Dove Marine Laboratory (Dove)
https://www.ncl.ac.uk/nes/about/facilities/marinescience/dove/#about
Core Data
Identification
Hosting Legal Entity
Newcastle University
Address:
United Kingdom
Location
School of Marine Science and Technology Newcastle University, Dove Marine Laboratory, Cullercoats, North Shields, PO: NE30 4PZ (United Kingdom)
Structure
Type Of RI
Single-sited
Coordinating Country
United Kingdom
Status
Status
Current Status:
Operational since 1908
Scientific Description
Mission and objectives
The facility is a coastal field station embedded within the School of Natural and Environmental Sciences, University of Newcastle-upon-Tyne. It is owned and supported by Newcastle University. Built in 1908, ownership by the University was undertaken in 1967. It belongs to the MARS European Network of Marine Research Institutes and Stations. Its purpose is : * To facilitate research in marine ecology, coastal biology and physiology for the University research community, and for regional, national and visiting international researchers. * To provide undergraduate and taught masters level teaching spaces to appropriate degree programmes in marine sciences, ecology, geography, and other appropriate environmental science degrees, for both Newcastle and external Universities (UK and international), offering close proximity to intertidal rocky, sandy, estuarine, sand-dune and coastal pelagic habitats, and features of important geological interest. * To be a hub of community engagement across the region for issues relating to the marine and wider natural environmental and to be a centre for excellence in Marine Citizen Science, empowering members of the public to contribute robust marine evidence.* To underpin delivery of a regional programme of science outreach for school children and to promote engagement with the natural environment.

RI Keywords
Marine science, Time series, Plankton dynamics, Marine ecology, Marine biology, Ocean, Marine data, Marine, Plankton, Marine and coastal research, Marine Observations, Mesocosms, Marine Research, Coastal research
Classifications
RI Category
In situ Marine/Freshwater Observatories
Earth, Ocean, Marine, Freshwater, and Atmosphere Data Centres
Biological/Biomedical Engineering and Biotechnology/Nanotechnology Research Facilities
Scientific Domain
Earth and Environmental Sciences
Biological and Medical Sciences
ESFRI Domain
Environment
Services
Access to Plankton Dove Time series

This time series was established in 1969. We sample plankton monthly at a site of 55m depth, five nautical miles of the Northumberland coast (550 07’N 001020’W). We use three mesh sizes: WP-3 (1mm mesh) towed obliquely WP-2 (200µm mesh) deployed in 4 vertical hauls from 50m to surface ‘fine-mesh’ conical net (65µm mesh) deployed in 4 vertical hauls from 50m to surface and pooled We preserve the samples in 4% buffered formaldehyde for storage, and subsequently transferred to 70% ethanol for processing. The physical samples are stored at the Dove Marine Laboratory. The time series was established as a zooplankton monitoring programme, and the methodology reflects this. However, the preserved samples are analysed semi-quantitatively (M Baptie) to determine long term changes in phytoplankton community composition. Both zooplankton and phytoplankton assemblages exhibit long term changes in community structure and indicators of environmental change.

Access to Benthic Dove Time Series

This time series was established in 1971. The benthic time series is currently supported and co-funded jointly with University of Liverpool. Samples are taken at two sites 2-4 times per year, but sampling was more frequent (up to 30 grabs per year) in the early years of the programme. Replicate 0.1m2 grabs are sieved over a 0.5mm mesh and the residue fixed in 4% buffered formalin. Physical samples have not been stored after identification and processing. We have detected a number of marked shifts in community assemblage composition in these samples. Station P: Located 18.5km off the Northumberland coast, at a depth of 80m (55° 07? N, 01° 15? W). Station M1: Located 10.5km off the Northumberland coast at a depth of 55m.

Equipment
Mesocosm

measuring 2m in diameter and 1m high for large scale experiments in the main aquarium

Deep Water Tanks

with a water depth of 3m with continuous water circulation

Experimental Cabinets

measuring 1m x 1m x 2.5m designed for smaller tank experiments which require the control of temperature (3-20°) and photoperiod