Bridging together research and technological innovation: first results and expected bearings of the project Cresciblureef on Mediterranean Coralligenous

Coralligenous developed off Marzamemi (SE Sicily, Ionian Sea) is being investigated in the frame of the project FISR 04543 “CRESCIBLUREEF - Grown in the blue: new technologies for knowledge and conservation of Mediterranean reefs” aimed at understanding time and mode of its inception and accretion and at developing non-invasive technologies for its sampling. First achievements include: 1) mapping of the coralligenous field; 2) first quantitative characterisation of the internal structure of two bioconstructions (frame builders, cavities and sediment); 3) characterisation of cavity-filling sediments including entrapped bioclasts and micrites; 4) preliminary data about biodiversity associated with the bioconstructions; 5) development of a prototype for underwater non-invasive coring of coralligenous bioconstructions.