The mesocosm support laboratory is presented as a laboratory aimed at the qualitative and quantitative study of contamination (hydrocarbons, heavy metals) in different environmental matrices including soil, marine sediment and seawater. The laboratory has two chemical hoods and is equipped for the extraction and assessment of the ecotoxicological impact of the contaminant and its toxicity on different batteries of test organisms (micro-organisms, micro-algae, crustaceans…). In addition, the laboratory supports the setup of systems in media (microcosms) and mesoscale (mesocosms) to test the effects of pollutants.
The research activities of the Institute are carried out in the context of research, development and innovation projects, both national and international, based on regional funding programs (POR FEAMPA - Regional Operational Program of the European Maritime Affairs Fisheries Fund and Aquaculture and POR FESR - Regional Operational Program of the European Regional Development Fund) or ministerial (PRIN - Projects of relevant national interest, PNRA - National Research Program in Antarctica, PO FEAMPA - National Operational Program European Maritime Affairs Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund) , programs for European Territorial Cooperation (Interreg), direct funding programs of the European Commission (Horizon2020 and Horizon Europe, Life, JPI - Joint Programming Initiatives, ERA-NET Cofund) and thematic collaboration initiatives managed by international organizations such as, for example , the FAO - GFCM (General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean). The Institute also develops funded projects in the context of collaborations with private companies in the sectors of the blue economy as well as technology transfer and research results. Research projects, mainly of a collaborative nature, are developed through a wide network of partners that include major Italian and foreign research institutions and universities.
