EUR-OCEANS (European Network of Excellence for Ocean Ecosystems Analysis) is a network of excellence co-funded by the Sixth Framework Programme for Research and Technological Development of the European Communities (FP6). The network gathers more than 60 research institutes and universities from 25 countries. Its activities started in January 2005, running for 4 years until December 2008. General framework
The overall networking objective of EUR-OCEANS is to achieve lasting integration of European research organisations on global change and pelagic marine ecosystems and the relevant scientific disciplines. This will put Europe in an international leadership position in this field.
Presently, the 160 EUR-OCEANS Principal Investigators are scattered in 66 Member Organisations, located in 25 countries. The PIs belong to three research communities, which have traditionally often worked independently on: pelagic ecosystems, biogeochemistry and ecosystem approach to marine resources.The initial integration within EUR-OCEANS will consist in bringing together research organisations and excellent researchers, through the Joint Programme of Activities of the 4-year EUR-OCEANS Network. Specific tasks of the section of Mineralogy and Petrography is part of EUR-OCEANS network through its association with the VUB-ANCH partner. It is especially involved in the Workpackage Biogeochemistry (WP5) with emphasise on Southern Ocean (SO) and Eastern Boundary Upwelling (UP) systems. The VUB-RMCA consortium, in collaboration with from AWI (Bremerhaven), has been granted a Ph. D. scholarship by EUR-OCEANS entitled "Tracking type, origin and transformation of biogenic matter settling through the Southern Ocean water column from Si and C, N stable isotope signatures" . Anne-Julie Cavagna is the Ph. D. student in charge of this subject.