How New Technology Can Shape Climate Change Adaptation: A Case Study in Split-Dalmatia, Croatia

This case study is part of the AdriaClim project and can also be found on the ClimateLiteracy website produced by the project.

Introduction

This case study takes place in the Kaštela Bay in Split-Dalmatia, Croatia where the Institute of Oceanography and Fisheries (IOF) is located. The IOF was founded in the 1930s and has been used to study the complex interactions that influence the Adriatic marine environment.  Since its beginning, the IOF has taken biological, chemical, and oceanographic data of the area. Using this long-term data, the IOF team with the help of the AdriaClim project collaborates to safeguard the coast and sea from the impacts of climate change.   

Methodology and Tools

Over the years, the bay has experienced coastal erosion and phytoplankton over-proliferation due to rising sea levels and increasing temperatures due to climate change. The data collected from the IOF has also exposed changes in salinity and extreme heat waves that add to the overproduction of phytoplankton. Increases in the phytoplankton population can result in the release of harmful toxins that impact shellfish and seafood. Monitoring these phytoplankton can give researchers a greater understanding of other climate change impacts. With help from the AdriaClim project, the IOF has received the latest-generation flow cytometer that uses laser technology to monitor communities of microorganisms, including phytoplankton, by classifying them based on the physical characteristics of their cells.

Before the new technology was introduced to the IOF, researchers used a light microscope to classify phytoplankton and other microorganisms. This was very time-consuming and required an adequate knowledge of microorganism taxonomy. With this new technology, researchers can classify microorganisms quickly and with less error. Along with advancements in microorganism technology, the IOF has also seen upgrades in its sedimentology laboratory with a new laser diffraction particle size analyzer, which provides sediment size data in just a few hours. Understanding the particle makeup of ocean sediment can help researchers further understand the changing marine environment of Kaštela Bay.   

Project Outcomes

The new technology that has been introduced to the IOF with the help of the AdraClim project has allowed researchers to analyze the marine and coastal environment of Kaštela Bay at a much quicker and more accurate rate. Researchers at IOF can now provide more information and future projections that will help create climate adaptation initiatives for the region. This case study shows how supporting new technology, and methods can aid in the advancement of climate change adaptation efforts.