In recent months, Matís, in good co-operation with the Marine Research Institute, has been responsible for research into microorganisms in the ocean around Iceland.
This is the first time such a study has been carried out, but the aim is to examine both the number of different microbial groups and the diversity in different sea areas and depths. In the future, the idea is that it will be possible to monitor the progress and changes in microbial composition between years, which can help to assess the impact of climate change on the biological system and its primary production. It should be borne in mind that the health of the microbial community is a condition for the life of the upper layers of the food chain to thrive, and it is therefore economically and environmentally important to acquire further knowledge in this field.
Further information about the project can be obtained from Eyjólfur Reynisson and Viggó Þór Marteinsson at Matís.