I’m a benthic ecologist with a strong interest in biogeochemistry. I’m currently working at the University of Parma (Italy) on a project focused on the study of the greenhouse gas emissions from wetlands undergoing environmental restoration. This work is part of a European project (REWET) and for the next three years I’m in charge to conduct the study of greenhouse gas emissions from the oxbow lake in Gussola, a perifluvial area of the Po River (Italy).
In the last two years, I was the Principal Investigator of the BUFFER project, a grant from the National Science Centre carried out at the University of Gdańsk (Poland). More information about the project in the dedicated page (BUFFER).
During my PhD I investigated the interaction among macrofauna, macrophytes and microbial communities in aquatic environments. In particular, my research focused on ecosystem services provided by macrophytes and macrofauna evaluated through a biogeochemical approach.
Research
I have a broad interest in biogeochemical cycling in aquatic environments. My research covers different aspects of macrofauna, primary producers and microbes interactions
Projects
The BUFFER project aims at analyzing how the mechanisms that determine nutrient transformations, loss or retention within sediments are regulated, along multiple environmental conditions generated by the interaction of eutrophication and climate change.
Look at the ongoing activities in the Blog!
Publications
Benelli, S., Bartoli, M., Magri, M., Brzana, R., Kendzierska, H., Styrcz-Olesiak, K., & Janas, U. Spatial and seasonal pattern of microbial nitrate reduction in coastal sediments in the Vistula River plume area, Gulf of Gdańsk. Frontiers in Marine Science, 11, 1333707.
Sara Benelli 