Mescosm

Key contact: Professor Steve Widdicombe

The Mesocosm facility enables scientists to conduct research in a controlled aquatic environment which closely simulates natural conditions.

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The environment can then be modified to investigate how organisms or communities may react to potential future conditions, such as elevated temperatures, ocean acidification or hypoxia. Using this approach, scientists can take certain factors from "the real world" into account with their experimental design and results, whilst maintaining the ability to manipulate a range of environmental factors, such as salinity, pH, temperature and oxygen levels.

Technical specifications:

• Sixteen 1m³ tanks
• Eight 750 litre header tanks
• Temperature controlled environment (5-20°C)
• Controlled light conditions
• Gas control systems for CO₂ and oxygen

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