Littoral Biological Processes

Since its creation in 1990, the research group has been studying continent-ocean interactions within the coastal ecosystem, including continental flows and their implications for the marine environment, mainly the nutritional enrichment of coastal waters and its consequences: harmful algal blooms and eutrophication. These studies include researching the mechanisms relevant to the associated biological processes and the relationships between continental inputs, spatial structure, and land use. The group is mainly devoted to basic science but it also addresses the growing demands arising from management criteria and legislation enacted by society and, in particular, by the European Union on environmental quality, human health and wellbeing. Currently, funding of the PBL’s research has been secured until 2024 mainly from European public sources. The group also has a strong commitment to science dissemination and outreach.