Group photo of KOSMOS-GC2.0 team

Here we are again, KOSMOS Gran Canaria 2.0. Our second endeavour of conducting a long-term in situ mesocosm study in subtropical oligotrophic waters.  And indeed, this time of the year the sea around the Canaries is truly oligotrophic: nutrient concentrations at the detection limit, low plankton biomass and an incredible underwater visibility.

At the onset of each mesocosm study we always put together a tentative schedule for the start-up phase: setting out the moorings, deploying the frames, unfolding the enclosure bags, mounting the sediment traps and hoods, closing off the mesocosms, determining the bag volumes through salt addition, manipulating the carbonate chemistry gradually over several days …. ; the time schedule is always laid out nicely and presented to all participants, but everyone in the team knows that it is subject to change. Too many unforeseeable circumstances, difficult weather conditions, technical challenges,  … in six KOSMOS studies up until now the schedule of the start-up phase always had to be adjusted multiple times – until KOSMOS-GC2.0. This time – for the first time in KOSMOS-history – every step worked out precisely according to the schedule.

Mesocosm deployment by R/V Hesperides

The mesocosms were deployed by the Spanish research vessel HESPERIDES on September 23, this time in Gando Bay, a military area and natural reserve 5 nautical miles south of Taliarte harbour. Thanks to PLOCAN’s continued efforts we received permission to work in this restricted bay, where a mountainous peninsula in the north provides protection from the consistent north-north-easterly winds. Daily transfer from our base at Taliarte harbour to Gando Bay is provided by PLOCAN’s high-speed boat PLOCAN-1. The trip out to the mesocosms takes 20-30 minutes, depending on weather conditions. Coming back give an extra ten minutes, as the boat needs to work its way against the north-easterly swell.  The conditions in Gando Bay are superb: pristine waters, low swell, and hardly any boat traffic – but with lots of activity around our nine mesocosms from our three boats which we have stationed in the bay.

Mathias, alias Carl Stahl, taking a mesocosm on the hook

Now that the busy stretch of starting the experiment is gradually shifting into routine work, finally there is some time again to connect to the rest of the world and revitalize our KOSMOS-GC blog. Stay tuned for many exciting stories about our KOSMOS-GC2.0 campaign and the people involved in it.

Mesocosm being connected to the mooring

Preparations for CO2 addition

Our dream team on R/V Hesperides

Spider juggled into the mesocosm