Projects of the Deep-Sea Group financially supported by the European Union:
ABYSS (Assessment of bacterial life and matter cycling in deep-sea surface sediments)
Advanced Grant of the European Research Council (ERC)
Duration: 01.06.2012 – 31.05.2017
Coordination: Antje Boetius, AWI, Bremerhaven
Aims of the ABYSS project are to develop a systematic understanding of abyssal sediment bacterial community distribution, diversity, function and dynamic, by combining in situ flux studies and different visualization techniques with a wide range of molecular tools.
Contact: A. Boetius
ECO2 (Sub-seabed CO2 Storage: Impact on Marine Ecosystems)
Collaborative Project
Duration: 01.05.2011 – 30.04.2015
Coordinator: Klaus Wallmann, GEOMAR, Kiel
Objectives of the ECO2 project are:
• to investigate the likelihood of leakage from sub-seabed CO2 storage sites;
• to study the potential effects of leakage on benthic organisms and marine ecosystems;
• to assess the risks of sub-seabed carbon storage;
• to develop a comprehensive monitoring strategy using cutting-edge monitoring techniques;
• to define guidelines for the best environmental practices in implementation and management of sub-seabed storage sites.
Contact: A. Boetius, F. Wenzhöfer
SENSEnet (International Sensor Development Network)
Marie Curie Initial Training Network
Duration: since 2009
Coordinator: Douglas Connelly, National Oceanography Centre, UK
The SENSEnet project coaches researchers in the early stages of their career. The project aims to develop new in-situ sensors and to conduct research programs in collaboration with network partners.
Contact: A. Boetius, F. Wenzhöfer
EUROFLEETS (Towards an alliance of the European research fleets)
MarinERA / ERANet Project
Duration: 01.09.2009 – 31.08.2013
Coordination: Jacques Binot, Ifremer, Paris, France
The EUROFLEETS project aims to define a common strategic vision for European research fleets and associated heavy equipment (e.g. AUV and ROV), to facilitate a wider sharing of knowledge and technologies across fields and between academia and industry, and to foster the coordinated and joint development of European fleets in terms of capacity and performances.
Contact: A. Boetius, F. Wenzhöfer
GAP2 (Bridging the gap between science, stakeholders and policy makers)
Capacities Programme
Duration: 01.04.2011 - 31.03.2015
Coordination: Steven Mackinson, CEFAS, Lowestoft, UK
Representatives from the fishing industry, scientists and policy makers are working together in 13 case studies
on the topics of sustainable fisheries. Objectives of the GAP2 project are:
• to involve stakeholders in research;
• to developments for mutual learning strategies;
• to increase the transparency of political decisions in the marine resource management;
• to improve the well-being of the marine environment.
Contact: M. Bergmann, K. Wätjen



