ISMAR
ISMAR, Institute of Marine Science, is a research institution which is part of Italy's National Research Council (CNR).
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| Director | Fabio Trincardi |
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| Address |
Arsenale - Tesa 104, Castello 2737/F, 30122 Venezia, Italy |
| Telephone | (+39) 041 2407927 |
| Website | http://www.ismar.cnr.it/index_html |
History
The Italian National Research Council (CNR) was founded in 1923 and began as a basic laboratory. Originally established in 1946 as an independent institute for the study of marine biology known as the National Center of Talassographic Studies, in 1968, the organization was was brought under the authority of the CNR and renamed the “Instituto di Biologia del Mare (IBM).” Another independent institute primarily focusing on the study of hydrodynamics called the Institute in Venice for the study of Dynamics of Large Masses (IDGM) was also incorporated into the CNR in 1969 [1]. Together, these two independent organizations were unified into one institute now known as ISMAR or the Institute of Marine Science which encompasses all fields relating to marine studies. Since the unification of the two institutes, ISMAR has grown from basic research in oceanography and geology to applied research in many various areas including, fisheries and aquaculture, climate and paleoclimate, geology and geophysics, physical and chemical oceanography, ecosystems and bio-geochemisty, coastal systems: natural processes and human impacts and technology.
Mission
ISMAR has been focusing on studying the following 5 themes[2]:
- The evolution of oceans and their continental margins by studying sub-marine volcanoes, faults and slides along with their potential future impacts onshore
- The influence of climate change on oceanic circulation, acidification, bio-geochemical cycles, and marine productivity
- Marine habitats and ecology along with the increasing pollution of coastal and deep-sea environments
- The evolution of fish stocks with a goal of keeping commercial fishing within sustainable limits and improving aquaculture practices
- The economic and social impact of natural and man-made factors on coastal systems
Activities
Projects
ISMAR hosts many international, national and regional projects. Some past regional projects include, the Marano and Grado, Alimini, OPA, TAECO and E-audit projects.
Monitoring Sites
ISMAR has various remote sensing networks, experimental stations, labs, computer centers and vessels which are all used for conducting various types of research. Some observational sites within the Veneto area include, two platforms in the Gulf of Venice and one buoy in the Venice Lagoon.
Aqua Alta Platform
The “Acqua Alta” platform located about 8 miles (15km) from the coast of Lido, takes measurements of meteorological data including, wind speed and direction, air temperature, humidity, solar radiation, precipitation and oceanographic data including, sea temperature, sea level, ADCP currents, waves. The platform has various webcams both surface and underwater with wide band intranet connection that allows real time data transmission. The platform was funded by the SISOE (Integrated System for Oceanographic and Ecological Monitoring of the Adriatic Sea) project in 1970. The observation site was established to help observe weather and sea conditions facing the lagoon of Venice in order to warn the city for high tides which could potentially be disastrous such as the flood of 1966.
See Also
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