The Department of Mathematics, Computer Science and Geosciences recently hosted the ‘Deep-sea Mineral Deposits: from Biogeochemistry to Geopolitics’ Winter School, held at San Giovanni Park, addressing topics at the intersection of science, the environment and highly topical global issues.

The initiative, sponsored by So.Ge.I. (Italian Geochemical Society), was organised as part of the Memorandum of Understanding signed between the University of Trieste and the University of São Paulo (Brazil) and forms part of the activities of the Executive Protocol between the Institute of Oceanography (USP) and MIGe. 

The programme offered an overview of deep-sea mineral deposits (polymetallic nodules, cobalt-rich crusts, hydrothermal sulphides), associated microbial activity – drawing parallels with evidence of the earliest forms of life on Earth – and analytical investigation techniques, from Raman spectroscopy to synchrotron light-based methodologies. The programme also addressed the environmental, economic and geopolitical aspects of deep-sea mining, in a context marked by the growing demand for critical raw materials for the energy and digital transition.

Almost forty participants took part in the international training activity, including students, PhD students, laboratory technicians, researchers and lecturers, including participants from other Italian and foreign universities. The programme featured speakers from the Brazilian university: Prof. Christian Millo (Institute of Oceanography), marine geochemist, Prof. Douglas Galante (Institute of Geosciences), astrobiologist, Fernanda Jamel, PhD candidate in Microbiology, and laboratory technician Evandro Pereira da Silva.

The organisers are planning a Brazilian edition of the Winter School next July at the University of São Paulo, with lecturers from Trieste taking part as speakers. As part of the collaboration, USP and MIGe are also developing mobility initiatives for students and doctoral candidates, with internships at both universities: in March, a Brazilian student from São Paulo is expected to arrive and will be hosted by MIGe in the MercuRILab research group coordinated by Prof. Stefano Covelli, UniTS representative for the Memorandum of Understanding.