Biography
Maria Teresa Guerra is a PhD researcher in the iCRAG groundwater and marine research spoke. Maria teresa graduated with a BSc in Environmental Science in 2014 from La Sapienza University of Rome (IT) , and with a MSc in Coastal and marine biology and ecology in 2016 from University of Salento (Lecce, IT) before joining iCRAG in 2016 under the supervision of Prof. Carlos Rocha.
Increasing our knowledge about groundwater systems in coastal areas is becoming more important in order to understand how these systems work and their potential impact on species of interest in the marine environment.
Groundwater flow into the sea could have an impact on ocean acidification. My research focus is on groundwater input to Irish coastal areas. I examine the chemistry of the coastal waters, and carbon in particular, to observe any changes in pH.
Project title: Contribution of Submarine Groundwater Discharge (SGD) to the marine carbonate biogeochemistry of western Irish coastal seas
Technical description
The aim of this research project is to quantify the contribution of Submarine Groundwater Discharge (SGD) to the marine carbonate biogeochemistry of Irish coastal areas, and to understand how the buffer system works in the coastal ecosystem with respect to the open ocean. In the last few decades the input of carbon coming from SGD has often been overlooked. I will analyse measurements of dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) and total alkalinity (TA) in order to understand pH variations and ocean acidification (OA) in selected systems. Quantification of carbonate in coastal areas will contribute to the prevention of losses in ecosystem functioning and services.
Role
- Postgraduate Researcher
Institution
- TCD
Research Area
- Earth System Change
Expertise
- Connected Waters
