Protocol for Using Mesocosms
CMU Biological Station
I.
To use/reserve the mesocosms, researchers must make a formal request to the Director by
completing the Request for Using Mesocosms form. Reservations for the mesocosms will be
made based on availability, however priority will be given to projects involving CMUBS
researchers and grant sponsored projects. To determine whether the mesocosms are available for
a specific time period, check the calendar in the CMUBS manager’s office. Once a reservation is
granted final approval, then it will have priority over all other requests during the approved time
interval.
II.
Prior to submitting the Request for Using Mesocosms form, researchers must meet with
the director to determine if the mesocosm is operationally/legally (state and federal permits)
appropriate for their project.
III.
Researchers should plan on the following fees for using the mesocosm facility (see Table
1). The actual costs of using the mesocosm may differ from those listed in Table 1 based on
involvement of CMUBS researcher, CMU student involvement, and funding available to the
researchers.
Table 1. Costs and fees for using the mesocosm facility at CMUBS. Fees for internal users
apply to faculty members that are at, or affiliated with, CMUBS. Fees for external users apply to
researchers that are not affiliated with CMUBS or CMU.
Cost
Internal Users
External Users
Start-up1
$300
$300
2
Maintenance
—
$15/day
Electricity (when light are on)
—
$30/hour
*In addition, researchers should have contingency funds available, if at all possible, to cover the
pro-rated replacement costs of any pumps or bulbs that fail during the experiment.
IV.
If researchers not affiliated with CMUBS wish to use the mesocosm facility, a faculty
member at CMUBS must agree to sponsor their application. The faculty-member sponsor will be
responsible for ensuring that the mesocosms are used appropriately.
1
2
Start-up includes 8 hours of John Works time for training and starting the mesocosm system.
Maintenance includes 1 hour/day of technician time for record keeping and general upkeep.
Request for Using Mesocosms
CMU Biological Station
Complete form and submit to John Gordon, Station Manager, john.j.gordon@cmich.edu
1. Project title: Click here to enter text.
2. Researcher’s Name & Affiliation: Click here to enter text.
3. Faculty-Member Sponsor (If researcher is not affiliated with CMUBS):
Click here to enter text.
☐ Yes
☐ No
5. Are funds available to pay for use of the facility? (check one) ☐ Yes
If yes, please provide your account number: Click here to enter text.
☐ No
4. Is this project sponsored by a research grant? (check one)
If yes, please list funding sources: Click here to enter text.
6. What level of costs do you anticipate for using the mesocosms? (based on Table 1)
Click here to enter text.
7. Are funds available to cover pro-rated replacement costs of any pumps or bulb that fail
during experiment?
☐ Yes
☐ No
☐ No
8. Do you plan to use the artificial lights during the experiment?☐Yes
If yes, how many hours per day? Click here to enter text.
9. Check any specific conditions that will be part of the experiment:
☐ Nutrient Additions
☐ Contaminants
☐ Exotic Species
☐ Vertebrates
10. Describe the specific conditions: Click here to enter text.
11. Start date of research: Click here to enter a date.
12. End date of research: Click here to enter a date.
13. How many of the mesocosm tanks will you use for the experiment? Click here to enter text.
14. Do you agree to meet with John Works to learn how to set up, maintain, drain and clean the
mesocosm system?
☐ Yes
☐ No
15. Attach a 1-page summary of the proposed research.
16. Acknowledgment of responsibility for this project.
Name of Principal Investigator (CMUBS): Click here to enter text.
Date: Click here to enter a date.
17. Approval of Request:
☐ Yes
☐ No
___________________________________
Signature of Director
_______________
Date