header-photos-1.jpg

Marta Masdeu

Marta Masdeu

PhD Student

Departament de Biologia Marina i Oceanografia
Institut de Ciències del Mar, CSIC
Pg. Marítim de la Barceloneta, 37-49
08003 Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
Tel: (34) 93 2309500 Ext: 445671
Fax: (34) 93 2309555
e-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

RESEARCH INTERESTS

The main goal of my thesis is to understand how volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are a fundamental part of the pelagic ecosystem. VOCs are generated by marine organisms and, through physical and chemical processes, they reach the atmosphere where they play a key role. VOCs, which include methane and other hydrocarbons, hydrogenated hydrocarbons, terpenes, halocarbons, and sulfur volatiles, are known to play a key role in troposphere and stratosphere chemistry, oxidative capacity, and aerosol formation. To understand the formation and distribution of these compounds, I've undertaken experiments to understand the relationship between VOCs and the abundance, photobiology and photochemistry in a coral reef, and in Mediterranean waters. In addition, I have performed a series of genetic experiments to understand how the gene expression explains the variability in volatiles during the day/night cycles.