Author: Athina Tzevahirtzian (Università di Palermo)
The study of the unique Mediterranean salt giant started well before the nowadays SALTGIANT ETN (2018 – 2021). On March 2016, another European project began, entitled COST Action CA15103 “Uncovering the Mediterranean salt giant (MEDSALT)”. The MEDSALT project has included a critical mass of both experienced and early-career researchers from Europe and beyond, embracing geology, geophysics, geochemistry, microbiology, and paleoclimatology in order to better understand the most recent (Messinian) Salt Giant of our Planet.
The MEDSALT lasted four years and ended on March 2020. From the 25th to February 27, 2020, the Final MEDSALT Symposium was the occasion to inaugurate the end of this project inviting MEDSALT and SALTGIANT members and other scientists from all over the world that work every day on bringing new insights on the salt deposits. During these 3 days, oral presentations, posters and other activities including art and culture were able to transmit messages and ideas concerning future scientific activities.
Sea Salt Crystals in Space:
Life in the Sea Salt Crystals:
Cosmos in Sea Salt Crystals:
The Symposium was held in the symbolic village of Piran (Slovenia), a town grown on salt located on the Adriatic Sea, in the northernmost part of the Mediterranean. Despite the Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) which prevented many from been unable to attend, 80 members have been host or participated on a live video call in order to review the scientific achievements performed in the last 4 years.
After 3 days full of salty knowledge and inspiration, the possibility of a future project has been proposed. The Salt Giant comprehension has still a long way to go…
THE SALTGIANT FELLOWSHIP 
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