interdisciplinary NETwork for the study of subterranean estuaries and their role in marine ecosystems

The MACGNET
Network

A collaborative network of scientists dedicated to the study of the groundwater hidden beneath our coastal shores. At MACGNET, we are diving deep into the world of subterranean estuaries, sites where land and sea meet resulting in a complex network of physical, chemical and biological interactions.

Submarine groundwater discharge (SGD) is an invisible yet globally important process, transporting water, chemicals and microbes from land to sea, profoundly influencing coastal ecosystems. However, understanding the intricate dynamics of subterranean estuaries requires a multidisciplinary research that is rarely conducted due to the traditional segregation of many research disciplines.

MACGNET brings togethers experts from diverse fields -hydrogeologists, geochemists and microbial ecologists – to tackle the challenges associated to studying coastal aquifers and SGD. Through shared knowledge and collaborative efforts, we are uncovering the secrets of coastal aquifers and their role in coastal habitats.

Why focusing on microbes?

Microbes might be invisible, but their impact on coastal groundwater ecosystems is huge. Here is why we are putting them in MACGNET’s spotlight:

Ecosystem
Engineers

Microbial communities play crucial roles in shaping the biogeochemical processes that govern coastal groundwater systems, determining the fluxes of chemicals or pollutants associated to groundwater discharge to the ocean. By studying them, we gain valuable insight into the inner working of these complex ecosystems.

Climate change
allies

Microbes can serve as powerful indicators of environmental health and change, and can also help mitigate impacts due to their roles in nutrient cycling and pollutant degradation. By monitoring them we can track shifts in coastal groundwater and seawater quality as well as identify potential threats to, or solutions for, ecosystem stability.

Interdisciplinary
insights

Incorporating microbial research is essential for a full understanding of the functioning of coastal aquifers, but cannot be attained without all the disciplines that encompass the study of coastal groundwater and SGD. By uniting experts from various fields, we can paint a more comprehensive picture of coastal groundwater dynamics and impacts.