Mesocosm Facility

The Bermuda Marine Mesocosm Facility (BMMF) is a robust and versatile state-of-the-art outdoor facility for experimental work and organism culturing.

The originally purpose-built mesocosm facility supported by the Heising-Simons Foundation was first used in 2018 and underwent a major upgrade with an NSF facility grant (#2129274) in 2022/2023. The BMMF provides scientists with an opportunity to conduct research in controlled aquatic environments under near-natural conditions, meaning natural sunlight and seawater that is pumped from the nearby Reach. 

There are several experimental basins and aquaria that can be run simultaneously and are designed with the potential to manipulate a range of environmental factors, such as temperature, light, CO2 concentrations, flow rate, and nutrients. Originally constructed for thermal stress experiments, the mesocosm facility provides for a replicated and robust experimental design that is ideal for research on a variety of topics, such as eco-physiology, reproduction and spawning, biological recovery and ecosystem resilience.

The mesocosm facility has the following key components:

Basins

• 12 x 500-L basins
• 4 x 1500-L basins – elongated, can be converted into flumes
• Adjustable height of bottom grates

Light intensity control

• Roof: Scaffolding holding a waterproof & light permeable (~75%) greenhouse foil
• Lids for each basin with exchangeable shading material (e.g., mosquito netting) for further light reduction

Temperature control

• 12 x AquaLogic DSHP-9 Heat Pumps, one for each 500-L basin
• 4 x AquaLogic HS-2 Heat Pumps, one for each 1500-L basin
• These high-capacity Heat Pumps can chill and heat and are controlled by a temperature controller with a thermometer inside each basin.
• Plywood lids for each basin (complete darkness)

CO2 supply and pH monitoring

• 4 levels of CO2 (ambient + 3 levels of CO2-enrichment); CO2 supply regulated by mass-flow controllers and directly bubbled into 3 x 200-L flow-through header tanks; flow to individual basins is adjustable
• Simultaneous and constant CO2 supply to up to 9 basins.
• Automated pH measurements in all basins via a centralized pH sensor (DURAFET III , Honeywell Process solution) and remote-controlled pumps. Control and logging software: LabView

Water supply and flow

• Continues supply of seawater from adjacent Reach
• Sediment filter
• 2 x 5,500-L header tanks for seawater storage
• Total capacity of seawater supply: 9,000 L/h
• Flow meters and gate values at each inflow to the basin
• Fresh water hose

Aquarium setup

• Up to 30 x 60-L aquaria are available that can be placed inside basins

Electricity

• 2 - 4 power outlets (110V) above each basin

Laboratory container

• 20-foot shipping container converted into a lab space with cabinets, bench space, various power outlets (110V) and a freshwater sink
• For (semi-)dry work in an air-conditioned space

Utility golf cart

• For quick and easy transport of life organisms from the boat to the BMMF and for transport of equipment.

Note: This webpage will gain further updates over the next few months with more detailed information about the capabilities of the upgraded BMMF.