During the second 2022 summer campaign the team from the University of Catania performed a core drilling of the sediment surrounding the Coralligenous bioconstructions. The analysis of a small dredged portion of the substrate and overlying sediment will provide important data on the evolution of the studied Coralligenous. Furthermore, we have placed some Concretion Accretion Units (CAUs) , structures specifically built for evaluate the colonization processes and the carbonate production.
Mr. Pietralito and Mr. Leonardi preparing the core barrelCAUs structuresCAUs positioned on the coralligenous build-upsMr. Pietralito (left) and Mr. Leonardi (right) of our dive team, on ascent after successfully completing the jobSediment core sampled
Summer 2022 is a very important period for the CBR project. One year has passed since the project has started and it is time to check the progresses, assess the situation and continuing with the analysis and monitoring.
The first of these summer campaign has been carried out by the team from the University of Milano-Bicocca. During this period the CBR team has done ROV immersions, SCUBA diving for sample collection (always aided by the SUTTAKKUA diving), photogrammetry of the seafloor, retrieval of the monitoring equipment deployed in the last year.
Prof. Basso (project leader) and Dr. Fallati loading the ROV on the Suttakkua boat, ready to set sail(from left to right) Dr. Fallati, Dr. Piazza, Prof. Savini and Mr. Pietralito (head of the Suttakkua diving) ready to leave the Marzamemi harbour with the ROVThe powerful waterproof case for the camera used for the seafloor photogrammetryDr. Bracchi, Prof. Savini, Mr. Scarso (from the Suttakkua diving) and Prof. Basso, organize their equipment before diving. The currentometer recovered after six months of deployment next to the coralligenous. Notice all the critters and algae grown on his surface, life always finds a way!Prof. Basso, Mr. Pietralito and Dr. Fallati retrieved the ROV! Tiring but very successfull campaign! After the campaign work, is back to home base to write down the report, examine data and planning the next day. Dr. Fallati and Dr. Bracchi tacking pictures of the freshly retrieved samplesThis campaign is done but the project is far from over. Who knows which other secrets might lay under us, stay tuned to find out!
Balaenoptera acutorostrata cuvieril showcased in the Museo Paleontologico Territoriale dell’Astigiano (http://www.mrsntorino.it/cms/sistema-naturalistico-museale/civico-museo-paleontologico.html) were the conference took place
The CBR team took part to the “Paleodays 2022” conference organised by the Italian Paleontological Society in Asti (Piedmont, Italy). It was the perfect occasion to showcase the project and expose our progresses to the scientific community!
Project leader Professor Daniela Basso introducing CBR to the Italian Paleontological SocietyProf. Guido talking about the micritic content and composition inside the coralligenous cavities Dr. Bracchi showing the analysis on the mollusks fauna on the coralligenous Dr. Bazzicalupo with a presentation on the external and internal structure of the coralligenousProf. Sanfilippo showing the invertebrate fauna discovered on the coralligenousProf. Rosso and Prof. Sanfilippo showing the analysis on the bryozoan and serpulids associated with the coralligenous
During the CBR5 campaign (in February), the team, with the precious help from Suttakkua diving, has deployed some instruments to collect data on the temperatures, light exposure and currents on the Coralligenous area in Marzamemi.
The Suttakkua boat, ready to set sailProf. Basso (right) and prof. Rosso (left), inspecting the currentometer before leaving the pier
The currentometer has been set on the sea floor (using some heavy ballast), where he will measure the direction and strenght of the currents. Then, other instruments will measure the water temperature and sunlight changing throughout the many months that they will be underwater.
The currentometer and its ballast before deployment (the ballast is neutral towards the environment avoiding polluting the seafloor)Nunzio Pietralito of the Suttakkua diving ready to deploy the currentometer at sea. An unexpected gift… Coralligenous algae have grown over a plastic bottle on the seafloor. Studying the rate of growth on various surfaces is a very effective methods of learning how these algae live.
During the CBR4 campaign the staff from the University of Catania (with the help of Suttakkua diving) has recovered a sediment core off the Marzamemi coast. The analysis of the sediments of this area could give us extremely important information on the Coralligenous colonization and growth.
The corer before deploymentRiccardo Leonardi (University of Catania) deploying the corer on site. portion of one of the recovered core, you can see the coarse sediments with sand, maerls and dead Posidonia leaves
A fundamental step of the research is understanding what species contribute to the formation of the bioconstructions. We are consolidating previous knowledges about the role of the different taxa, which are the constructors, the bafflers, the binders, the dwellers and the destroyers, but we are also having knew interesting discoveries!
Densely colonized block of coralligenous.
At the University of Catania we are focusing on serpulids, bryozoans, foraminifers and ostracods, finding a lot of species, of which some were unexpected!
Prof. Sanfilippo (left) and prof. Rosso (right) (University of Catania) observe the samples under the stereomicroscope.Example of a sample obtained from scratching.Serpulid (Serpula vermicularis) covered with an encrusting bryozoan.Coralligenous surface with interaction between different encrusting organisms (bryozoan, which forms the greater cover and pink arborescent foraminifera), perforating sponge (purple points).Tubes of serpulids (Semivermilia crenata) covering a bryozoan (Onychocella marioni).
For our second analysis we had to go a little deeper and cut the build ups entirely.
To cut such a big chunk of rock is no small feat and it did require impressive gear to accomplish.
Luckily, we had the help of Mario Airoldi company. The extremely skilled workers there were able to cut the build-ups without effort with the help of a giant circular saw, usually employed to cut big rock pieces.
The build up is placed in position after the saw is mounted on its arm
Thanks to the flawless cut we were able to recover all the material in beautiful cuts, that are ready to unveil all their knowledge to us.
For our second analysis we had to go a little deeper and cut the build ups entirely.
The cut sequence of the build-up. A huge amount of water for the cut. The saw is extremely precise and cut the carbonate build-ups effortlessly.
Let’s start the new year with some good news and awesome pictures!
We are now analyzing the amazing coralligenous samples collected during the CBR2 campaign.
In order to study the build-ups, we have to look at them, not only from the outside, but also from the inside.
To do so, we have employed a double approach: firstly, a non-invasive analysis and secondly an invasive one.
The first analysis is a C-T Scan of the build-ups, utilizing the C-T machine at the San Gerardo Hospital in Monza, usually utilized for patients. We thank Dr. De Ponti and her staff for their help.
The CT machine is about to receive a very “peculiar” patient.
The analysis produced a series of pictures that show the inside of the coralligenous build-ups.
The coralligenous build-ups x-ray images. The various gradation of grey indicate differences in material density. It is also possible to see bivalves remains inside the build-up (red arrow)
While collecting samples and analyzing the seafloor, we are also developing and testing the corer that will eventually be used on the project’s ROV to drill the coralligenous in its native environment. This work is carried on by the researchers at the University of Calabria.
Panoramic view of a blok of the calcareous tufa
Comparison between a coralligenous sample (left) and a calcareous tufa sample (right). Note the similar framework of the two samples despite the different origin of the materials.
To avoid testing the drill on the precious coralligenous samples, the drilling test is performed on calcareous tufa (selected for its geomechanical similarity with the coralligenous). The area selected for the collection of the samples is «Pietra Gna’zzita» near the Longobucco village (Calabria, Italy).
The prototype consists in a brushless gearmotor (with two speed ratio) manufactured by 3D printing technologies (plastic and metal) mounted on a linear slider fixed on a stainless-steel frame.
Prototype 3D model
The test bench is designed to simulate drilling in a controlled environment (the water tank), using a 63mm diamond core drill. Several tests allow to evaluate the operating parameters of the coring system (rpm, feed rate, etc.) and the mechanical resistance of samples characterized by large cavities. A wi-fi interface has been used to monitor the motor control unit and record log data.
Corer Unit in water tank, with the 63mm diamond core drill
Sample 1: homogenous calcareous tufa
Sample 1: core D 55 mm x L 300 mm (collected in 2 steps to verify core breaking procedure)
The results allow to measure the optimal operating parameters to identify the requirements of the system and optimize the design process of the mechatronic platform to be installed on the ROV.
Teachers and students of the International Master’s Degree in Marine Sciences collaborate with the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission – UNESCO, for the design and public presentation of the Ocean and Climate Village space at PreCOP26 at the Milano Triennale https://all4climate2021.org/.
The PreCOP is the preparatory ministerial meeting that precedes the COP (Conference of the Parties), the United Nations climate summit. This year PreCOP26 will be hosted in Milan and COP26 will be held in Glasgow.
The Ocean and Climate Village is an educational space where children and families can learn about the message and objectives of the Decade of the Sea, with a focus on climate change and the Mediterranean Sea. The village is designed as a cluster of educational activities for different age groups, from the youngest to the adults.