About
Phreatic is a not-for-profit organization based in Cala Gonone (Sardinia, Italy), founded by a group of extreme environment explorers, scientists and researchers. We started our operations in 2014, in the Supramonte plateau and the Gulf of Orosei. We are mainly active in the Mediterranean basin and our projects cover an ever-growing spectrum of scientific subjects, such as environmental processes, geology, speleology, marine biology and conservation of delicate ecosystems, including: hypogene environments, groundwater resources, marine caves and their integration with coastal environment.
Mission
Explore, Know, Protect. Phreatic exists to advance knowledge about groundwater resources and marine caves, and to insure their protection and conservation.
Mission
Activities
Cave systems and aquifers are being damaged and destroyed because many people do not understand their value. Most of the coastal and marine areas in the Mediterranean Sea are affected by anthropogenic impact and for most of them there is scarce information; less than 7% of them are designated as Marine Protected Areas. Phreatic supports an ever-growing spectrum of projects aimed at increasing knowledge of these delicate environments and promoting public awareness about their importance.
Survey
Understanding caves and costal underwater environments requires mapping and surveying. We use both traditional techniques and new digital instruments to build digital cartography.
3D Model
Representing a cave in a 3D model is aesthetically very pleasing but generally not very accurate. We have introduced new techniques allowing a closer match, but especially we have developed tools and methodologies for underwater cave photogrammetry.
Sediment Analysis
Collecting samples and cores for researchers is a delicate task; not only it requires solid understanding of the specific techniques, but also communication between divers and researchers to ensure proper application and scientific method.
Exploration
Despite true cave exploration is a task that only few people can accomplish, we strongly believe in a team approach; this does not mean only pushing boundaries in a team comprising divers and non-divers alike, but also publishing the results and involving local communities.
Media
Photo and video experts have captured each and every operation run during the campaigns and we will continue to produce materials that document the work, but especially will allow the whole community to understand and appreciate the importance of citizen science and preservation of the environment.
Paleontology
Conservation and protection of palaeontological remains starts with survey and study in situ, using media documentation and detailed 3D models to allow researchers to get a good understanding and local communities to appreciate the resources of their own areas.
Citizen Science
We believe in the power of Citizen Science. Over the years, we gathered a lot of experience in coordinating groups of volunteers, working with professional scientists to achieve common goals. Large volunteer networks often allow scientists to accomplish tasks that would be too expensive or time-consuming to accomplish through other means.
Researchers collaborating with Phreatic can count on our network of volunteers, recruited to carry out specific tasks according to the project scope and ranging from experienced recreational and technical divers, cave divers and speleologists.
Mission
Get involved
Every year we organise several projects and citizen science initiatives, open to volunteers from any country and with different backgrounds. Would you like to be part of the Phreatic team? Download our 2021 projects plan and chose the one that best suits your interests and experience. We are also open to new ideas: if you have a specific project that you would like to organise with us, that is not listed in our plan, just contact us!
Diver
Researcher
University or school
Student
Wilderness Addict
Organization
Partners
