International Workshop 2009: Research in shallow marine and fresh water systems

Technische Universität Bergakademie Freiberg
May 14th to 16th, 2009
Freiberg / Saxony, Germany

1^st Circular (278 kByte)

2^nd Circular (286 kByte)

The Department for Geology and the Organizers of Scientific Diving at the TU Bergakademie Freiberg are pleased that well-known specialists from all over the world have accepted our invitation to the International Workshop "Research in shallow marine and fresh water systems" taking place in Freiberg in May 2009. This workshop is sponsored by DFG (Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft).

Two thirds of our planet are covered by oceans and thus deprived of a direct sensing. This had led to the fact that the surface of the Moon or Mars is better known as the seafloor of our planet. Deep Sea Research is only accessible through ROV's (remotely operated vehicles) and AUV's (autonomous underwater vehicles)). Shallow submarine research of the oceans (< 50 meters) can be done by diving scientists. In addition to their "normal" scientific expertise diving researchers have extensive knowledge of the options and special features in the field of underwater research and are in a position to use both in complex. Scientific diving involves the application of scientific working methods in various levels and fields of application of geology, hydrogeology, geophysics - geosciences - , environmental sciences, (micro-) biology, ecology. Research groups of engineering and measurement technologies participate with projects in shallow submarine areas.

Scientists are allowed to derive advantages by the meaningful and effective link between planning, implementation, and interpretation of results gained by the work above and below water. For this reason, they provide an important advantage compared to unmanned explorations in shallow marin systems. Scientific Diving as "tool for the purpose" aquires a substantial need of an information exchange between research groups. The announced workshop should merge diving scientist worldwide within thecnical and scientific discussions. This applies both to the methodology used under water, from used equipment, sampling techniques, up to the transfer of in-situ data collected under water on the land.