Mesocosms floating off the coast of Peru

Ocean artUp

Artificial upwelling of nutrient-rich deep-ocean water

Ocean artUp is a research project funded through an Advanced Grant of the European Research Council that explores the possible benefits of artificially-induced uplift of nutrient-rich deep water to the ocean’s sunlit surface layer.

Vision

Artificial upwelling can contribute to providing food security for a growing human population and supporting the sustainable development of marine fisheries and aquaculture.

Mesocosm with Divers

Objectives

Ocean artUp aims to study the feasibility, effectiveness, associated risks and potential side effects of artificial upwelling in increasing ocean productivity, raising fish production, and enhancing oceanic CO2 sequestration.

Mesocosm Deployment

Approach

Ocean artUp will employ a combination of experimental approaches at different scales and trophic complexities, perform a field application of forced upwelling in oligotrophic waters, and run model simulations of pelagic systems fertilized by nutrient-rich deep waters.

Deep-Water Collector

Team

Ocean artUp combines the expertise of plankton ecologists, marine biogeochemists, ocean modellers, maritime engineers, hydromechanic specialists, chemical analysts, and logistics experts.

Mesocosm Cleaning
Ocean artUp Logo

Funders

ERCHorizon 2020

Project Hosts

GeomarHelmholtz

Collaborators

University of Las Palmas De Gran CanariaPlocan