Scientific news

From 8th to 13th of July takes place the sixth edition of the "Ramon Margalef Summer Colloquia", organized by the Institute of Marine Sciences (ICM-CSIC) and the Catalan Association of Oceanographers and Oceanographers (ACOIO). Since its first edition in 2013, it gathers each summer young researchers and experts to exchange ideas on the advances in ecological research.

Tropical oceans teem with the dazzle and flash of colorful reef fishes and contain far more species than the cold ocean waters found at high latitudes. This well-known “latitudinal diversity gradient” is one of the most famous patterns in biology, and scientists have puzzled over its causes for more than 200 years.

Most of sea life is on the illuminated surface (first 200 meters), while the deep ocean (up to 4,000 meters deep) is almost empty. A study led by the Institute of Marine Science (ICM-CSIC) has found that, despite the differences between these regions, the microbial biodiversity of both is intimately connected. The results of the study, which are published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Science (PNAS), help to better understand the functioning of the planet and the great dispersal capacity of microorganisms.

Today, the new Iberian Society of Ecology (SIBECOL) has been constituted, starting with more than two thousand professionals from Spain and Portugal from all areas of ecology in terrestial and water ecosystems. The signature was made this afternoon at the Institut de Ciències de Mar de Barcelona (ICM-CSIC), which host SIBECOL.

Industrial activity generates harmful substances that can reach the most remote places on the planet, transported by winds and ocean currents. A new study conducted by the Institute of Marine Sciences (ICM) and the Institute of Environmental Diagnosis and Studies of Water (IDAEA), both centres of CSIC, has detected cellular toxicity produced by anthropogenic-compounds in Antarctica seabed. Samples of Antarctic sediments come from several stations along more than 4,000 kilometers from the Weddell Sea and off the coast of the Antarctic Peninsula.

The Directorate General of Fisheries and Maritime Affairs of the Department of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Food, the Institute of Marine Sciences and the fishermen from Blanes, Palamós, Roses, Port de la Selva and Llançà join in an unique initiative in the Mediterranean region: 500 km2 of Girona’s coastline will be managed by the same fishing sector and measures will be implemented to enhance the sustainability and preservation of marine resources.