IMIS - Marine Research Groups

PATACHE: Title: Monitoring of the Structure of Phytoplankton Community in Collahuasi's Mining Project at Port Area in Punta Patache, Chile. Project funded by the mining company Doña Inés de Collahuasi. A baseline evaluation was surveyed on the phytoplankton community structure. This evaluation defines potential effects from human activities made in the mining project Collahuasi at Punta Patache. As a result, the study found a similar community structure as described for other coastal zones analyses. The diatom group influenced by similar conditions of upwelling is the highest in terms of biomass, abundance, and species composition. Conversely, the variability of the upwelling defines the direction in succession of the phytoplankton analyzed through different time series. However this study distinguished between natural and cultural forces in the diatom spatio-temporal variation. Now, decision-makers have a better understanding of potential changes which emerges from anthropogenic actions. CHIPANA 2003: Interim project DI05-03 (Project funded by the Research Division at Universidad Arturo Prat, Chile). Title: Mesoscale variability in the structure and function of Engraulis ringens. An analysis of physical and chemical attributes was carried out in the adjacent zone of Loa River (21°15'S - 21°21'S). This analysis showed physiochemical variability catalyzing processes of fertilization in maximum reproductive stages of Engraulis ringens. Likewise, the nutrients concentration and food supply were effected in a spawning area. In accordance with the natural history of this species, the sampled analyzed the reproductive habitat on eggs and larval retention, as well as the driven forces in the Loa River at the first stage of development. Based on the previous sampling, a physiochemical characterization was implemented in order to unveil circulation patterns, wind variation, and intensity of outcrop process. In addition, Spatio-temporal fluctuations on phytoplankton and zooplankton were tested only under physical properties. These dynamics indicated positive effects on biomass and abundance in different fractions of size. Moreover, an ichthyoplankton survey should be undergone in order to determine whether or not this area is suitable for spawning and breeding conditions of Engraulis ringens. CHIPANA 2004-2005: Interim project No. DIF22/04 (Financed by the Research Division at the University Arturo Prat, Chile). Title: Follow-up and bio-oceanographic evaluation at early stages of spawning on Engraulis ringens population in Chipana Bay, Chile (21°20'S). Monthly data collected from food quality and quantity in 2003 surveys, calls for an environmental monitoring follow-up. This program seeks to understand larval conditions on both retention and high concentrations in the Loa River. Sampling points were set at one, three and five minutes of the coastline. In doing this, the data collection obtained vertical profiles of temperature and salinity as well as water's chemistry and species composition. Hence, this shows how oxygen dissolved and nutrients are corelated among species composition, abundance and biomass. The latter emphasize on fractions of autotrophic and heterotrophic nutrition as building blocks. This will supply food for larval growth of Engraulis ringens commonly known as anchoveta.