IRTA - La Ràpita
Ebre Delta Sea Laboratory
Type of Research Institution
 Intergovernmental  Academic
 Governmental, national  Private
 Governmental, local  Charity / Foundation
Address : IRTA- Ctra. de Poble Nou, Km 5,5
E-43540 (Tarragona) La Ràpita SPAIN
Phone : +34 977 74 33 81
Web Site : https://www.irta.cat/en/...
Director : Dr Josep Usall
Contact person :
Dr Jorge Diogène
Email : jorge.diogene@irta.cat
Number of permanent staff
 Scientists (with doctorate/ PhD) : 18  others : 30
Type of Activities
 Pure research  Academic
 Applied research  Education / Outreach
 Long-term monitoring  Policy / Planning / Consultancy
 Technology for environmental applications  Conservation & Protection
Main fields of research (at present - 6 max)
oceanography studies in estuaries, coastal wetlands and coastal areas including coastal embayments; study of Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs): population dynamic of microalgae, evaluation of toxins in the environment and in seafood and method development including biosensors; biodiversity of marine communities and invasive species; ecological indicators in estuaries and wetlands; aquaculture of marine species: nutrition, reproduction, pathology; climate change and One Health approach in marine ecosystems
Main research collaborations at international level (at present)
* The Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO
* National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration, South Carolina, USA
* Alfred Wegener Institute, Bremerhaven, Germany
* Institut Louis Malardé, Papeete, French Polynesia
* Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Napoli
Ongoing long-term monitoring programs
* Monitoring for the quality of waters in shellfish harvesting areas in Catalonia. Over 30 year-time series of oceanographic data including weekly data on phytoplankton populations
* Food safety of marine aquaculture and fishery products, including toxins, metals, HAPs, Dioxins, PCBs and microbiological pollution
* River, estuary and wetlands communities and physico-chemical data
Total area dedicated to research (m2)
Conference room
 no yes (number of seats : 100 )
Research vessel(s)
 less than 12 m in length; number of vessels : 4
  more than 12 m in length; number of vessels : 0
Brief description of vessels and on board scientific equipment :
open hard cock boats (In-board and off-board) and zodiacs for short range campaigns.
Oceanographic probes, CTDs, dredges, sampling devices, ....
Other major research facilities and equipment
* laboratories (713 m2): Nutrient analysis, Microalgal culture lab including walk-in chambers, Optical microscopy, Instrumental Analysis including LC-MS/MS and Gas chromatography, Biosensors lab, Biochemistry lab, Mammalian Cell lab, phytoplankton lab, Microbiology lab, Pathology lab, Histology lab, Molecular Genetics lab, Computers for modelling, Sample processing
*  vivarium for the farming of aquatic organisms: (1.200 m2)
*  outdoors farming zone for aquatic organisms and nutrition tests: (2.500 m2)
*  biosecurity building (500 m2) level II, for Challenge and pathology assay.
*  facilities for experimentation on biotic and abiotic parameters on aquatic animals
Ecosystem types available nearby
 Direct access to sea Direct access to brackish / estuarine waters

Other ecosystems : sandy coast, rocky coast, delta, coastal embayments, coastal wetlands, estuary
Areas of taxonomic expertise
 phytoplankton, macroinvertebrates, ichthyology
Specimen collections
 yes no

Brief description : phytoplankton
Hosting facilities for visiting scientists
 yes no
Training courses
 yes no

associated to master and PhD programmes: HABs, Instrumentation analysis, Biosensors, Risk Assessment, Animal Welfare, Aquatic animal health diagnosis, Aquaculture; Nutrition
Capacity and brief description of library
 small, about 300 volumes; can host 12 people

CIESM GUIDE OF COASTAL INSTITUTES IN THE MEDITERRANEAN AND ADJACENT SEAS
 Last update : 01/02/2023