HopeWaves · The impact of internal waves on mesophotic cold-water coral mounds in the Central Mediterranean. Past, present and hope for the future

Cold-water-coral (CWC) habitats are sensitive biodiversity hotspots under severe threat from human activities, such as bottom trawling. This is particularly true for the CWC mounds that are recently discovered in mesophotic depths (30-150 m) of Maltese waters in the central Mediterranean. The origin of these CWC mounds is still unknown, and due to the lack of scientific data, these habitats are still not protected. HopeWaves aims to provide an in-depth analysis of the mesophotic CWC mounds in SE Maltese waters, which is essential for planning and enforcing new Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) networks. HopeWaves proposes an interdisciplinary approach (geology, oceanography, and paleoecology) to investigate the factors controlling the development of these structures in recent and past climates, including the role of internal waves and tides (IWs). The specific objectives of this project are: 1) to assess the distribution pattern of recent mesophotic mounds and their associated communities; 2) to determine the characteristics of water masses around the mesophotic mounds to define the possible depth of IWs; and (3) to develop a paleoenvironmental model for fossil mesophotic communities that were formed under a warmer-than-present climate during the Oligocene and the role of IWs in their formation. Specific planned dissemination and communication activities are in line with public and policy-makers engagement. HopeWaves will be carried out at the Department of Geosciences, the University of Malta, which, together with two secondments, will ensure high-level training on seafloor mapping, oceanographic data analysis, grant writing and project management. The fellow will also transfer her knowledge in the field of carbonate sedimentology to the host by contributing to teaching and mentoring activities. This project will increase the fellow chance of having a permanent position in EU universities, marine and oceanic institutes, and centres dealing with coral reef research.