Researchers at the Universidad de Granada have just concluded the oceanographic campaign, Sanimed24, and they have made an important discovery.

They had been doing field work investigating the sub-seabed between Almuñécar and Calahonda between the 6th and 26th of March when they discovered fresh water a few metres beneath the seabed.

This is the first time that a water table beneath a seabed has been discovered around the Iberian Peninsular, according to the lead researchers, Ángel Puga Bernabéu, from the Departamento de Estratigrafía y Paleontología at the university and Francisco J.Lobo, from the Instituto Andaluz de Ciencias de la Tierra.

Another discovery was a habitat made by oysters (Neopycnodonte) 500 metres down in the Cañón de Carchuna. While they are often found on continental shelves  around 100 metres depths, finding them at five times that depth was a surprise.

The aim of the Proyecto Sanimed is to decipher genetic mechanisms and the importance of gravity fluctuations within underwater delta and canyon environments; determine the influence of human activity in relation to waste on the seabed and its impact on seabed ecosystems and finally, locate fresh water in the sea from Río Guadalfeo and study sediment dispersal.

(News/Noticias: Costa Tropical, Granada, Andalucia)