Etna gave the field trip team a final show before they headed for home:

Etna 16th March 2013 (on return flight to UK) following Southeast crater eruption (photo courtesy of J. Ebdon)

This latest truly spectacular paroxysm (15th-16th March 2013) can be viewed via the following link posted by resident volcanologist Boris Behncke

Watch this space!!!

Environmental pressures in Catania
Several student teams remained in Catania for the study day to investigate a range of urban pollution issues such as the impacts of fish market activities on nearby water courses, water quality inputs into coastal/harbour waters, waste management and environmental impact monitoring.

Environmental monitoring at Catania Fish Market

Spot the student

Four seasons in one day
Despite some interesting weather conditions, four student teams braved the conditions on Mount Etna to collect ecological, geological and geomorphological data for their projects. Snow, rain, hail, blizzard, ice storm, low cloud and a small pack of flea ridden canine friends conspired to test the students resolve at up to 1400m altitude. However, all teams showed exceptional resilience and dedication to the cause.

Photo of ice shard (courtesy of Toby Rowden)

Two teams of students were situated at the river for the project day, battling against strong winds, offshore and onshore. The resident Bear Grylls postgraduate fashioned a make shift lab out of reeds from the riverbed and his jacket. There was heavy lifting involved in manipulating the channel roughness and testing of water quality whilst dodging oncoming waves. The sun did peak out just long enough for a welcome recharge of batteries as work commenced throughout the day.

Group work in the river during a sunny spell

Makeshift shelter for conducting labwork on the beach

Day 4: Today we visited 4 biodiversity hotspots surrounding Etna, consisting of lava flows of different periods in time. We constructed 5 quadrat samples at each site to compare percentages of vegetation in each quadrat. From this we can compare all locations to determine which sites are most diverse and see if time, altitude and aspect are contributing factors influencing succession. We also learnt the basics of NDVI values and infrared imaging of vegetation. Despite the rain the locations were still stunning and I had great fun scrambling over volcanic rocks, like a mountain goat. I learnt much about various plant species and feel I have a greater understanding about vegetation succession.

Written by Claudia (BSc Env Sciences)

Thinking outside the quadrat

Day 3: Today was spent working in the Fiumefreddo which translated means ‘cold river’ and it certainly lived up to its name, at a very chilly 9°C! The purpose of today’s session was to learn some key river research techniques, from surveying channel cross-section, channel slope and channel roughness, to calculating dischage (flow) using electromagnetic and Ott-type current meters, and salt-dilution gauging. This is perhaps the most mathematically-demanding of the field days but students coped well with getting to grips with these methods, even finding spare time to enjoy a quick dip during their lunch break!

Surveying channel cross-section and slope

Electromagnetic flow metering

Just back from a day on the beach. Or rather a day spent monitoring water quality and assessing the environmental status of beaches and fishing ports along the Sicilian coast. Membrane filtration and site assessments were carried out at each location using mobile microbiology kit and field incubators to help us determine whether these waters are within safe limits. Today’s activities (like all those this week) will help us to better understand the range of pressures on the environment of Eastern Sicily.

DAY 1: Just back from a fantastic day spent with the world-leading expert on Etna Dr Boris Behncke of the Italian National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology (INGV), who took time out from his busy schedule (having monitored last week’s eruptions) to share his incredible insight into Europe’s most active volcano. Boris’s infectious enthusiasm combined with temperatures of 26oC made this a very warm welcome to Sicily.