. The modelled temperature difference for the A2 scenario is generally higher in August to January (max. 4.4 °C in September) than during the rest of the year (min. 2.5 °C in June). Individual mesocosms of each temperature regime are run at either low or high nutrient concentrations (4 replicates per treatment). The latter are obtained by weekly dosing of N and P.

Located 15 km from AU Silkeborg, the facility is equipped with a small lab building to facilitate accessory small-scale studies and analyses. A fully equipped lab is available at the AU freshwater central lab in Silkeborg. The mesocosm facility is part of the Danish AnaEE project and it is also included in the European AnaEE list of experimental facilities for ESFRI.

<div class="photo">

![Screenshot-2020-11-05-at-16.14.45.png](https://storage.googleapis.com/aq-cms-content/Screenshot_2020_11_05_at_16_14_45_69e4b76576/Screenshot_2020_11_05_at_16_14_45_69e4b76576.png)

<div class="photo-credit">The Lake Mesocosm Warming Experiment (LMWE), photo and schematic, in Denmark.</div>
</div>



The Department of Bioscience, **Aarhus University (AU)** comprises >15 research groups and about 500 staff members and carries out basic research and strategic research as well as research-based consultancy services on all aspects of aquatic sciences. AU furthermore runs the national survey program on aquatic ecosystems. AU has conducted numerous small to large scale experiments, as well as whole lake/stream experiments on many continents during the past 20 years and are probably the aquatic group with most experienced in field experiments in the world. They collaborate with more than 120 research groups from all parts of the world.

thumbnail_Aarhus-University-logo.png

Aarhus-University-logo.png

Aarhus University

Maiju Lehtiniemi

Katri Kuuppo

**pelagic - marine - brackish – freshwater – indoor**

Indoor experimental systems in a range of volumes, with integrated incubation condition control, data retrieval, and their online presentation. Ice tanks available for ice ecology research. High-quality analytical laboratories are directly connected. 

small_syke.jpg

thumbnail_syke.jpg

syke.jpg

Research group in JERICO-AQUACOSM RI-RI Transnational Access 2022 experiment.

large_Research group in JERICO-AQUACOSM TA2022 mesocosm experiment. Photo Eeva Eronen-Rasimus - resized.jpg

medium_Research group in JERICO-AQUACOSM TA2022 mesocosm experiment. Photo Eeva Eronen-Rasimus - resized.jpg

small_Research group in JERICO-AQUACOSM TA2022 mesocosm experiment. Photo Eeva Eronen-Rasimus - resized.jpg

thumbnail_Research group in JERICO-AQUACOSM TA2022 mesocosm experiment. Photo Eeva Eronen-Rasimus - resized.jpg

Research group in JERICO-AQUACOSM TA2022 mesocosm experiment. Photo Eeva Eronen-Rasimus - resized.jpg

large_Mesocosm tank 300 Lphoto Katri Kuuppo - resized.JPG

medium_Mesocosm tank 300 Lphoto Katri Kuuppo - resized.JPG

small_Mesocosm tank 300 Lphoto Katri Kuuppo - resized.JPG

thumbnail_Mesocosm tank 300 Lphoto Katri Kuuppo - resized.JPG

Mesocosm tank 300 Lphoto Katri Kuuppo - resized.JPG

The AquaBox instrument for autonomous near-real time sampling and measurement from the mesocosms. Incubator for small-scale bottle experiments with adjustable light and temperature.Experimental water is transported into the laboratory and mesocosms are filled with a peristaltic pump.

large_Filling mesocosms photo Katri Kuuppo - resized.png

medium_Filling mesocosms photo Katri Kuuppo - resized.png

small_Filling mesocosms photo Katri Kuuppo - resized.png

thumbnail_Filling mesocosms photo Katri Kuuppo - resized.png

Filling mesocosms photo Katri Kuuppo - resized.png

The AquaBox instrument for autonomous near-real time sampling and measurement from the mesocosms. 

large_AquaBox photo Katri Kuuppo - resized.JPG

medium_AquaBox photo Katri Kuuppo - resized.JPG

small_AquaBox photo Katri Kuuppo - resized.JPG

thumbnail_AquaBox photo Katri Kuuppo - resized.JPG

AquaBox photo Katri Kuuppo - resized.JPG

Mesocosms and the water transport cube in the laboratory.

large_Mesocosms and a cube for water transport Photo Katri Kuuppo - resized.png

medium_Mesocosms and a cube for water transport Photo Katri Kuuppo - resized.png

small_Mesocosms and a cube for water transport Photo Katri Kuuppo - resized.png

thumbnail_Mesocosms and a cube for water transport Photo Katri Kuuppo - resized.png

Mesocosms and a cube for water transport Photo Katri Kuuppo - resized.png

large_AquaBox photo Katri Kuuppo - resizedd.JPG

medium_AquaBox photo Katri Kuuppo - resizedd.JPG

small_AquaBox photo Katri Kuuppo - resizedd.JPG

thumbnail_AquaBox photo Katri Kuuppo - resizedd.JPG

AquaBox photo Katri Kuuppo - resizedd.JPG

Incubator for small-scale bottle experiments with adjustable light and temperature.

large_Experimental incubator Broud Mary photo Katri Kuuppo - resized.JPG

medium_Experimental incubator Broud Mary photo Katri Kuuppo - resized.JPG

small_Experimental incubator Broud Mary photo Katri Kuuppo - resized.JPG

thumbnail_Experimental incubator Broud Mary photo Katri Kuuppo - resized.JPG

Experimental incubator Broud Mary photo Katri Kuuppo - resized.JPG

The SYKE-MRC Indoor Mesocosm Facility is part of the Marine Ecology Laboratory at the Finnish Environment Institute. It hosts indoor experimental systems in a range of volumes up to 300 L. Temperature and light conditions are well controlled. The facility has several walk-in climate chambers and modern laboratories equipped with a wide range of instruments, including advanced bio-optical methods, such as flow cytometer, CytoSense, imaging FlowCam, Imaging flow Cytobot and LISST-Holo 2, Zooscan, high- quality microscopes, spectrophotometer with integrating sphere, spectrofluorometers, FRR fluorometers, plate readers, controllable LED panels, nutrient analysers, isotope laboratory, microplastics laboratory and a laboratory for molecular biology. Furthermore, SYKE-MRC Indoor Mesocosm is associated with a phytoplankton culture collection including hundreds of strains that can be used in experimental studies. 

The mesocosm facility has a unique instrument - [AquaBox](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r9SqFst3Q-w&t=3s) -for automated sampling and measurement of several parameters, e.g., T°C, O2, in vivo fluorescence, FRRF, PAM, CDOM, pCO2, pH, inorganic N and P. Instruments for flow cytometry, image analysis of individual cells of phytoplankton and microzooplankton species (FlowCAM, CytoSense, FlowCytobot) can be hooked to the system, as well as automated water sample retrieval for additional analyses. All functions are computer-controlled, including automatic data transfer and storage. 

Please see also the gear gallery: <a href= "https://www.finmari-infrastructure.fi/gear-gallery/finnish-environment-institute-syke/ 
" target=“_blank”>https://www.finmari-infrastructure.fi/gear-gallery/finnish-environment-institute-syke/ </a>

<div class="photo">

![Screenshot-2020-11-05-at-16.00.25.png](https://storage.googleapis.com/aq-cms-content/Screenshot_2020_11_05_at_16_00_25_9b9992255f/Screenshot_2020_11_05_at_16_00_25_9b9992255f.png)

<div class="photo-credit">SYKE-MRC Indoor Mesocosm Facility hosts a wide range of temperature and light-controlled experimental units up to 300 L (left), attractive to teams of international experts (right).</div>
</div>



**The Finish Environment Institute SYKE** is both a research institute, and a centre for environmental expertise. SYKE operates under the auspices of the Ministry of the Environment, and its activities focus on five themes, one of which covers the Baltic Sea. Marine Research Centre (MRC) at SYKE coordinates the national marine research infrastructure FINMARI (http://www.finmari-infrastructure.fi/), and aims at producing information and new solutions that help decision-makers to promote the protection and sustainable use of the Baltic Sea. Besides coordination, SYKE-MRC role in FINMARI is management of the largest Finnish marine research vessel Aranda and the Alg@line on- line monitoring platform, participation in the construction of the Utö Marine Station, hosting a Baltic Sea phytoplankton culture collection, and R&D on automated measurement and experimental platforms in the MRC Marine Ecology Research Laboratory.

SYKE-logo.gif

Finnish Environment Institute, Marine Research Centre

Joanna Norkko

Aleksandra Lewandowska

**pelagic - marine - outdoor**

A large nature reserve surrounding TZS is dedicated to research, providing access to a pristine environment for field mesocosms. Research vessels and technical services support sampling and maintenance; a hovercraft allows winter-studies. Aquarium facilities with natural or artificial light are available for flow-through experiments at up to 100 000 m3 daily water capacity. A marine laboratory provides analytical services.

small_tmf.jpg

thumbnail_tmf.jpg

tmf.jpg

large_AQUACOSM_setup_May_2019_Photo_Alf_Norkko - resized.jpg

medium_AQUACOSM_setup_May_2019_Photo_Alf_Norkko - resized.jpg

small_AQUACOSM_setup_May_2019_Photo_Alf_Norkko - resized.jpg

thumbnail_AQUACOSM_setup_May_2019_Photo_Alf_Norkko - resized.jpg

AQUACOSM_setup_May_2019_Photo_Alf_Norkko - resized.jpg

large_TZS_from_the_air_October_2019_Photo_Alf_Norkko - resized.jpg

medium_TZS_from_the_air_October_2019_Photo_Alf_Norkko - resized.jpg

small_TZS_from_the_air_October_2019_Photo_Alf_Norkko - resized.jpg

thumbnail_TZS_from_the_air_October_2019_Photo_Alf_Norkko - resized.jpg

TZS_from_the_air_October_2019_Photo_Alf_Norkko - resized.jpg

large_Tvarminne_indoor_mesocosm_2 022_Photo_Joanna_Norkko - resized.jpg

medium_Tvarminne_indoor_mesocosm_2 022_Photo_Joanna_Norkko - resized.jpg

small_Tvarminne_indoor_mesocosm_2 022_Photo_Joanna_Norkko - resized.jpg

thumbnail_Tvarminne_indoor_mesocosm_2 022_Photo_Joanna_Norkko - resized.jpg

Tvarminne_indoor_mesocosm_2 022_Photo_Joanna_Norkko - resized.jpg

large_Augusta_2021_10_27_Photo_Alf_Norkko - resized.jpg

medium_Augusta_2021_10_27_Photo_Alf_Norkko - resized.jpg

small_Augusta_2021_10_27_Photo_Alf_Norkko - resized.jpg

thumbnail_Augusta_2021_10_27_Photo_Alf_Norkko - resized.jpg

Augusta_2021_10_27_Photo_Alf_Norkko - resized.jpg

large_tvarminne image - resized.jpg

medium_tvarminne image - resized.jpg

small_tvarminne image - resized.jpg

thumbnail_tvarminne image - resized.jpg

tvarminne image - resized.jpg

The Tvärminne Mesocosm Facility (TMF) is the largest marine mesocosm facility in Finland located at Tvärminne Zoological Station (TZS). Located in a 600-ha nature reserve at the entrance to the Gulf of Finland in the northern Baltic Sea, the facility benefits from access to a large area of coastal brackish water characterised by low levels of pollution and physical disturbance. TMF has the facilities to set up 12 flexible mesocosms of up to 3 m3 volume in the field, using a mobile platform. In addition, 12 indoor 600-litre mesocosms are available. There are excellent background data to support mesocosm experiments addressing impacts on long-term environmental change. Cold winters make the site an excellent place for studies on the importance of sea ice. Well-equipped laboratories, several research vessels, sampling equipment, diving facilities, experimental aquarium facilities and long-term databases are also available on site.

**Services currently offered by the infrastructure:** TMF offers access to mesocosms, lab space and vessels for deploying and sampling mesocosms (including an 18 m catamaran), sampling equipment, and SCUBA diving facilities. Logistic support can be offered both for setting up mesocosms and sampling. In addition, there are aquaria and other indoor facilities for sample incubation under controlled temperature and light regimes. Running sea water is supplied at rates of up to 100 000 m3 daily. Weather data can be obtained from a weather station on site. Given that 250-300 scientists, 30% of them international guests, work about 5500 days per year at TZS, a range of laboratories for chemical and biological analyses and microscopy are available. Laboratory analyses for standard physico-chemical analyses can be provided and various analytical instruments, including a mass spectrometer, are available for additional analyses. Training in the use of equipment and techniques is provided upon request. Mesocosm experiments at TFM can involve large groups of researchers, because the size of the mesocosms enables repeatedly large sample volumes and accommodation on site can be offered for over 80 guests. A number of large mesocosm experiments have been conducted at TMF since 1988. Research topics have ranged from relationships of biodiversity and ecosystem functioning to links between eutrophication and algal-bloom dynamics, effects of climate change and other human-induced environmental changes on marine species, and the importance of sea ice in coastal marine environments.


<div class="photo">

![TZS_from_the_air_October_2019_Photo_Alf_Norkko - resized.jpg](https://storage.googleapis.com/aq-cms-content/TZS_from_the_air_October_2019_Photo_Alf_Norkko_resized_e260dfd312/TZS_from_the_air_October_2019_Photo_Alf_Norkko_resized_e260dfd312.jpg)

<div class="photo-credit">Tvärminne Zoological Station from the air. Credit: Alf Norkko</div>
</div>

<div class="photo">

![Tvarminne mesocosm](https://storage.googleapis.com/aq-cms-content/AQUACOSM_setup_May_2019_Photo_Alf_Norkko_resized_2551a0ddc5/AQUACOSM_setup_May_2019_Photo_Alf_Norkko_resized_2551a0ddc5.jpg)

<div class="photo-credit">Setting up the TMF mobile mesocosm platform</div>
</div>





Tvärminne Zoological Station (TZS) of **University of Helsinki** is the site of the Tvärminne Mesocosm Facility (TMF) located by the brackish Baltic Sea, at the entrance to the Gulf of Finland. Established in 1902, TZS has a long history of experimental and field studies in marine biology and related areas. TZS is fully operational all year around. In addition to the station’s own research teams, TZS is annually visited by ca. 250 scientists from all over the world. TZS is part of the marine research infrastructure FINMARI (http://www.finmari-infrastructure.fi/), which is coordinated by SYKE, and has been appointed to the Finnish roadmap for RIs. TZS coordinates the Finnish node of EMBRC (http://www.embrc.eu) with an associated partnership.

thumbnail_University-of-Helsinki-logo (1).png

University-of-Helsinki-logo (1).png

University of Helsinki, Tvärminne Zoological Station

Jean-Christophe Aymes

St Pée facilities offer the opportunity to work with various sizes of artificial flowing-water mesocosms.

The Lapitxuri semi-natural stream (15 km from the INRA St Pée Institute) is fed by a diversion of a natural headwater stream. It is separated into 13 consecutive reaches (10m x 2.8m) allowing it to work with pseudo-replicates (each reach can be closed by downstream traps). T). Direct underwater observations can be performed on two reaches from an underground room. More classical mesocosms are available: 16 swedish tanks (2.5 m3), 8 circular tanks (0.1 m3), 6 indoor flumes (4.5 m long), 8 outdoor flumes (11m x 0.5m).

At the INRA St Pée Institute, a large 25 m3 circular flume (fluvarium) consists in 2 longitudinal sections (10 m x 1 m) separated by upstream and downstream traps. Water velocity (controlled by a propeller), light (twilight period possible), temperature (air+water), substratum and depth can be controlled.

Two smaller circular devices (tidal aquaria) consist of a 400 L aquarium where flow direction changes alternatively. They are located in two similar rooms, where air and water temperature, as well as light are controlled. It is used to investigate swimming behavior in tidal zone under different conditions or as replicates.

An outdoor large basin (756 m²) can be used under lentic (maximum depth: 4 m) or lotic (maximum depth: 80 cm) experimental situations. More classical mesocosms are available: 4 swedish tanks (2.5 m3), 2 series of 8 circular tanks (0. 16 or 0.5 m3), 1 series of 16 tanks (0.1 m3), 6 indoor flumes (1.50 m long).

small_ecp.jpg

thumbnail_ecp.jpg

ecp.jpg

medium_ECP_Aerial-view_St-Pée-768x556-1.jpg

small_ECP_Aerial-view_St-Pée-768x556-1.jpg

thumbnail_ECP_Aerial-view_St-Pée-768x556-1.jpg

ECP_Aerial-view_St-Pée-768x556-1.jpg

medium_ECP_Flume-768x513-1.jpg

small_ECP_Flume-768x513-1.jpg

thumbnail_ECP_Flume-768x513-1.jpg

ECP_Flume-768x513-1.jpg

medium_ECP_Aerial-view_Lapitxuri-768x678-1.jpg

small_ECP_Aerial-view_Lapitxuri-768x678-1.jpg

thumbnail_ECP_Aerial-view_Lapitxuri-768x678-1.jpg

ECP_Aerial-view_Lapitxuri-768x678-1.jpg

medium_ECP_Lapitxuri-semi-natural-stream-768x659-1.jpg

small_ECP_Lapitxuri-semi-natural-stream-768x659-1.jpg

thumbnail_ECP_Lapitxuri-semi-natural-stream-768x659-1.jpg

ECP_Lapitxuri-semi-natural-stream-768x659-1.jpg

LIFE-ECP is part of INRA, a multi-site infrastructure offering micro- meso- and macrocosms for the implementation of scientific programs focused on aquatic ecology. ECP facilities offer the opportunity to work with various sizes of artificial flowing-water mesocosms. They are located at two sites: at the INRA Aquapôle Campus and at Lapitxuri (15 km apart). The Aquapôle platform consists of an outdoor platform (60m2) for fish rearing equipped with 4 tanks (2.5 m3) and a series of circular tanks in multiple sizes (0.16m3, 0.5m3, 0.1m3). The indoor facilities consist of 4 experimental rooms, all equipped with independent temperature and light control, holding a series of circular flumes in various sizes (4-25 m3). Water (diverted from the nearby river Nivelle) velocity, substratum and depth can be controlled as well as flow direction to mimic tide. Indoor flumes can be connected to micro- respirometry devices, offering a total of 54 metabolic chambers of different sizes (4 cm3 to 4000 cm3).

The Lapitxuri semi-natural stream is fed by a diversion of two natural headwater streams. It consists into 12 consecutive reaches (10 x 2.8m) that are separated from each other by 2 downstream traps. Underwater rooms allow direct

observations through glass windows in two of these reaches. Under its basic arrangement the Lapitxuri semi-natural stream looks like a succession of riffle units with coarse and medium gravel substratum, 10-15 cm of water height and 12-17 cm s-1 water velocity. These parameters can be manipulated to create different habitats through changes in substratum quality and height, shelter additions, change in water height and/or flow input. At mid-distance, a flow diversion makes it possible to work with different flow values between the upstream and downstream part of the stream. The entire stream is protected from avian predation by nets and from unwanted fish entry by traps. The addition of a longitudinal division increases the number of pseudo-replicates to 24 reaches of 14 m2 each.

Tanks of different sizes fed in open-water allow to maintain fish under optimal conditions before and after experiments. A laboratory allows sampling, biometric or video-recording works. A wet room is dedicated to eggs, larvae or invertebrates rearing.

<div class="photo">

![Screenshot-2020-11-05-at-16.42.27.png](https://storage.googleapis.com/aq-cms-content/Screenshot_2020_11_05_at_16_42_27_42dbd14b61/Screenshot_2020_11_05_at_16_42_27_42dbd14b61.png)

<div class="photo-credit">Aquapôle large flume (l), Lapitxuri semi-natural stream (r). Photos: Cheziere/UPPA; Glise/INRA.</div>
</div>




**INRAE** is one of the biggest agricultural research organisations in the world. It is active in a wide variety of fields to address issues related to nutrition, agriculture and the INRAE provides support to the scientific community through different tools among which: databases, environmental research observatories, genetic resources centres, experimental platforms etc. **LIFE (Leaving in Freshwater and Estuaries)** is on elf the INRAE distributed infrastructure. It aims at providing to a broad scientific community, skills, tools, data and resources adapted to issues related to the study of biodiversity and continental aquatic environments. LIFE is built on the experimental/observatories entities of four laboratories working in the field of Aquatic ecology, among which U3E and UMR Ecobiop that manage respectively PEARL and ECP facilities.

Screenshot-2020-10-15-at-12.15.15.png

Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique

Meryem Beklioğlu

small_metu.jpg

thumbnail_metu.jpg

metu.jpg

**Description of the infrastructures:** At Middle East Technical University, Ankara campus, there are two different mesocosm systems which include in-lake floating system named METU Mesocosm System I (MMS I) and on-land buried system named METU Mesocosm System II (MMS II). 

**METU Mesocosm System I (MMS I)**

This system is in-lake system deployed at METU campus Experimental lake which is in close proximity to the Limnology Laboratory (<1 km). It is a semi-mobile system that can be transferred to other locations by dismantling and it consists of 16 cylindrical (1.2 m diameter) robust fibreglass tanks either in 1.2 m or 2.2 m height. In lake, the upper edges of all mesocosms are attached to pontoon bridges 20 cm above the water surface to avoid incursion of water during windy periods. Eight mesocosm tanks are arranged in two rows for ease of access. The pontoon bridges are wood constructions and the floating devices consist of 32 plastic barrels, each 120 L. It is free floating and anchored only at the platform end, which, irrespective of wind direction, serves as a wave breaker and landing point for boats.

The METU Mesocosm System I offers set-ups of low and high-water levels (1.2 and 2.2 m) and the connection to 10 cm sediment layers (90% (by volume) washed sand (grain size <1 mm) and 10% sediment from a lakes). To simulate shallow, fully mixed lake conditions, the water in the mesocosms is continuously circulated during experiments using electrically powered pumps.

<div class="photo">

![METU 11.png](https://storage.googleapis.com/aq-cms-content/METU_11_9aa281db7a/METU_11_9aa281db7a.png)

<div class="photo-credit"></div>
</div>

<div class="photo">

![METU 22.png](https://storage.googleapis.com/aq-cms-content/METU_22_3288c2f2fd/METU_22_3288c2f2fd.png)

<div class="photo-credit"></div>
</div>

<div class="photo">

![METU 44.png](https://storage.googleapis.com/aq-cms-content/METU_44_8cd122d206/METU_44_8cd122d206.png)

<div class="photo-credit"></div>
</div>

<div class="photo">

![METU 33.png](https://storage.googleapis.com/aq-cms-content/METU_33_5110562f8b/METU_33_5110562f8b.png)

<div class="photo-credit"></div>
</div>


**Description of METU Mesocosm System II**

METU Mesocosm System II is design to allow researchers to study shallow lake and pond ecosystems ecological structure, functions and diversity under the effects of global grand challenges. Especially MMS II is suitable for studying the effects of salinization on lakes as it is located in in arid Steppe climate where salinization is a major problem.

METU, Mesocosm System II includes 24 mesocosms, with 2m wide and 1.65m in height. They are buried into the ground up to 1m depth and each have 30 cm of sediment (1:1 ratio of washed sand and natural sediment form different lakes). To mimic the presence of wind induced current and prevent thermal stratification, water in each mesocosms is mixed via a pump.
Mesocosm System II includes 24 mesocosms, with 2m wide and 1.65m in height. They are buried into the ground up to 1m depth with 30 cm of sediment (1:1 ratio of washed sand and natural sediments from different lakes). To mimic the presence of wind induced current and prevent thermal stratification, water in each mesocosms is mixed via a submersible pump. The mesocosm are fed groundwater.

The system is still under development and we are aiming at equipping some (if not all) of the mesocosms with 1) a programmable, remote controlled electrical heating system, with heating is adjusted in reference to the ambient temperature tanks, sensors for temperature conductivity and dissolved oxygen allowing HF measurements, 3) flow-through-condition with adjustable hydraulic retention time. The mesocosm are arranged in the following configuration and also see the picture.
A similar system is established at the Marine Institute in Mersin at the south coast of Turkey.

<div class="photo">

![METU 66.png](https://storage.googleapis.com/aq-cms-content/METU_66_2c1a7cc611/METU_66_2c1a7cc611.png)

<div class="photo-credit"></div>
</div>

<div class="photo">

![METU 77.png](https://storage.googleapis.com/aq-cms-content/METU_77_2ccdea3b26/METU_77_2ccdea3b26.png)

<div class="photo-credit"></div>
</div>

We are able to measure physicochemical parameters, including water temperature, salinity, electrical conductivity, oxygen, pH, water transparency, alkalinity, suspended solids, color, nutrients (NO3, NO2, NH4, total nitrogen, PO4, and total phosphorus), major ions, and dissolved organic carbon, besides biological communities, such as bacterioplankton, phytoplankton, zooplankton, ciliates, heterotrophic nanoflagellates, periphyton, chlorophyll-a, major photosynthetic pigments, macrophyte cover, fish, and macroinvertebrates as well as metabolism, greenhouse gas emissions (CO2 and CH4), and decomposition.

The Limnology Laboratory, which operates the both METU Mesocosm Systems, is equipped with sampling gear, analytical instruments (e.g. auto-analyser for N, and other nutrient analyses, all kind of microscopes, HPLC, FlowCam, flow-cytometer, sampling gear for water, fish and macrophyte sampling) and a walk-in climate room, METU has a central laboratory facility which is equipped with elemental analyser (particulate C and N analyses), ICP-MS (trace elements analyses), Fourier transform infrared spectrometer (FTIR), as well as modern molecular-biology laboratories.


**Middle East Technical University (METU)**, founded in 1956, is an international research university which seeks excellence in serving the country, region and the world. The proof of concept of METU’s capacity to coordinate projects is given by the English Times Higher Education’s (THE) “World University Rankings Top 400 during 2012– 2013”. According to THE rankings of “Research (budget and reputation)”, “Impact of Research (citations)”, “Teaching and learning environment”, “Income from the industry” and “International dimension”, METU ranks 203rd in the world. METU is once again the only Turkish university which has entered the list of “Most Reputable 100 Universities of the World” by ranking in the 71–80 band in 2014, according to the Times Higher Education and Thomson Reuter. METU actively took part in and managed many projects under Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance (IPA) following 2007, especially 7th Framework Programme, currently H2020, as well as other International Projects such as COST, Eureka, NASA, NATO, NSF, UN, UNIDO, UNEP, World Bank, etc.

thumbnail_Screenshot-2020-10-21-at-14.32.33.png

Screenshot-2020-10-21-at-14.32.33.png

Middle East Technical University

Heidrun Feuchtmayr

Stephen Maberly

Outdoor – pelagic/benthic – freshwater

32 cylindrical insulated fibreglass outdoor mesocosms, each 1.0 m deep and 2.0 m in diameter (3000 L) arranged in four rows with eight mesocosms in each and 3 fibreglass tanks 1.0 m deep and 4.0 m in diameter (12000 L). The site was built in 2011 and is located around 2 miles from the CEH office.

small_camf.jpg

thumbnail_camf.jpg

camf.jpg

medium_CAMF-schematic-768x455-1.jpeg

small_CAMF-schematic-768x455-1.jpeg

thumbnail_CAMF-schematic-768x455-1.jpeg

CAMF-schematic-768x455-1.jpeg

medium_IMG_5163-768x512-1.jpeg

small_IMG_5163-768x512-1.jpeg

thumbnail_IMG_5163-768x512-1.jpeg

IMG_5163-768x512-1.jpeg

medium_IMG_5156-768x512-1.jpeg

small_IMG_5156-768x512-1.jpeg

thumbnail_IMG_5156-768x512-1.jpeg

IMG_5156-768x512-1.jpeg

The CEH Aquatic Mesocosm Facility (CAMF) comprises 32 cylindrical insulated fibreglass outdoor mesocosms, each 1.0m deep and 2.0m in diameter (3000 l and 3 large fibreglass tanks 1.0m deep and 4.0m in diameter (12000 l) The latter are mainly used as storage reservoir for water and various freshwater species. The site was built in 2011 and is located 2 miles from the UKCEH office. Electric heating elements are placed in each mesocosm to allow for climate warming experiments. Temperature in warmed mesocosms can be increased by up to 5 °C above the ambient water temperatures, controlled by a custom computer program. To prevent thermal stratification, purpose-built mixers suspended in the middle of the mesocosm, can be moved slowly up and down through the water column and can be operated on different mixing regimes. All mesocosms are equipped with automatic sensors measuring temperature, dissolved oxygen and photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) every 5 minutes. A weather station within the mesocosm compound measures wind speed and direction, precipitation, air temperature, barometric pressure and relative humidity. All data is logged at five-minute intervals and directly transferred to a server. The site has been used for various climate change experiments, focussing on multiple stressors, such as brownification, warming, eutrophication and extreme rainfall events on freshwater communities.

Equipment is housed in a laboratory on site available for storage, working space and sample preparation. There is tap water access as well as raw water supply from a nearby reservoir. Fully equipped laboratories (including a FlowCam and microscopes with image analysis systems) are available at UKCEH Lancaster, housing the UKCEH Centralised Analytical Chemistry Group, maintaining high standards of quality control and UKAS-accredited to ISO17025. Various multiprobes are available for fieldwork: DS5X, EXO2, AlgaeTorch.

<div class="photo">

![Screenshot-2020-11-05-at-16.46.37-1024x310.png](https://storage.googleapis.com/aq-cms-content/Screenshot_2020_11_05_at_16_46_37_1024x310_30b2e29bd3/Screenshot_2020_11_05_at_16_46_37_1024x310_30b2e29bd3.png)

<div class="photo-credit">CEH Aquatic Mesocosm Facility (CAMF): 32 outdoor tanks in the UK. Photos: H. Feuchtmayr.</div>
</div>



<p>The Centre for Ecology &amp; Hydrology (CEH) is a component of the <strong>UK Research and Innovation</strong> (UKRI) and the Natural Environmental Research Council (NERC), and is the UK’s Centre of Excellence for integrated research into terrestrial and freshwater ecosystems, and their interaction with the atmosphere. An integrated science structure allows effective communication of over 300 CEH science staff. The Lake Ecosystems Group is a productive team with extensive expertise on the physics, chemistry, biology and ecology of lake systems, and with a diverse research method portfolio that includes monitoring, experimentation, process and empirical modelling and molecular ecology. CEH hosts the Environmental Information Data Centre (EIDC), the UK national data centre for terrestrial and freshwater sciences. The EIDC provides services across the range of scientific communities and accepts environmental data in re-usable formats for curation, including long-term storage and public dissemination. The EIDC is an issuing agent for DataCite DOIs and has a DOI policy.</p>

thumbnail_logo (2).png

logo (2).png

United Kingdom Research and Innovation

Nadine Taylor

Hanna Schuster

**Outdoor freshwater static mesocosm systems.**

We have 99 flat bottomed and 100 unique sloped mesocosms which are designed to simulate edge of field environments. Our sloped mesocosms were installed in 2013, are 2.6 m long, 1 m wide and 0.7 m deep and are used for herbicide studies. The sloped mesocosms are designed to enable the incorporation of a wide variety of plant species, providing a habitat which mimics the plant community found in edge of field environments. Our flat bottomed mesocosms were installed in 2009, are 1.8 m long, 0.9 m wide and 0.8 m deep and are predominantly used in pesticide studies.

**Indoor laboratories.**

We have a GLP laboratory facility in which we can carry out higher tier chronic testing on multiple and single species under controlled conditions.

small_cea.jpg

cea.jpg

Cambridge Environmental Assessments (CEA) as part of RSK ADAS Ltd is a multi- disciplinary research and consultancy group, providing higher tier risk assessment and novel experimental studies to commercial and Government organisations. RSK hold a long-established, 199 mesocosm, certified facility, with a strong reputation for testing on multiple and single species can be carried out under controlled conditions as well as a microscopy lab for taxonomic identification of organism samples.

performing studies to regulatory standards. Mesocosms include 99 flat bottomed and 100 unique sloped mesocosms which are designed to simulate edge of field environments. Our sloped mesocosms were installed in 2013, are 2.6 m long, 1 m wide and 0.7 m deep and are used for herbicide studies. The sloped mesocosms are designed to enable the incorporation of a wide variety of plant species, providing a habitat which mimics the plant community found in edge of field environments. Our flat bottomed mesocosms were installed in 2009, are 1.8 m long, 0.9 m wide and 0.8 m deep and are predominantly used in pesticide studies. RSK have a laboratory facility in which higher tier chronic testing on multiple and single species can be carried out under controlled conditions as well as a microscopy lab for taxonomic identification of organism samples.

<div class="photo">

![Screenshot-2020-11-05-at-16.23.17-1024x307 (1).png](https://storage.googleapis.com/aq-cms-content/Screenshot_2020_11_05_at_16_23_17_1024x307_1_503f57855d/Screenshot_2020_11_05_at_16_23_17_1024x307_1_503f57855d.png)

<div class="photo-credit">Established flat bottomed mesocosms (left), Macrophytes within sloped mesocosm (right) in UK.</div>
</div>



Facilities

Transnational Access

Metadata & Data

Papers & Reports

Knowledge Base

CER Mesocosms

CER Mesocosms

Infrastructure Description

Facility Description

Organisation Address

Infrastructure Address

Information Sources

Location

Gallery

Contacts

Controlled Parameters

Research Topics

Experiment Years

TA Support

TA Modality of Access

TA Accommodation