On Friday June 9th 2023, the AQUACOSM-plus Early Career Researcher (ECR) network
core group organized a 1.5 hour workshop at the 2023 ASLO meeting in Palma de
Mallorca. 

On Friday June 9th 2023, the AQUACOSM-plus Early Career Researcher (ECR) network
core group organized a 1.5 hour workshop at the 2023 ASLO meeting in Palma de
Mallorca. The goal of this workshop was to connect ECRs performing or interested in
performing mesocosm based research both within and outside the AQUACOSM-plus
network with each other and to foster ECR led coordinated mesocosm research. We
provided an overview of the AQUACOSM-plus network, focusing particularly on work
package 3.2 which is aimed at training a new generation of mesocosm based researchers.
We highlighted the activities and achievements of the AQUACOSM-plus network, which
include four online events, a quarterly newsletter, and the facilitation of ECR-led
coordinated experiments. Attendees were encouraged to join the ECR network, with QR
codes provided to allow easy registration to our mailing list and newsletter.

![14_02_09-transformed.jpg](https://storage.googleapis.com/aq-cms-content/14_02_09_transformed_f9a138c783/14_02_09_transformed_f9a138c783.jpg)

Twenty five ECRs unaffiliated with the AQUACOSM-plus network attended this workshop
and engaged in discussion with us on how to coordinate and continue large-scale
mesocosm research after the completion of AQUACOSM-plus. Workshop attendees also
provided valuable feedback on how mesocosm community resources such as
mesocosm.org and the AQUACOSM-plus ECR network can be utilized to connect ECRs
with each other and to promote collaborative research projects, especially with ECRs
working across different aquatic systems. Some attendees discussed future collaboration
possibilities with each other on ongoing projects.

Finally, we highlighted how the Transnational Access program allows early career
researchers the opportunity to join mesocosm experiments planned at different facilities
within AQUACOSM-plus or to propose experiments that can run in tandem with planned
experiments. We emphasized that this was the last year of the transnational access
program and advertised calls which were currently open for transnational access. Through
this workshop, we were able to connect with many ECRs conducting mesocosm-based
research outside of the AQUACOSM-plus network and greatly expand our user base. We
would like to thank all of the attendees for their participation and look forward to meeting
them at future events. If you are interested in joining this network, please use this QR code
to join our mailing list and newsletter!

<img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/aq-cms-content/aq_qr_91f257353c/aq_qr_91f257353c.png" alt="QR Code" style="width: 150px; height: 150px;" />


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AQUACOSM-plus Early Career Researcher Workshop:“Expanding mesocosm-based research and collaboration among early career researchers”

Atmospheric carbon dioxide levels have reached historically unprecedented levels,
higher than at any time in the past 800,000 years, due to anthropogenic emissions. 

Atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO<sub>2</sub> ) levels have reached historically unprecedented levels,
higher than at any time in the past 800,000 years, due to anthropogenic emissions. The
strategy to respond to climate change includes primarily a drastic reduction of CO<sub>2</sub>
emissions, however, the current slow mitigation rate suggests to explore Carbon Dioxide
removal (CDR) technologies as additional tools to meet the global goal of limiting warming
to well below 2<sup>°</sup>C. Ocean Alkalinity Enhancement (OAE) is one of the most promising CDR
technologies, allowing active removal of atmospheric CO<sub>2</sub> by improving the sink capacity of
the ocean. OAE can be obtained by discharging alkaline material in the wake of ships as a
side activity of normal maritime traffic, but research is needed to assess potential negative
effects on the marine communities.

![IMG-20230601-WA0002.jpg](https://storage.googleapis.com/aq-cms-content/IMG_20230601_WA_0002_b80f5fc356/IMG_20230601_WA_0002_b80f5fc356.jpg)

Photo by: Alejandro Penin

In the context of OAE research, the OLIGOS (Ocean Liming in an OLIGOtrophic Sea)
mesocosm experiment is ongoing at the CRETACOSMOS facilities in Heraklion, on the
northern coast of Crete, Greece, in the frame of AlkalOcean, funded by the AQUACOSM-
plus Transnational Access (TA) program and by the OACIS initiative of Fondation Prince
Albert II de Monaco. The experimental design includes 9 mesocosm tanks of about 3 m<sup>3</sup>
each, for testing the response of the natural eastern Mediterranean waters to two different
treatments of Ca(OH)<sub>2</sub> slurry (High and Low concentrations). The experimental tanks are
filled with natural coastal seawater and are treated with slurry at days 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11 in
order to simulate the chronic disturbance expected from repeated discharge of SL from
ships. We use intense air bubbling to generate temporary surface water turbulence that
simulates water mixing in the wake of ships during slurry dispersion. The possible
precipitation of carbonate crystals is assessed by collecting the settling particles into a
sediment trap at the bottom of each mesocosm. The research investigates the response of
the most relevant components at the basis of the trophic web, playing also a primary role
in marine carbonate equilibria: DOM, plankton, with particular interest in calcareous
primary producers (coccolithophores) and benthic calcareous primary producers (maerl
collected from a local bed). During each treatment the carbonate equilibrium and the
dissolution kinetics are monitored by measuring temperature, conductivity of the solution,
and changes in pH. PAR (Photosynthetically Active Radiation) is monitored and visible
light is recorded by a dedicated sensor in each tank. The response of the C system and
the biological community to the slurry addition is assessed after each treatment by
analyses of alkalinity and DIC, DOC and POC concentrations, and optical properties
(absorption and fluorescence) of the chromophoric fraction of DOM. Plankton primary
production and community respiration, biomass and photosynthetic efficiency, community
composition and taxa dominance, are assessed by optical and SEM microscopy, flow
cytometry, chlorophyll concentration, changes in dissolved O<sub>2</sub> concentration after 24 h
light/dark in situ incubations, a zooplankton grazing experiment, and metagenomics. The
response of the benthic calcareous red algae will be assessed by checking for possible
pigment alteration, thallus integrity at the microscale, and epiphyte cover. The OLIGOS
experiment is performed by an international team led by Prof. Daniela Basso from
the  University of Milano-Bicocca (Italy), and coordinated by Dr. Paraskevi Pitta, HCMR (Greece).
The research team is composed of scientists from seven different countries, including
three Italian Institutions (University of Milano-Bicocca, Politecnico di Milano and CNR-IBF in
Pisa), the Hellenic Centre for Marine Research in Crete, Greece, the Marine Research Centre at
the University of Vigo (CIM-Uvigo, Spain), the Consejo Superior de Investigaciones
Científicas - CSIC (Barcelona, Spain), CONICET-CESIMAR (Argentina), the Norwegian

University for Science ad Technology - NTNU (Trondheim, Norway), MARBEC
(Montpellier, France) and the University of Zagreb (Croatia).

Stay tuned for updates on our AlkalOcean-OLIGOS experiment!

For further information contact: daniela.basso@unimib.it

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AlkalOcean-OLIGOS experiment at CRETACOSMOS facilities in Heraklion

The drinking water in the United Kingdom is sourced mainly from reservoirs, separate water companies supply different areas within the UK. Supplying a nation with surface water sources is challenging, especially in recent decades, with increasing climate warming and climate extremes. Apart from the obvious water quantity fluctuations, increasing problems with water quality are testing the Industry; one of these is taste and odour problems. Detectable by humans at very low concentrations (<10 ng L-1), compounds like Geosmin and 2-Methylisoborneol (2-MIB) are produced by a variety of freshwater plankton & bacteria. While some companies might not be aware of the problem as reservoir samples might not be taken and water treatment plants are able to cope and remove the compounds, others are well aware! Knowing that Taste and Odour fluctuate throughout the year and which species are likely responsible for high Geosmin or 2-MIB measurements, the question of what triggers those events remains. 

The team set out to answer just this question. Presenting the idea of a Taste and Odour mesocosm experiment to existing contacts in the Water Industry helped to get others on board, as well as teaming up with the Head of the Taste and Odour working group in the UK. Together, we managed to convince six drinking water companies to co-fund the mesocosm experiment. 

Water was collected from a reservoir known to suffer from re-occurring taste and odour problems with a 25,000 litre tanker doing three trips. The tanker offered a great opportunity for us to make pictures from our mesocosms site when climbing on top. 

![The UKCEH mesocosms facility in the UK](https://storage.googleapis.com/aq-cms-content/The_UKCEH_mesocosms_facility_in_the_UK_c18fd56dff/The_UKCEH_mesocosms_facility_in_the_UK_c18fd56dff.jpg)

Treatments of different phosphorus additions as well as different ammonium to nitrate ratios were established at the beginning of July 2022 while ensuring a molar N:P ratio of around 9 to encourage cyanobacteria growth. This resulted in 7 treatments which we replicated four times. A total of twelve TA users from Belgium, France, Germany, Greece and Turkey took part in our experiment. Cross mixing the water in the mesocosms at the beginning of July, the differences in climate adaptation became apparent: while English colleagues walked around the site in t-shirts, Belgians were dressed in light, long-sleeved tops and Greek TA-users were wrapped in thick winter jackets.  

Measurements of, and samples for, water temperature, solar radiation, pH, O2, TP, TN, TON, ammonia, SRP, viruses, chlorophyll a, cyanobacteria chlorophyll, eDNA, metagenomics, zooplankton abundance and microbiome, oxic methane, Geosmin and 2-MIB, cyanobacterial toxins and algal ID were taken every week. Results are still coming in, so we cannot say much about the outcomes currently. The team had a fantastic time and learned a lot from the exchange with the TA users.

![Thomas Pluym (Ghent University and KU Leuven, Belgium) and Nicolas Clercin (Aquabio Conseil and Ecole Des Ponts ParisTech, France) taking water samples. ](https://storage.googleapis.com/aq-cms-content/Taking_mesocosm_water_samples_0510789fc0/Taking_mesocosm_water_samples_0510789fc0.jpg)

![Theresa Völkl (Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität Munich, Germany) taking GHG measurements. ](https://storage.googleapis.com/aq-cms-content/Taking_GHG_measurements_to_study_drinking_water_quality_cf29d658fd/Taking_GHG_measurements_to_study_drinking_water_quality_cf29d658fd.jpg)




From left to right: Heidrun Feuchtmayr (UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology, UK), Ayca Cam, Gözde Özbayram and Zuhal Zengin (Istanbul University, Turkey), Ismail Ahmad (Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität Munich, Germany). 

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A collaboration with Drinking Water Industry: a mesocosm experiment on Taste and Odour in Lancaster, UK

Drinking Water Industry: a mesocosm experiment on Taste and Odour 

In October 2022, an experiment to assess the effect of alkalinisation on the plankton community and calcareous algae (maerl) was conducted in the frame of the AQUACOSM-plus Transnational Access (TA) program. This experiment, named OLCAPP, was conducted in the ECIMAT mesocosm facilities, belonging to the Marine Research Centre at the University of Vigo (CIM-Uvigo), in the NW coast of Spain. OLCAPP was led by Prof. Daniela Basso, from the University of Milano-Bicocca, in collaboration with three other researchers of her team, including Politecnico di Milano and CNR-IBF in Pisa (all of them funded by the TA program) and another 4 local researchers from the Marine Research Centre at the University of Vigo (CIM-Uvigo).

As atmospheric CO2 concentrations keep on rising, in spite of mitigation efforts, negative emission technologies are being developed to limit global warming. One of the techniques proposed for this aim is ocean liming, which allows the active removal of CO2 from the atmosphere, contrasting ocean acidification and being expected to favour bio-calcifiers. Slaked lime can be massively discharged within the wake of ships as a side activity of normal maritime traffic. Nevertheless, the effect on marine organisms is still little known; local pH peaks may have temporary and local effects both on plankton and pelagic ecosystems, that can lead to major disruptions. Additionally, ocean liming may induce CaCO3 precipitation during slaked lime dissolution, which might reduce the efficiency of CO2 uptake. Thus, further research is needed to determine the existence of possible negative effects, as well as to determine the concentrations that could be added for CO2 removal without affecting the marine communities.

In October 2022, an experiment to assess the effect of alkalinisation on the plankton community and calcareous algae (maerl) was conducted in the frame of the [AQUACOSM-plus Transnational Access](https://www.aquacosm.eu/transnational-access) (TA) program. This experiment, named OLCAPP, was conducted in the [ECIMAT mesocosm facilities](https://www.aquacosm.eu/mesocosms/estacion-de-ciencias-marinas-de-toralla-ecimat), belonging to the Marine Research Centre at the University of Vigo ([CIM-Uvigo](https://cim.uvigo.gal/en/)), in the NW coast of Spain. OLCAPP was led by Prof. Daniela Basso, from the [University of Milano-Bicocca](https://en.unimib.it/), in collaboration with three other researchers of her team, including [Politecnico di Milano](https://www.polimi.it/en) and [CNR-IBF](http://www.pi.ibf.cnr.it/?page_id=3315&lang=en) in Pisa (all of them funded by the TA program) and another 4 local researchers from the Marine Research Centre at the University of Vigo (CIM-Uvigo). 

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![5 scientists working outdoors next to a large pool with nets](https://storage.googleapis.com/aq-cms-content/news_post_image_1_10535331c1/news_post_image_1_10535331c1.jpg)

<div class="photo-credit">Photo credit: Dr. Jose Gonzalez Fernandez</div>
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The aim of OLCAPP was to determine the short- and medium-term responses of DOM (important C pool for heterotrophs), plankton community metabolism, and calcareous primary producers, to repeated alteration of pH and carbonate equilibrium, in a scenario of repeated liming to simulate dispersal in the wake of cruising ships. In this experiment were assessed: changes in DOM composition; primary production, photosynthetic efficiency and a potential shift in phytoplankton associations; the response of calcareous red algae (maerl) to alkalinisation and potential precipitation of carbonate crystals induced by the treatments. During the experiments, the slaked lime dissolution kinetics (alkalinity, pH spikes, DIC) were also monitored and modelled. 

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![close up photo of a blue net](https://storage.googleapis.com/aq-cms-content/news_post_image_2_1e88aa436d/news_post_image_2_1e88aa436d.jpg)

<div class="photo-credit">Photo credit: Dr. Jose Gonzalez Fernandez</div>
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The results of this experiment will be crucial to understand the processes taking place in the water column after the liming dispersal, and its effects on the marine organisms and to determine if this approach could be an effective tool for active CO2 removal. After this test in a highly productive region, such as the upwelling system in Ría de Vigo (NW Spain), more tests are planned in different regions, taking advantage also of the AQUACOSM-plus TA program, to compare the effects on different marine communities.

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![scientist smiling at the camera while sorting plankton](https://storage.googleapis.com/aq-cms-content/news_post_image_3_076e814c3f/news_post_image_3_076e814c3f.jpg)

<div class="photo-credit">Photo credit: Dr. Jose Gonzalez Fernandez</div>
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scientist smiling at the camera, working outdoors

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This experiment, named OLCAPP, was conducted in the ECIMAT mesocosm facilities, belonging to the Marine Research Centre at the University of Vigo (CIM-Uvigo).

Testing alkalinisation as a potential mitigation tool for ocean acidification

Testing alkalinisation as a potential tool for ocean acidification

*Stella Berger, Christian Dilewski, Alexis Guislain, Iordanis Magiopoulos, Sébastien Mas, Behzad Mostajir, Jens Nejstgaard, David Parin, Paraskevi Pitta, Tanguy Soulié, Katerina Symiakaki, Anastasia Tsiola, Francesca Vidussi*

Severe anomalous warming events, known as Marine Heat Waves (MHWs), are expected to increase under continued global warming. Although the effect of the temperature increase has been investigated in multiple systems, little is known about the response of plankton communities to Marine Heat Waves (MHV). MHVs are expected to be a major driver of aquatic ecosystems and can modify the interactions between different groups of plankton and shift the structure and functioning of the community, sometimes to an irreversible level.

During a [Transnational Access of JERICO-S3](https://www.jerico-ri.eu/ta/), called the '[Joint JERICO-S3 and AQUACOSM-plus study on Baltic Sea heatwaves](https://www.jerico-ri.eu/2022/09/06/joint-jerico-s3-and-aquacosm-plus-study-on-baltic-sea-heatwaves/)', twelve indoor mesocosms were used to simulate different levels of MHWs at the Finnish Environment Institute ([SYKE](https://www.syke.fi/en-US)) in Helsinki from late August to early September 2022, in order to study their impact on the Baltic Sea plankton communities.

Five scientists from the [Leibniz Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries IGB](https://www.igb-berlin.de/en) (Germany), three scientists from the [Hellenic Centre for Marine Research HCMR](https://www.hcmr.gr/en/) (Greece) and five scientists from the [National Centre for Scientific Research CNRS](https://www.cnrs.fr/en/cnrs) (France), all benefitting from the Transnational Access support of [JERICO-S3](https://www.jerico-ri.eu/projects/jerico-s3/), participated in this mesocosm experiment in collaboration with more than fifteen scientists of the host laboratory SYKE. 

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<div class="photo-credit">Photo credits: Behzad Mostajir, Stella Berger, Jens Nejstgaard, Maiju Lehtiniemi, Katerina Symiakaki, Katri Kuuppo and Anastasia Tsiola. Photo collage credit: Katri Kuuppo.</div>
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Several physical, chemical and biological variables were monitored for 10 days using various high-frequency sensors, image-based analysis instrumentation and discrete water sampling from mesocosms to estimate the metabolic changes of plankton communities, to identify planktonic species and traits, their abundances and biomasses, and interactions between organisms. As a collaborative team of experts, we could follow the physicochemical environment and the dynamics of planktonic organisms from viruses to zooplankton under different temperature treatments simulating heat waves. In addition, we studied the response of the in-situ microbial and plankton communities to temperature changes, during the warm period of 2022, through regular samplings at the same geographical area from which the mesocosm water was collected.

This great and fruitful collaboration underlines the scientific gain of combination between the experimentation realised in the mesocosms based on the environmental scenarios that come from the observations. This collaboration was a unique opportunity for a common research activity between two state-of-the-art Research Infrastructures, one Experimental-[AQUACOSM-plus](https://www.aquacosm.eu/) and one Observational-[JERICO-S3](https://www.jerico-ri.eu/projects/jerico-s3/). We expect to compare and combine the findings from both, the mesocosm experiment and the in-situ samplings with an aim to develop a more complete picture of the effects of Marine Heat Waves on the planktonic communities and related ecosystem functions of the Baltic Sea. We expect that these results will have relevance for a wider range of planktonic systems under temperature stress, especially in other boreal and temperate areas, where the strongest effects of seasonally increased temperatures have been shown for e.g. terrestrial systems.


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During a Transnational Access of JERICO-S3, called the “Joint JERICO-S3 and AQUACOSM-plus study on Baltic Sea heatwaves”, twelve indoor mesocosms were used to simulate different levels of MHWs.

Our experiences of RI-RI collaboration, Helsinki 2022

Our Experiences of RI-RI Collaboration, Helsinki 2022

We are excited to bring you the latest news from AQUACOSM-plus in our December newsletter.

AQUACOSM-plus is a network of leading ecosystem-scale experimental aquatic mesocosm facilities connecting rivers, lakes, estuaries and oceans in Europe and beyond. 

<a class="btn btn-primary" href="https://storage.googleapis.com/aq-cms-content/AQUACOSM_plus_Newsletter_eae73e6c43/AQUACOSM_plus_Newsletter_eae73e6c43.pdf">Download AQUACOSM-plus Newsletter</a>

![first page of the AQUACOSM-plus newsletter](https://storage.googleapis.com/aq-cms-content/A_Qplus_newsletter_imagee_8154965b5f/A_Qplus_newsletter_imagee_8154965b5f.png)


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Read the latest news from AQUACOSM-plus, a network of leading ecosystem scale experimental aquatic mesocosm facilities connecting rivers, lakes, estuaries and oceans in Europe and beyond.

AQUACOSM-plus Newsletter - December 2022

AQUACOSM-plus Early Career Researcher Network Newsletter.

Read the latest news from the AQUACOSM-plus Early Career Researcher Network (ECR). The network brings together the ECRs on one platform for even more innovative projects and collaborations.

<a href="https://storage.googleapis.com/aq-cms-content/AQUACOSM_plus_Early_Career_Newsletter_Dec2022_1_b9b8c779c6/AQUACOSM_plus_Early_Career_Newsletter_Dec2022_1_b9b8c779c6.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><button class="btn btn-primary" type="button">Download AQUACOSM-plus Early Career Newsletter</button></a>


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AQUACOSM-plus Early Career Researcher Network Newsletter

We ran a heatwave experiment at two salinities under eutrophic conditions with 4 replicates of each treatment at [METU Mesocosm System](https://www.aquacosm.eu/mesocosms/metu-mesocosm-system). The experiment was conducted at two different localities, with contrasting climatic conditions: Ankara (Semi-arid, steppe and cold climate  (BSk), mean temperature of 12.6°C); and Mersin (Mediterranean, temperate climate with dry and hot summer (Csa), mean temperature of 20.1°C) (Figure 1).  

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![Figure 1. The geographical location (A) and an aerial view of the mesocosm facilities used for the heatwave experiment with two contrasting salinities in  Ankara  (B)  and  Mersin (C). Photos: B – Cihelio Amorim; C - Korhan Özkan. ](https://storage.googleapis.com/aq-cms-content/location_ank_mer_1_ae642fa535/location_ank_mer_1_ae642fa535.jpeg)

<div class="photo-credit">Figure 1. The geographical location (A) and an aerial view of the mesocosm facilities used for the heatwave experiment with two contrasting salinities in Ankara (B) and  Mersin (C). Photos: B – Cihelio Amorim; C - Korhan Özkan. </div>
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During the first three weeks of the experiment, there was no heating in all mesocosms, followed by two weeks of a heatwave, with a 6ºC increase in half of the mesocosms. Then the mesocosms were monitored for the next three weeks during the recovery period with no heating in all mesocosms. The two salinities selected were: 4 ppt and 40 ppt. At lower salinities, fish (*Alburnus alburnus*) was added and survived during the entire experiment, whereas at higher salinity, Artemia was added but survived only in the first weeks. The mesocosms have 30cm of sediment and submerged macrophytes (Ruppia spp.). The salinity in all mesocosms was adjusted one month before the start of the experiment through the additions of NaCl and Na2SO4. After that, plankton and sediment inoculums from systems with different salinities were added in equal amounts to all mesocosms. 

The sampling of the mesocosms was conducted twice a week. Nutrient loading, water level adjustment, as well as salt dosing/adjustment were carried out weekly. The experiment started on 29th August and ended on 3rd November (Figure  2). Several other side experiments were conducted in Ankara Mesocosms facility by [AQUACOSM-plus TAs](https://www.aquacosm.eu/transnational-access). Those experiments aimed to understand the effects of zooplankton or Artemiagrazing on phytoplankton and the impacts of nutrient additions (nitrogen, phosphorus, and silica) on phytoplankton. The experiments were performed before, during and after the heatwave. 

The measured variables included standard physicochemical variables, major ions, phytoplankton, ciliates, HNF, zooplankton, diel-O2-metabolism, GHG release, metagenomic samples (bacteria/ eukaryotes), pigments, DOC/TOC, among others.

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![Figure  2. The general design of the mesocosms and temperature variation in the treatments with ambient temperature and heated mesocosms in Ankara and Mersin mesocosm facilities.](https://storage.googleapis.com/aq-cms-content/a207b161_e5d9_4417_9f47_4ea2f33b24c4_resized_b3d94cb4f6/a207b161_e5d9_4417_9f47_4ea2f33b24c4_resized_b3d94cb4f6.jpg)

<div class="photo-credit">Figure 2. The general design of the mesocosms and temperature variation in the treatments with ambient temperature and heated mesocosms in Ankara and Mersin mesocosm facilities.</div>
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We ran a heatwave experiment at two salinities under eutrophic conditions with 4 replicates of each treatment at METU Mesocosm System. 

Heatwave experiment in mesocosm systems with contrasting salinities

Within AQUACOSM-plus, some of the Grand Challenges for aquatic ecosystems (e.g. eutrophication, global warming, salinisation, greenhouse gas emissions) will be investigated by mesocosm experimentation. Within WP 8.1 (Led by Ludwig-Maximilians-Universitaet Muenchen) we performed an experimental investigation of Grand Challenges using a mobile and lightweight mesocosm system (developed earlier in this project, in WP 7.1, by the same partner) and cost-efficient sensor system.

Within[ AQUACOSM-plus](https://www.aquacosm.eu/aquacosm-plus), some of the Grand Challenges for aquatic ecosystems (e.g. eutrophication, global warming, salinisation, greenhouse gas emissions) will be investigated by mesocosm experimentation. Within [WP 8.1](https://www.aquacosm.eu/aquacosm-plus/work-packages) (Lead by [Ludwig-Maximilians-Universitaet Muenchen](https://www.lmu.de/de/index.html)) we performed an experimental investigation of Grand Challenges using a mobile and lightweight mesocosm system (developed earlier in this project, in WP 7.1, by the same partner) and cost-efficient sensor system.

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![Mobile lightweight mesocosm system setup for pelagic mesocosms. In total 6 mesocosms, where 3 are covered with red foil. Yellow floaters can hold 500kg each and prevent higher waves.](https://storage.googleapis.com/aq-cms-content/Foto1_resized_23cb608919/Foto1_resized_23cb608919.jpeg)

<div class="photo-credit">Figure 1: Mobile lightweight mesocosm system setup for pelagic mesocosms. In total 6 mesocosms, where 3 are covered with red foil. Yellow floaters can hold 500kg each and prevent higher waves. Credit: Maria Stockenreiter</div>
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Among many other effects, global warming often has a positive effect on the development of cyanobacterial blooms, especially in shallow lakes. Due to the faster warming of the water column in spring, a stronger and more shallow stratification can establish. Studies show that such changes in stratification can have a lasting effect on the composition of the phytoplankton community. Very often, an increased risk of cyanobacterial blooms is mentioned in connection with warming and simultaneous eutrophication. Our own studies, however, show that even the sole change in stratification can lead to increased cyanobacterial blooms. Phytoplankton at shallow mixing depth is confronted with an altered light climate compared to deeper mixing. Phytoplankton at shallow mixing depths is exposed to a broader light spectrum and, thus, more red light. The consequence, according to theoretical predictions and a previous mesocosm experiment, is that this leads to increased cyanobacterial abundance. The reason for this is the ability of cyanobacteria to use the red spectrum wavelengths of light much better for photosynthesis than other phytoplankton. Previous experiments tried to reveal this in mesocosm experiments with mesocosms of different depths. However, different depth mesocosms pose a problem of holding different water volumes, which might also strongly influence nutrient availability and temperature regimes and, therefore, biomass. One way to avoid this is to actively change the incident light spectrum into the mesocosms while maintaining the same experimental volume. For this purpose, we established a mesocosm setup that had constant experimental volume but manipulated the red-light distribution across experimental treatments. 

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![Installing sensor systems with solar panels.](https://storage.googleapis.com/aq-cms-content/Foto2_resized_2952d86680/Foto2_resized_2952d86680.jpg)

<div class="photo-credit">Figure 2: Installing sensor systems with solar panels. Credit: Eti Levi</div>
</div>

Another Grand Challenge is the emission of greenhouse gases from ponds and lakes. Experimental testing of the role of aquatic systems in greenhouse gas emissions and carbon uptake is critical to understand the driving mechanisms of gas fluxes between aquatic systems and the atmosphere. CO2 dynamics vary over short time scales and CH4 emissions in shallow waters are dominated by ebullition, which is episodic in nature and discrete in space and time. Reliable estimation requires near-continuous sampling. A prototype of a cost-effective sensor system consisting of a measuring chamber, a sensor package and a flushing mechanism capable of such near-continuous measurement of CO2, and CH4 gas fluxes in mesocosm experiments was developed in WP 7 (Lead by the [Aarhus Universitet](https://www.au.dk/en)). Recent research opened the question of how strong cyanobacteria are involved in the above-described gas fluxes. Hence, we combined the approach of inducing cyanobacterial blooms by light quality manipulations with high-frequency measurements of CO2 and CH4. For that, we installed 12 mesocosms and the necessary sensor units in the shallow Pike Lake (Romanian: Lacul Stiucilor), Transylvania, Romania and performed the experiment with researchers from the Institute of Biological Research Cluj ([ICBCN](https://english.icbcluj.ro/)), Romania. Six of the enclosures were pelagic mesocosms, six also enclosed the sediment (benthic-pelagic). The experiment lasted four weeks; stay tuned for the outcome.

<div class="photo">

![One sensor system for each mesocosm. Lifting device for swimming chamber where sensors are attached. Each system has a control device connected to a solar panel. ](https://storage.googleapis.com/aq-cms-content/Foto3_resized_6e0b04cf79/Foto3_resized_6e0b04cf79.jpg)

<div class="photo-credit">Figure 3: One sensor system for each mesocosm. Lifting device for swimming chamber where sensors are attached. Each system has a control device connected to a solar panel. Credit: Eti Levi</div>
</div>







Mobile light weight mesocosm system setup for pelagic mesocosms. In total 6 mesocosms, where 3 are covered with red foil. Yellow floaters can hold 500kg each and prevent for higher waves.

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feature image aqplus news.jpeg

Grand Challenges for aquatic ecosystems (e.g. eutrophication, global warming, salinisation, greenhouse gas emissions) will be investigated by mesocosm experimentation.

MesoPike- experimentally testing 'Grand Challenges' with mobile light weight mesocosms and sensor systems

MesoPike- experimentally testing 'Grand Challenges'

It was the end of February 2022, I was at home with my daughter Maria (7 months old at the time), on a crazy day of insanity and laughter, when I read Vivi’s mail (Paraskevi Pitta) asking me to talk on the phone when I had some free time. She said, ‘I want to ask you something’. That’s how the discussion to submit a proposal to [JERICO-S3 Transnational Access](https://www.jerico-ri.eu/ta/) to participate in the upcoming mesocosm experiment at the [SYKE Marine Research Center facility](https://www.aquacosm.eu/mesocosm/syke-mrc-marine-research-centre-mesocosm-facility/) in Finland began.

It was the end of February 2022, I was at home with my daughter Maria (7 months old at the time), on a crazy day of insanity and laughter, when I read Vivi’s mail (Paraskevi Pitta) asking me to talk on the phone when I had some free time. She said, ‘I want to ask you something’. That’s how the discussion to submit a proposal to [JERICO-S3 Transnational Access](https://www.jerico-ri.eu/ta/) to participate in the upcoming mesocosm experiment at the [SYKE Marine Research Center facility](https://aquacosm.netlify.app/mesocosms/syke-mrc-marine-research-centre-mesocosm-facility) in Finland began. I remember listening carefully to Vivi as she explained the focus of the experiment (heat wave effects in the Baltic Sea plankton community), what we would be working on, when it would start and how long it would last (about 2 weeks), when the deadline for submitting the proposal was, who would go and so on. All good, with some questions (which were reasonable), but all good. Except for one thing that was running around in my mind and made everything doubtful – what about Maria?

<div class="photo">

![small child playing in sand](https://storage.googleapis.com/aq-cms-content/Maria_at_the_playground_1_scaled_e1667404566644_a2c73bb783/Maria_at_the_playground_1_scaled_e1667404566644_a2c73bb783.jpg)

<div class="photo-credit">Photo credit: Anastasia Tsiola</div>
</div>

Vivi had read my mind from the beginning and before she had even finished the description, she eased my worries by simply saying, ‘I’ll do the babysitting!’. Things were starting to fall into place and I could make plans again. The truth is, it is one thing for Anastasia to become a ‘mother’, but it is another thing for the mother to become ‘Anastasia’ again. I imagine this is something that many female scientists have experienced, an otherwise normal process that may take time, with anxiety about the future, anxiety about the CV and its ups and downs, regret over a missed opportunity or other negative emotions, that are simultaneously mixed in a magical way with the overwhelming feelings of holding your baby in your arms.

<div class="photo">

![man watching child play in field](https://storage.googleapis.com/aq-cms-content/Maria_and_Dimitris_at_the_meadows_1_1_e1667404629506_9fd970c866/Maria_and_Dimitris_at_the_meadows_1_1_e1667404629506_9fd970c866.jpg)

<div class="photo-credit">Photo credit: Anastasia Tsiola</div>
</div>

With the support of Vivi and Iordanis Magiopoulos from the [Hellenic Centre for Marine Research (HCMR)](https://www.hcmr.gr/en/), who from the first moment declared and really offered their best during our stay in Helsinki, and also with the enormous help from the [SYKE](https://www.syke.fi/en-US) staff (especially Katri Kuuppo, Jukka Seppälä, and Timo Tamminen), our participation in the experiment became a reality! Maria was there too, she not only explored parks, playgrounds, the zoo, and vast meadows, but also the university campus and the mesocosms facility! Our TA application was accepted by [JERICO-S3](https://www.jerico-ri.eu/) and we arrived in Helsinki on August 19th to prepare for the [‘In-door mesocosm experiment studying how heat wave affects the late summer Baltic Sea plankton community’](https://aquacosm.netlify.app/news/article/effects-of-consecutive-heat-waves-on-the-resistance-resilience-and-recovery-of-marine-plankton-communities-heat-waves) that would be carried out jointly by the [JERICO-S3](https://www.jerico-ri.eu/projects/jerico-s3/) and [AQUACOSM-plus](https://aquacosm.netlify.app/aquacosm-plus) projects. Vivi, Iordanis, and I undertook to collect samples for viral and bacterial cell enumeration by flow cytometry and microplankton by inverted microscopy back at [HCMR](https://www.hcmr.gr/en/). We also prepared 24-hour incubations for the estimation of viral production rates by the viral reduction method, working shifts until 22:00 at night to check whether the temperature increase affects the viral activity. Fifteen challenging days followed in a perfectly organised laboratory and a very friendly, cheerful, and helpful local team who bonded nicely with external participants. I met again dear colleagues from past experiments: Behzad Mostajir (I also met his wife Francesca Vidussi and they told stories about their daughters!) with familiar faces from their team at [CNRS-MARBEC MEDIMEER](https://aquacosm.netlify.app/mesocosms/medimeer-mediterranean-platform-for-marine-ecosystem-experimental-research) in Sète, and Jens Nejstgaard, Stella Berger, and their team from the [IGB LakeLab](https://aquacosm.netlify.app/mesocosms/igb-lakelab) in Lake Stechlin, Neuglobsow. In addition to Finnish, Maria heard English, Italian, German, and Spanish, walked around the whole building many times, learned to go downstairs with her butt, mopped and crawled many corridors at the university, ate special delicacies and cheeses, played the piano in a restaurant, saw a tiger at the zoo, she scribbled with markers on the board where the instructions for the experiment were written, always safely away from the labs where the chemical reagents were kept, and always away from work she might interfere with. She was covered at night with the bed sheets lent to us by Katri and Timo’s grandchildren and received all the love and care that any child deserves from people around her, thus leaving time for mom to run an experiment, read a paper, and participate in a meeting to discuss graphs!

<div class="photo">

![two people holding a small child at the zoo, looking at a tiger](https://storage.googleapis.com/aq-cms-content/Maria_Vivi_and_Dimitris_watching_the_tiger_1_scaled_e1667404710838_6bd6d95b87/Maria_Vivi_and_Dimitris_watching_the_tiger_1_scaled_e1667404710838_6bd6d95b87.jpg)

<div class="photo-credit">Photo credit: Anastasia Tsiola</div>
</div>

Finally, the answer to Vivi’s email (‘I want to ask you something’) was ‘Yes, I want to go to this experiment’, but it would not have come true without the support of the whole team and my husband Dimitris who was also there taking care of Maria during the first days. I wish that all women who are in science first and foremost ‘ask for’ and then ‘receive’ the help they need to make their dreams come true.

<div class="photo">

![scientist with bread in his mouth playing with baby crawling on the floor](https://storage.googleapis.com/aq-cms-content/Maria_meets_Jens_1_310e972225/Maria_meets_Jens_1_310e972225.jpg)

<div class="photo-credit">Photo credit: Anastasia Tsiola</div>
</div




thumbnail_little maria zoo tiger resized featured image.jpg

little maria zoo tiger resized featured image.jpg

I wish that all women who are in science first and foremost ‘ask for’ and then ‘receive’ the help they need to make their dreams come true.

Participation in a mesocosm experiment at SYKE-Helsinki: HCMR team and little Maria

mesocosm experiment at SYKE-Helsinki: HCMR team and little Maria

Participation in a mesocosm experiment at SYKE-Helsinki: HCMR team and little Maria 

Many ecosystems, including lakes, are exposed to increasing intensities and frequencies of extreme weather events due to climate change, including heavier and flashier rainfalls and prolonged drought periods in summer. This results in more variable resource (nutrient and carbon) regimes that encompass stochastic to periodic fluctuations in environmental conditions, gradual environmental changes as well as pulse events, i.e. abrupt unpredictable changes in resources. How this affects plankton communities and ecosystem processes are currently still unclear.

The mesocosm experiments were conducted in two lakes in Sweden (Lake Erken and Lake Bolmen) in a fully synchronised way using the [SITES AquaNet infrastructure](https://aquacosm.netlify.app/mesocosms/sites-aquanet). We used exactly the same set-up, sampling design and autonomous sensor system in mesocosms installed in both lakes. This gives the unique possibility to compare the treatment effect on a variety of different response variables (see below) between the two lakes, which differ, for example, in water colour and nutrient concentrations.

More specifically we focused on the effects of different run-off scenarios focusing particularly on differences in resource pulse variability (including organic and inorganic nutrients) over a time period of 6 weeks in the summer of 2022. This was done by manipulating the intensity and frequency of DOC (peat extract) and inorganic nutrients (N, P) added to the mesocosms while keeping the total amount of added DOC and nutrients constant. We ‘simulated’ a rainfall period lasting for 3 weeks, followed by a recovery period of approx. 2 weeks to see if the effects of the runoff manipulations persisted beyond the simulated rainfall period. Changes in zoo-, phyto-, and bacterioplankton composition and biomass/abundance, DOM composition, metabolism, greenhouse gas emissions, and nutrient stoichiometry in response to the different run-off treatments are analysed by the project participants.

<div class="photo">

![composite image of scientists working at mesocosm facility](https://storage.googleapis.com/aq-cms-content/aquacosm_post_composite_image_1_86b0c290e0/aquacosm_post_composite_image_1_86b0c290e0.png)

<div class="photo-credit">Filling of mesocosm in lakes Bolmen (left) and cleaning of sensor system in Lake Erken (right).</div>
</div>


<div class="photo">

![composite image of scientists working at mesocosm facility](https://storage.googleapis.com/aq-cms-content/mesocosm_news_image_2_redo_e1665499612357_0635e5d403/mesocosm_news_image_2_redo_e1665499612357_0635e5d403.png)

<div class="photo-credit">DOC/nutrient additions (left) and mesocosm sampling (right) done during the experiment.</div>
</div>

<div class="photo">

![composite image of scientists working at mesocosm facility](https://storage.googleapis.com/aq-cms-content/mesocosm_aquacosm_image_2_redo_try_3_e1665500905928_1_a5bddd8b8a/mesocosm_aquacosm_image_2_redo_try_3_e1665500905928_1_a5bddd8b8a.png)


<div class="photo-credit">Flux chambers used to measure fluxes of greenhouse gases and volatile organic substances from the mesocosms (top left), sample preparation (top right) and filtrations (bottom left) in the lab and sampling of the mesocosms for grazing experiments (bottom right).</div>
</div>


The experiment brought together an international team of experts and students from Spain, Turkey, Ireland, Hungary and the Czech Republic funded by the [Transnational Access (TA)](https://aquacosm.netlify.app/transnational-access) program of[ AQUACOSM-plus](https://aquacosm.netlify.app/) and participants from AQUACOSM-plus partners at [IGB](https://www.igb-berlin.de/en) (Germany), [Oldenburg University](https://uol.de/) (Germany), and [Uppsala University](https://www.uu.se/en). Finally, researchers from [Lund University](https://www.lunduniversity.lu.se/) (Sweden) also joined the project.


<div class="photo">

![group photo of scientists](https://storage.googleapis.com/aq-cms-content/group_picture_1_scaled_e1665134106999_ce98a05ebf/group_picture_1_scaled_e1665134106999_ce98a05ebf.jpg)

<div class="photo-credit">Group picture with the majority of project participants. Upper row from left to right: Kevin Jones, (<a href="https://www.lunduniversity.lu.se/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Lund University</a>, SE), Don Pierson (<a href="https://www.uu.se/en" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Uppsala University</a>, SE), Emma Gray (<a href="https://www.atu.ie/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Atlantic Technological University</a>, IE, TA user), Nils Kreuter (Uppsala University, SE), Bence Buttyán (<a href="https://www.elte.hu/en/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Eötvös Loránd University</a>, HU, TA user), Bence Gergácz (Eötvös Loránd University, HU, TA user), Anika Happe (<a href="https://uol.de/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">University of Oldenburg</a>, DE), Juha Rankinen (<a href="https://www.swedenwaterresearch.se/en/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Sweden Water Research</a>, SE), Gabriela Ágreda López (Uppsala University, SE), Stella Berger (<a href="https://www.igb-berlin.de/en" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">IGB Berlin</a>, DE), Eleni Charmpila Oppong (<a href="https://cuni.cz/uken-1.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Charles University</a>, CZ, TA user), Jimmy Clifford Oppong (Charles University, CZ, TA user), Nusret Karakaya (<a href="http://www.ibu.edu.tr/en" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Bolu Abant Izzet Baysal University</a>, TR, TA user), Pelin Ertürk Ari (Bolu Abant Izzet Baysal University, TR, TA user), Akif Ari (Bolu Abant Izzet Baysal University, TR, TA user). Lower row from left to right: Angela Pedregal (<a href="https://www.icra.cat/index.php?lang=3" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">ICRA Catalan Institute for Water Research</a>, TA user), Johanna Sjöstedt (Lund University, SE), Silke Langenheder (<a href="https://www.uu.se/en" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Uppsala University</a>, SE), Jens Nejstgaard (IGB Berlin, DE), William Colom (Uppsala University, SE).</div>
</div>


For more information contact Silke Langenheder (UU), <a href="mailto:silke.langenheder@ebc.uu.se">silke.langenheder@ebc.uu.se</a>. 

Pictures were provided by Matilda Andersson (<a href="https://www.slu.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">SLU</a>), Stella Berger (IGB), and Nusret Karakaya (<a href="http://www.ibu.edu.tr/en" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Bolu Abant Izzet Baysal University</a>).






thumbnail_group picture feature image.JPG

group picture feature image.JPG

Synchronised experiment to investigate consequences of run-off variability on plankton communities in Swedish lakes

experiment - consequences of run-off on plankton in Swedish lakes 

If you go to the coastline and look far away at the open sea, you will notice the beautiful scene of the sky and the sea to be connected. Even from the early days of our planet, the atmosphere and the oceans were in constant and close connection, exchanging gases and particles, and we can now say that their current form is mainly due to their 4-billion-year relationship.

We know that the deposition of atmospheric particles is an important source of macro-nutrients and micro-trace elements in the ocean. Especially in low-nutrient low-chlorophyll (LNLC) areas, such as the Eastern Mediterranean Sea, the deposition of aerosols stimulates primary and secondary productivity. It affects ecosystem function and diversity up to the copepod level. Those effects can be more significant when Saharan dust, rich in phosphorus and nitrogen, is deposited in the sea, after strong southern winds. However, in most current studies, these observations have been attributed solely to nutrient addition, as if the atmosphere contains only nutrients. 

It is well known that aerosols also contain microbes that originated from the Earth’s surface. These microbes can travel globally via air currents and survive in the atmosphere, presenting metabolic activity and even replication. Eventually, airborne microbes return to the land surface or end up in the sea through the mechanisms of dry and (mainly) wet (precipitation of rain, snow, and hail) deposition. But we don’t know what is ‘happening’ to them upon their deposition into the ocean or how they could affect the marine ecosystem. 

In May 2022, two Research Infrastructure Networks, an experimental one – [AQUACOSM-plus](https://aquacosm.netlify.app/aquacosm-plus), and an observational one – [Jerico-S3](https://www.jerico-ri.eu/projects/jerico-s3/), closely collaborated to study the effects of various atmospheric deposition scenarios on an ultra-oligotrophic marine ecosystem. To this end, scientists from Switzerland, France, Italy, Finland, Spain, Austria, Norway, and Argentina gathered at the mesocosm facility [CretaCosmos](https://aquacosm.netlify.app/mesocosms/cretacosmos) of the [Hellenic Centre for Marine Research](https://www.hcmr.gr/en/) (HCMR), located on the north coast of Crete, Greece. Due to its location, CretaCosmos is the only place in Europe where truly oligotrophic waters can be studied in a mesocosm facility, combined with excellent laboratory access.

Water from the north coast of Crete was collected and distributed into 9 mesocosm bags of 3.5 m3 each. At the same time, aerosol collectors were installed by HCMR, the [University of Crete](https://en.uoc.gr/)-Greece, [EPFL-Switzerland](https://www.epfl.ch/en/), and the [University of Oslo](https://www.uio.no/english/)-Norway in two locations. One Urban and one Rural site; the first one was placed at the centre of Heraklion city (a 180,000 inhabitants coastal city), the second one placed at a remote village of South-East Crete (100 people, at 700 m altitude surrounded by olive groves and pine forests). The aerosol samples collected from the above sites were inoculated inside the mesocosms directly, without any further processing, and they were considered ‘live’, i.e. containing viable microbes.

<div class="photo">

![aerosol samplers rural site image](https://storage.googleapis.com/aq-cms-content/Aerosol_Samplers_Rural_Site_1_scaled_e1664188223342_d3966ed6f1/Aerosol_Samplers_Rural_Site_1_scaled_e1664188223342_d3966ed6f1.jpg)

<div class="photo-credit">Figure 1. The installation of High-Vol and Coriolis aerosol samplers at the Rural Site (Orino Ierapetras, Crete, Greece). Credit: I. Magiopoulos.</div>
</div>

In addition, Saharan dust was collected from the Heraklion centre, immediately after a major dust event which occurred two weeks prior to the experiment, and was used to examine and compare the effects of these two different types of aerosols on the marine environment.

During this 2 week experiment, the full microbial and plankton communities, from viruses to copepods, were studied. Scientists from the [University of Vienna](https://www.univie.ac.at/en/) measured the viral production, a team from the [University of Vigo](https://www.uvigo.gal/en) focused on the primary and bacterial activity measurements, while the microplankton community was studied using both imaging flow cytometers, from the [Mediterranean Institute of Oceanology](https://www.mio.osupytheas.fr/en), Marseille, and HCMR, and conventional microscopy. Finally, metagenomic analysis, with special emphasis on potential pathogens and antibiotic-resistant genes, was undertaken by [MEG-IRSA](http://www.meg.irsa.cnr.it/) in Verbania. 

<div class="photo">

![the mesocosm bags and in situ incubation for bacterial respiration ](https://storage.googleapis.com/aq-cms-content/The_mesocosm_bags_and_insitu_incubation_for_bacterials_respiration_1_scaled_e1664188438276_9214697574/The_mesocosm_bags_and_insitu_incubation_for_bacterials_respiration_1_scaled_e1664188438276_9214697574.jpg)

<div class="photo-credit">Figure 2. The mesocosm bags of the CretaCosmos facility and the in-situ incubation of glass bottles for the measurement of bacterial respiration. Credit: I. Magiopoulos</div>
</div>

Two additional smaller experiments took place, one studying the chemical composition, biological content, and cloud-forming potential of the aerosol emitted from the mesocosms, while, in the second one, a series of in-situ marine sensors developed by the [Jerico-S3](https://www.jerico-ri.eu/) project and [Chelsea Technologies Inc](https://chelsea.co.uk/). were tested in the challenging ultra-oligotrophic environment of the Eastern Mediterranean.

<div class="photo">

![in situ marine sensors from Jerico](https://storage.googleapis.com/aq-cms-content/In_situ_Marine_sesonrs_from_Jerico_1_scaled_e1664188632181_ca9c80ae6a/In_situ_Marine_sesonrs_from_Jerico_1_scaled_e1664188632181_ca9c80ae6a.jpg)

<div class="photo-credit">Figure 3. Some of the in-situ marine sensors that were deployed by the Jerico-S3 project. Credit: I. Magiopoulos.</div>
</div>

<div class="photo">

![group photo of the team outdoors](https://storage.googleapis.com/aq-cms-content/The_Team_1_scaled_e1664188885463_cb25484d64/The_Team_1_scaled_e1664188885463_cb25484d64.jpg)

<div class="photo-credit">Figure 4. The AEROSea experiment team. Credit: I. Magiopoulos.</div>
</div>

For more information, please contact Iordanis Magiopoulos ([iordanis@hcmr.gr](mailto:iordanis@hcmr.gr)).












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The_Team-feature-image-resize-300x225.jpg

We know that the deposition of atmospheric particles is an important source of macro-nutrients and micro-trace elements in the ocean.

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