Bridging the gap between volcano-tectonics and geochemistry
Full-time lectures will be given by high-skilled professionals of the Universities of National and Kapodistrian of Athens (Greece), Aix-Marseille University (France) and Stockholm University (Sweden). Students will gain a strong background regarding to volcanism and the creation of hydrothermal fields in active margins as well as, the sources of mercury pollution and its biogeochemical cycle in the marine environment. The programme includes a 6-day online course of 6 hours/day. The table below shows the schedules of the course. Day 1 a) Geology and volcano-tectonics in Hellenic Volcanic Arc (South Aegean Sea) b) Knowing Swallow Hydrothermal fields: Milos case study Day 2 a) Sediment Mineralogy b) Environmental oceanography - environmental status of seabed sediments Day 3 a) Trace metals in seawater b) Methods and instrumentation of trace metals analysis Day 4 a) Hg analysis b) Hg speciation at hydrothermal vents Day 5 a) Hg speciation at hydrothermal vents (continued) b) Mercury bioaccumulation / Couplings to other biogeochemical cycles Day 6 a) Role of dimethylmercury in Hg’s biogeochemical b) Microbiology in extreme marine environments c) Spatial Oceanography / Bio-physical interactions Explore the extraordinary hydrothermal system of Palaechori (Milos) with innovative marine technologies and highly sensitive geochemical techniques.
Application Deadline
Virtual Part starting date
2024-04-08
Virtual Part closing date
2024-04-15
Total student workload
126
Specific field of studies
Environmental Sciences, Geology, Marine Geology, Chemistry, Marine Chemistry, Marine Biology-Microbiology, Geochemistry, Oceanography, Marine Technology
Pre-requisite for selection
CV
Motivation Letter
Level of English (According to CEFR)
Research Project Outline
Academic pre-requisites for applicants
· Holder of a recognized primary degree in areas related to Environmental Sciences preferred, Geology, Marine Geology, Chemistry, Marine Chemistry, Biology, Marine Biology, Geochemistry, Geophysics, (a minimum of three years’ study at a university (i.e., 180 ECTS), or equivalent according to the European regulations).
Physical Part starting date
2024-05-20
Physical Part Description
In the 5 days course, the hands-on programme splits in two main sections:
1) Field work techniques, that include:
· Identification of morphotectonic features (faults, domes, craters, basins) in Milos-creation of morphotectonic maps
· Onsite observations of the intense volcanic activity-mineralogy (vents, hot springs, etc)
· ROV : Optical imaging, seafloor exploration
· 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 that include:
· Determination of Total Hg and DGM. Total Hg and dissolved gaseous mercury (DGM = Hg0 + DMHg) via cold vapor atomic fluorescence spectroscopy (CVAFS; BROOKS Rand Model 3).
· Determination of MeHg and MMHg.
· 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 and phytoplankton with a Teflon pump, zooplankton with nets, and local benthic biota (e.g., bivalves, annelids, corals, sponges, crustaceans, algae, and fish).
· Quality Assurance (QA) / Quality Control (QC) of the previous processes.
The combined methods allow to determine all Hg species (MMHg + DMHg = MeHg, Hg0 +DMHg = DGM, pHg, pMMHg, iHg).
Physical Part closing date
2024-05-24
Language level required
B2
Field of studies related to the course
Engineering and Technology
Environment and Agriculture
Natural Sciences and Mathematics
Environmental Sciences Urbanism and Geography
Course location
Paleocholri, Milos, Western Cyclades in the South Aegean Sea, Greece
Course language
English