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MARVEL BIP aims to develop advanced skills in marine biogeoscience through multidisciplinary training in active volcanic and hydrothermal environments. It supports the CIVIS Alliance mission by promoting cross-university collaboration, field-based learning, and student mobility while addressing key societal challenges in environmental protection, climate change, and sustainable resource use.  

The programme focuses on Milos Island (Greece), a globally unique natural laboratory where submarine-to-subaerial volcanism, shallow-sea hydrothermal venting, metallogenesis, and tectonic activity interact. This setting provides an ideal environment for practical learning in environmental monitoring, risk assessment of toxic metals (e.g., mercury, arsenic), and the application of state-of-the-art marine technologies.  

Programme structure and workload: 6 ECTS (150–180 hours):  

  • 7-day online module (42 hours synchronous learning + independent study): introduction to volcano-tectonics, biogeochemistry, geomicrobiology, and Hg analytics.  
  • 5-day field module (40 hours contact time + field reporting): mapping, sampling, ROV/ USV operation, data interpretation, and safety practices.  

The workload includes lectures, virtual exercises, supervised laboratory work, field campaigns, and a final assessed group report, fully aligned with the learning outcomes.  

The hands-on course is linked to the overall learning outcomes, by a 5 days intense programme:

1. Field work techniques: 

  • ROV: optical imaging, seaflor exploration;
  • USV sampling, for sea surface microlayer; 
  • identification of volcanic morphotectonic features (faults, domes, craters, basins);
  • creation of tectonic maps;
  • onsite observations of the intense volcanic activity-mineralogy (vents, hot springs, etc);
  • measurements of physicochemical parameters in aquatic samples (temperature, salinity, conductivity, dissolved oxygen, PH etc.);
  • basic principles of sampling (devices, cleaning procedures, sterilization, packing, safety, contamination risk etc.) 

2. Analytical Techniques: determination of Total Hg and DGM. Total Hg and dissolved gaseous mercury (DGM = Hg0 + DMHg) will bedetermined via cold vapor atomic fluorescence spectroscopy (CVAFS; BROOKS Rand Model)

3. Bioconcentration-bioaccumulation. To investigate bioconcentration and bioaccumulation of different Hg species (pHg, pMMHg) along the local marine food web, we will demonstrate sample suspended particles andphytoplankton with a teflon pump, zooplankton with nets, and local benthic biota. 

4. Quality Assurance (QA) / Quality Control (QC) of the previous processes and fluid dispersion will be integrated into numerical simulations for Hg biogeochemistry tracking the biotic and abiotic Hg transformations.

The virtual component of MARVEL will be held from 9 November 2026  to 12 February 2027. The online part of the course serves as a structured preparation phase that equips students with the scientific knowledge, technical understanding, and collaborative readiness needed for the physical mobility on Milos. It combines synchronous instruction, guided self-study, and group activities delivered through an accessible online platform.  Moreover, the online component includes:

  • Synchronous sessions will include lectures and interactive seminars on volcano-tectonic settings, shallow hydrothermal vents, trace-metal cycling (with emphasis on mercury and arsenic), ecosystem responses, and environmental risk frameworks. AMU will introduce analytical methods for mercury speciation and QA/QC principles, while SU will guide students through ecotoxicological concepts and case studies. NKUA will lead geological and hazard-related topics, providing context for Milos’ unique submarine-to-subaerial hydrothermal system. Each live session will include opportunities for discussion, breakout-group problem solving, and Q&A with instructors. 
  • Virtual practical exercises will introduce students to instruments used on site, ROVs, USVs, and portable water-chemistry sensors, via demonstrations, video tutorials, and digital mapping tools. This ensures that students are familiar with equipment operation, data structure, and sampling workflow before field deployment.  
  • The virtual module will conclude with a preparatory briefing and submission of a group plan summarising intended field observations and sampling priorities. These deliverables will be revisited and applied during the mobility week, ensuring strong continuity between online preparation and hands-on learning.  

    Overall, the virtual component builds core competencies and team cohesion, enabling students to maximise the scientific and civic impact of the physical mobility on Milos.