The Pozzo del Merro (Merro sinkhole), a few kilometres away from Rome, Italy, is the deepest flooded karstic cavity known in the world. Over the last two years, a multi-disciplinary scientific research project studied the almost unknown aquatic ecosystem of the sinkhole while also studying the psychological and physiological reactions of scientific divers operating in the very hostile underwater environment. This paper presents a preliminary overview of the seven studies carried out in parallel and attempts to highlight the fundamental role of scientific diving in contributing to increased knowledge about this extreme environment. The discovery of two exotic species in the sinkhole represents a paradigmatic case of the problem of invasive species introduction in such a unique environment. The project also included research on human diving physiology, pathology, and psychology through monitoring of all the divers (plus one free-diver) working in the Merro sinkhole.

Palozzi, R., Caramanna, G., Albertano, P.b., Congestri, R., Bruno, L., Romano, A., et al. (2010). The underwater exploration of the Merro sinkhole and the associated diving physiological and psychological effects. UNDERWATER TECHNOLOGY, 29(3), 125-134 [10.3723/ut.29.125].

The underwater exploration of the Merro sinkhole and the associated diving physiological and psychological effects

ALBERTANO, PATRIZIA BEATRICE;CONGESTRI, ROBERTA;BRUNO, LAURA;ROMANO, ANDREA;GIGANTI, MARIA GABRIELLA;ZENOBI, ROSSELLA;SBORDONI, VALERIO
2010-01-01

Abstract

The Pozzo del Merro (Merro sinkhole), a few kilometres away from Rome, Italy, is the deepest flooded karstic cavity known in the world. Over the last two years, a multi-disciplinary scientific research project studied the almost unknown aquatic ecosystem of the sinkhole while also studying the psychological and physiological reactions of scientific divers operating in the very hostile underwater environment. This paper presents a preliminary overview of the seven studies carried out in parallel and attempts to highlight the fundamental role of scientific diving in contributing to increased knowledge about this extreme environment. The discovery of two exotic species in the sinkhole represents a paradigmatic case of the problem of invasive species introduction in such a unique environment. The project also included research on human diving physiology, pathology, and psychology through monitoring of all the divers (plus one free-diver) working in the Merro sinkhole.
2010
Pubblicato
Rilevanza internazionale
Articolo
Esperti anonimi
Settore MED/04 - PATOLOGIA GENERALE
Settore BIO/01 - BOTANICA GENERALE
English
sinkhole; cave diving; fern; newt; am- phipod; invasive species; SCUBA; diving physiology; diving psychology; free-diving
Palozzi, R., Caramanna, G., Albertano, P.b., Congestri, R., Bruno, L., Romano, A., et al. (2010). The underwater exploration of the Merro sinkhole and the associated diving physiological and psychological effects. UNDERWATER TECHNOLOGY, 29(3), 125-134 [10.3723/ut.29.125].
Palozzi, R; Caramanna, G; Albertano, Pb; Congestri, R; Bruno, L; Romano, A; Giganti, Mg; Zenobi, R; Costanzo, C; Valente, G; Polani, P; Vecchio, M; Vi...espandi
Articolo su rivista
File in questo prodotto:
Non ci sono file associati a questo prodotto.

Questo articolo è pubblicato sotto una Licenza Licenza Creative Commons Creative Commons

Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/2108/9129
Citazioni
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.pmc??? ND
  • Scopus 6
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.isi??? ND
social impact