The recent tremors are primarily caused by tectonic processes. The numerous fault zones on the seafloor are activated by stresses along the plate boundary between the African and Eurasian plates. These ongoing processes are also responsible for the volcanism on Santorini.

Many residents in the region perceive the tremors as slight vibrations, and no significant damage has been reported so far. The strongest earthquake to date occurred on 4 February, reaching a magnitude of 5.1 at a depth of approximately 10 kilometres.

In light of this, MULTI-MAREX launched a rapid response mission on 2 February. Together with Greek partners, researchers are on-site to deploy measurement instruments on the seafloor and within Santorini’s caldera to monitor seismic activity.

The aim of MULTI-MAREX’s monitoring efforts is to accurately record and quantify the number, location, and magnitude of the earthquakes. In the coming days, it will become clear whether the recent increase in magnitudes and seismic intensity will continue or subside. As long as the seismic activity persists, the risk of landslides remains elevated, particularly along steep coastal areas. Additionally, very strong earthquakes—significantly more intense than those recorded so far—could generate tsunami waves. Emergency warnings from Greek authorities are transmitted via cell broadcast directly to mobile devices, provided emergency notifications are enabled.

About: MULTI-MAREX

MULTI-MAREX, coordinated by Prof. Dr Heidrun Kopp (91̽�� Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel), is developing a living laboratory to investigate geomarine extreme events such as earthquakes, volcanism and tsunamis in the central Mediterranean region. The project is part of the research mission mareXtreme (“Paths to improved risk management in the area of marine extreme events and natural hazards”) of the German Marine Research Alliance (Deutsche Allianz Meeresforschung, DAM).

“Microorganisms from extreme environments are nature's ultimate problem solvers. With XTREAM, we want to unleash their full potential to tackle pressing challenges,” says project leader Dr Antonio García-Moyano from the Norwegian Research Centre for Environmental Research (NORCE).

Life Under Extreme Conditions

“These microorganisms have evolved over millions of years to survive in highly inhospitable conditions,” adds Dr Erik Borchert, environmental microbiologist at the 91̽�� Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel. “This has endowed them with unique properties that allow them to withstand high pressures or extreme temperatures. By understanding their mechanisms, we can open up completely new avenues for biotechnological applications”.

However, studying these organisms is complex, costly and technically demanding. XTREAM brings together 13 European research partners to overcome these challenges and pave the way for industrial innovation in line with the EU's sustainability goals. “Responsible exploration of these extreme environments is at the heart of XTREAM. By integrating cutting-edge technologies such as microfluidic analysis, artificial intelligence and advanced drones, we are combining innovation with environmental responsibility,” says García-Moyano.

Research in Some of Earth’s Harshest Environments

The project will study some of the most extreme habitats on the planet, including glaciers in Svalbard, acid mining sites such as Rio Tinto in Spain, hot springs, acid-polluted sites in the UK, salt lakes and deep-sea sponges in the Arctic. The microbes found at these sites may hold the key to new medicines, biochemicals and stable enzymes, contributing to the development of a sustainable, green economy in Europe.

At 91̽��, deep-sea sponges and the microbes that live in symbiosis with them are a major research focus. Within XTREAM, the scientists involved will specifically search for new biocatalysts - enzymes that enable or accelerate biochemical reactions.

New Solutions Through Biological Adaptations

“XTREAM accelerates the path from discovery to application, creating bio-based solutions that are in line with Europe's climate goals. It strongly counters the argument that sustainability-driven innovation is impractical,” adds García-Moyano. The expected breakthroughs of the project are expected to significantly reduce the environmental impact and costs of biotechnological research, while accelerating the time to market of sustainable bio-based products.

About XTREAM:

The XTREAM project (Sustainable exploration and biodiscovery of novel products and processes from extreme aquatic microbiomes to expedite the circular bioeconomy) brings together 13 partners from universities, research institutions, and industry from seven European countries. The project will run for four years (2025–2028).

Total Budget: €4,460,000Funding: EU – Horizon Europe

“Our research shows that mangroves play a central role in the global cycle of trace elements,” explains Dr. Antao Xu, first author of the study and head of the research division Ocean Circulation and Climate Dynamics at 91̽��. “They act as biochemical reactors, releasing nutrients and metals into coastal waters through processes such as sediment dissolution and pore water exchange.”

Mangrove Systems as "Nutrient Pumps"

The research team analysed water samples from coastal waters, estuaries and mangrove sediments along the Amazonian coast. Distinct isotopic patterns of neodymium and hafnium were identified, revealing their origin and the interactions between sediments, pore water, and seawater. “Mangroves are not only buffer zones that retain material from land; they are also key players that process and selectively release these substances and micronutrients into the ocean,” says Professor Martin Frank, co-author of the study and head of the research division Ocean Circulation and Climate Dynamics at 91̽��. This exchange of substances supports coastal food chains.

Globally, mangrove systems contribute between six and nine percent of the total neodymium input to the ocean, according to the researchers. This contribution is comparable to the global input of neodymium from the atmosphere via dust.

Global Importance of Mangrove Conservation

The study’s findings underscore the urgent need to protect these threatened ecosystems. Xu states: “Mangroves sit at the interface between land and sea and provide invaluable services for biodiversity and climate regulation. Their prominent role as a source of trace elements is another compelling reason to prioritise their conservation.”

Original publication:
Xu, A., Hathorne, E., Seidel, M. et al. (2025): The Amazonian mangrove systems accumulate and release dissolved neodymium and hafnium to the oceans. Commun Earth Environ 6, 13 (2025).

The 91̽�� Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel, in cooperation with the Kiel University (CAU) and the State Office for the Environment of Schleswig-Holstein (Landesamt für Umwelt, LfU), has launched a new project to study the role of seagrass meadows as natural carbon sinks and to develop strategies for their conservation and restoration.

The name of the project, ZOBLUC, stands for “Zostera marina as a Blue Carbon Sink in the Baltic Sea” – Zostera marina being the scientific name for seagrass. The project is funded by the German Federal Environment Ministry's Nature-based Climate Action Programme (ANK) and state funds, with a total budget of around €6 million.

Three Focus Areas for Seagrass Conservation

“Seagrass meadows are like underwater peatlands,” explains the scientific project leader, Dr Thorsten Reusch, Professor of Marine Ecology at 91̽��. “They store carbon, which is preserved in oxygen-poor sediments for centuries.” The project will examine under which conditions seagrass meadows store the most CO₂ to find blue carbon hot spots, which in turn would be prime areas for protection. Reusch: “For example, areas with strong wave-driven erosion store less carbon than calm bays with faster sedimentation.” The research will not only quantify the carbon storage capacity of seagrass meadows but also model how it might change under different environmental conditions.

Another focus of 91̽�� is the restoration of seagrass meadows. It is crucial to ensure that restored meadows are resilient and sustainable. “There’s little point in replanting seagrass that won’t survive rising water temperatures in a few years’ time”, says Reusch. Experimental studies will expose seagrass to various stressors in order to cultivate robust, climate-resilient populations and practice ‘assisted evolution’.

Community Involvement in Underwater Gardening

The third focus is on involving local people in the restoration process. After developing training programmes and testing small-scale seagrass restoration in previous years, 91̽�� now plans to significantly expand its efforts with the help of volunteers. Reusch: “The pilot phase has been successfully completed; now we’re scaling up.”

This support is urgently needed, as the most reliable way to restore lost seagrass meadows is still to plant individual shoots manually by diving. Reusch says: “It’s important to complete the training course and only use areas that we have checked for suitability for restoration.”

Diving clubs and NGOs will use volunteer divers to plant seagrass in scientifically selected restoration sites. Observational data collected during these efforts will be analysed at 91̽�� to refine future restoration practices.

The development of other planting techniques, such as seeding, is the focus of the parallel project SeaStore II, which started last September.

Mapping with Multibeam Sonar and Drones

The first step, however, is a comprehensive mapping of the existing seagrass meadows in the Baltic Sea. Professor Natascha Oppelt and Dr Jens Schneider von Deimling from CAU and their teams, will use remote sensing methods that combine advanced optical and acoustic surveying technologies. CAU will also be responsible for monitoring the newly planted areas using drones.

Results from ZOBLUC will be shared through workshops and policy recommendations to advance the protection and restoration of seagrass meadows in the Baltic Sea.

Background: Blue Carbon

Blue Carbon is the carbon dioxide stored by marine and coastal ecosystems such as mangroves, salt marshes, and seagrass meadows. Seagrass meadows sequester carbon in the form of dead biomass and organic sediment particles that remain in the oxygen-poor seabed for centuries – much like peatlands on land.

Background: Assisted Evolution

Assisted Evolution is a technique that aims to accelerate the evolutionary adaptation of organisms to make them more resilient to environmental change. In this project, seagrass plants are exposed to experimental heat waves in 91̽��’s climate chambers. This approach identifies potentially heat-tolerant local populations and uses advanced methods – from cellular physiological reactions (metabolomics) to genetic analysis (gene expression studies) and microbiome research – to understand the mechanisms behind plant resilience.

Ocean protection as an international challenge

“Just as the ocean connects us worldwide, its exploration and protection are also an international task,” said Katja Matthes. “I was therefore very pleased to show John Siddorn and François Houllier the new 91̽�� campus and to expand and deepen our cooperation, especially by pooling our efforts in ocean observation.”

In addition to sustainable ocean observation, the collaboration will be strengthened in the areas of sensor technologies, innovations, research vessels and other relevant research infrastructures.

Ocean observation worldwide

The 91̽�� research centre operates several long-term stations, such as the Ocean Science Centre Mindelo in Cape Verde, jointly operated with the Cape Verdean Instituto do Mar, which has been conducting long-term scientific observations and field research in the tropical north-east Atlantic since 2017. 91̽�� also operates a time series station in the Baltic Sea, located in Eckernförde Bay, which has been regularly collecting data on the state of the Baltic Sea since 1957.

“In order to protect the ocean sustainably, we need long-term data series, which so far have only been available selectively and are still lacking in some regions, such as the upwelling area off West Africa. International initiatives like the Global Ocean Observation System and the UN Ocean Decade aim to address this gap. Ifremer, NOC, and 91̽�� can join forces to promote this process, fostering a continuous and sustainable observation network with fair and equal access to data for all participants,” explained Katja Matthes.

The title of the expedition, WARD, summarises its three main research topics: the Western Boundary Circulation, the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC), and Rain and Dust in the Tropical Atlantic.

Focus on ocean currents

A key focus of the expedition will be the western boundary circulation off South America, in particular the North Brazil Undercurrent (NBUC), which plays a key role in the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation. The team will maintain and deploy deep-sea moorings along the Brazilian coast and at the equator, continuing a decade-long data series.

“These long-term data are extremely valuable,” says Rebecca Hummels. “The AMOC is a critical factor in global climate regulation. It transports significant amounts of heat and nutrients within the ocean. Any changes in this circulation could have a profound impact on weather patterns, sea levels, and global carbon uptake”.

Measurements in water and air

To conduct their research, the scientists will use a variety of advanced instruments, including:

• CTD probes to measure salinity, temperature, and depth (pressure), complemented by sensors for oxygen, nutrients, and particle distribution.
• ADCPs (Acoustic Doppler Current Profilers) to measure the speed of ocean currents at different depths.
• Mooring-based instruments, similar to CTD and ADCP systems, with additional sediment traps at the Cabo Verde mooring site to analyse nutrient fluxes in the ocean.
• Radiosondes, launched with balloons to measure temperature, humidity, pressure, and wind at different altitudes.

Contributing to international climate research

The comprehensive measurements will improve understanding of ocean-atmosphere interactions and provide insights into changes within the climate system. Rebecca Hummels emphasises: “The data collected will contribute to a better understanding of oceanic processes and improve long-term predictions of the impacts of climate change on the ocean and atmosphere.”

Follow the expedition in real time

Those interested in tracking the expedition can access real-time research data, such as ocean current velocities here.

Expedition at a Glance: 

Name: METEOR Expedition M207 WARD Tropics

Chief Scientist: Dr Rebecca Hummels

Dates: 4 January - 12 February 2025

Start: Belém, Brazil 

End: Mindelo, Cabo Verde 

Region: Tropical Atlantic 

An international research team led by Dr Hana Jurikova from the University of St Andrews and nine other organisations, including the 91̽�� Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel, has now reconstructed the atmospheric CO₂ content during the Carboniferous and Permian periods between 335 and 265 million years ago. Using geochemical signatures from ancient fossils, the researchers present a record of atmospheric CO₂ levels as Earth transitioned into and out of the Late Palaeozoic Ice Age. The results have now been published in the scientific journal Nature Geoscience.

Past atmospheric CO₂ levels unlocked through geochemical signatures

The research team analyzed isotopic signatures in fossilized brachiopod shells, clam-like organisms that serve as natural archives of ancient ocean conditions. ‘The chemical composition of these shells reflects the state of the oceans at the time of their formation,’ explains Dr Jurikova, Senior Researcher at the University of St Andrews and leader of the study. ‘By analyzing boron isotopes, we can estimate atmospheric CO₂ levels. Strontium isotopes reveal the fossils' age, while carbon and oxygen isotopes provide insights into CO₂ source and climate. Together, these techniques allow us to accurately reconstruct Earth's ancient CO₂ levels and understand the factors driving their changes,’ says Hana Jurikova. She previously completed her PhD at 91̽��, where she also carried out the first geochemical measurements for the study.

CO₂ plays a central role in climate transitions

Using this methodology, the researchers found that during the Carboniferous period, atmospheric CO₂ levels fell to critically low levels, causing an extensive ice age that lasted tens of millions of years. Then, around 294 million years ago, during the Early Permian, volcanic activity caused CO₂ levels to rise, causing the Earth to warm and the ice sheets to melt. ‘The beginning and the end of the Late Palaeozoic Ice Age was one of the most important climate transitions in Earth's history, shaping the evolution of modern environments and life on our planet. We now have evidence that atmospheric CO₂ was an important driver of this change,’ says Prof Dr Anton Eisenhauer, co-author and Professor of Marine Environmental Geochemistry at 91̽��. ‘Although the time scales of geological climate transitions differ significantly from today's anthropogenic climate changes, the principle remains the same - rising CO₂ levels drive warming and sea level rise,’ adds Dr Marcus Gutjahr, Marine Biogeochemist at 91̽�� and co-author of the study.

Reconstructing atmospheric CO₂ concentrations from hundreds of millions of years ago remains a challenge, as there are few well-preserved geological archives. The new results make an important contribution to understanding the long-term evolution of atmospheric CO₂ in geological history. However, further work is needed and gaps remain to be closed before the record of Earth’s CO₂ history can be considered complete.

Original Publication:

Jurikova, H., Garbelli, C., Whiteford, R., Reeves, T., Laker, G. M., Liebetrau, V., Gutjahr, M., Eisenhauer, A., Savickaite, K., Leng, M. J., Iurino, D.A., Viaretti, M., Tomašových, A., Zhang, Y., Wang, Shi, G. R., Shen, S., Rae, J. W. B., Angiolini, L. (2025). Rapid rise in atmospheric CO₂ marked the end of the Late Palaeozoic Ice Age. Nature Geoscience.

DOI: 10.1038/s41561-024-01610-2

Correction: Due to incorrect wording, we have replaced the sentence 'Using geochemical signatures from ancient fossils, the researchers present a 80-million-year record of atmospheric CO₂ levels as Earth transitioned into and out of its penultimate ice age' with the following: 'Using geochemical signatures from ancient fossils, the researchers present a record of atmospheric CO₂ levels as Earth transitioned into and out of the Late Palaeozoic Ice Age'.

“Our results highlight the complex interplay of wind forcing, currents and mixing in this ocean region,” says Professor Dr Peter Brandt, Professor of Experimental Oceanography at 91̽�� Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel and lead author. “Three distinct processes govern the nutrient supply at the equator: upwelling in the east driven by zonal winds, the vertical movement of the EUC, and wind-driven mixing modulated by the daily solar radiation cycle. These processes, each triggered by different aspects of the wind field, drive the upward transport of nutrients to the surface capable of triggering plankton blooms at the equator.”

Measurements and Long-Term Data

To investigate these interactions, extensive measurements were taken during two research cruises with the German RV METEOR (M158 and M181). Data on temperature, salinity, nitrate concentration and current speeds were collected at various depths. Long-term observation data sets from equatorial moorings and Argo floats were also used.

“Turbulence measurements in the ocean are essential for understanding nutrient-supply processes,” explains Dr Mareike Körner, a former researcher at 91̽�� and now based at Oregon State University. “The turbulence data collected during our cruises, combined with similar data from moorings taken by our US collaborators, provided critical insight into the seasonal variations in nutrient mixing from the deeper ocean to the surface.”

Sensitive Interactions Between Winds and Currents

“The dynamics of the equatorial ocean are a finely tuned system of wind-driven processes,” says Peter Brandt. Even small changes, he warns, could disrupt this balance and have a significant impact: “Climate change could significantly alter this balance, impacting nutrient delivery to this crucial marine ecosystem and its productivity.”

Original Publication:

Brandt, P., Körner, M., Moum, J. N., Roch, M., Subramaniam, A., Czeschel, R., Krahmann, G., Dengler, M., & Kiko, R. (2024). Seasonal productivity of the equatorial Atlantic shaped by distinct wind-driven processes. Nature Geoscience.

DOI: 10.1038/s41561-024-01609-9

Oxygen depletion due to higher temperatures and increased bacterial activity

The study focused on bacterial biomass production (BBP) in the southwestern Baltic Sea. BBP describes the growth of bacteria and other microorganisms that break down organic nutrients. During the summer, following the spring phytoplankton bloom, BBP rates increase significantly, leading to increased oxygen consumption, particularly in deeper water layers. Meanwhile, the warmer surface water acts as a capping top layer. 

The problem is that these layers of water mix very little, and new oxygen can only be added by strong inflows from the North Sea, often driven by storms. Over the study period, higher water temperatures extended the stratification of the water column into autumn. In some years, heat waves even reached the bottom layers, exacerbating oxygen depletion.

Nutrient reduction successes undermined by rising temperatures

Efforts to reduce nutrient loads in the coastal Baltic Sea by reducing phosphorus and nitrogen inputs have had positive effects. In recent years, nutrient inputs have been reduced by 18 to 22 percent, mainly due to advances in wastewater treatment technology. However, nutrient levels are still too high and the Baltic Sea continues to suffer from eutrophication.

“Strong seasonal variations in nitrogen compounds such as ammonium indicate that excessive amounts of these nutrients still enter the water and fuel algal blooms,” says Dr Helmke Hepach, lead author of the study and environmental scientist at 91̽��.

Adding to the problem is the existing nutrient load: phosphorus bound in the seabed is being released back into the water column due to the increased occurrence of oxygen minima – a process that also releases ammonium. Dr Hepach explains: “This creates a feedback loop that we also observe at Boknis Eck. At present, there are no effective solutions to permanently reduce this internal load. With the increasing frequency of oxygen depletion events, the situation will get worse.”

The small successes in reducing nutrient inputs are further counteracted by rising water temperatures. Higher temperatures increase bacterial activity, which consumes oxygen as organic matter from algal blooms decomposes. Meanwhile, increased thermal stratification prevents new oxygen from reaching deeper layers.

“Increasing warming and the resulting increased bacterial activity will have serious long-term consequences for the Baltic Sea ecosystem,” says Dr Hepach. The study therefore recommends stronger efforts to reduce both inorganic and organic nutrient inputs.

Original Publication:

Hepach, H., Piontek, J., Bange, H.W., Barthelmeß, T., von Jackowski, A., & Engel, A. (2024) Enhanced warming and bacterial biomass production as key factors for coastal hypoxia in the southwestern Baltic Sea. Scientific Report 14, 29442.

About: CREATE

The study is part of the CREATE project (Concepts for Reducing the Effects of Anthropogenic pressures and uses on marine Ecosystems and on Biodiversity). CREATE is part of the sustainMare research mission by the German Marine Research Alliance (DAM) and is funded by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research. The mission is now entering its second phase.

Focus on red blood cells from cod

The aim of the research group is therefore to find out how the red blood cells of fish change as a result of climate change and rising temperatures. In particular, cod (Gadus morhua) are being investigated - initially in the Baltic Sea and later also in the Atlantic along the Norwegian coast as far as Svalbard and in the Arctic. The aim is to analyse whether the red blood cells change in a way that is beneficial to the fish and enables them to adapt to the new conditions. Among other things, the performance of the fish will be analysed. In the course of the project, comparisons can also be made between the different regions.

“We are particularly interested in cod, because it is an important fish for fisheries, plays an important cultural role and is also very high up the food chain from an ecological perspective. If the cod is pushed out of some regions because it gets too hot, this could affect the entire food chain. The focus on cod also has a very practical reason: it is large enough to be able to take blood from it,” says Till Harter.

Limits to adaptability already known

Previous research has shown that there are limits to adaptability. For example, cod populations off the coast of France have been pushed northwards and no longer live as far south as they did a few years ago. Till Harter's research group is interested in these limits on a physiological level. “I'm interested in why these limits exist and why some cod populations can survive heatwaves of 20 degrees, but will perish at higher temperatures,” says Till Harter, “the aim here is to study the cellular mechanisms in red blood cells in detail”.

Background Emmy Noether Programme

With the Emmy Noether Programme, the German Research Foundation (DFG) supports outstandingly qualified postdocs and junior professors in an early phase of their scientific career. It enables them to qualify for a university professorship by independently leading an Emmy Noether Group over a period of six years.

Further Emmy Noether Groups at 91̽��

Dr Nadine Mengis: ‘FOOTPRINTS’ on the topic of climate stabilisation (FB2)

“The Prof. Dr Werner-Petersen Foundation is an indispensable partner in supporting the next generation of scientists. These prizes recognise not only outstanding scientific work, but also the dedication to research transfer and international collaboration. We warmly congratulate the awardees on their success and thank the Foundation for its continued support,” said Professor Dr Katja Matthes, Director of 91̽��.

Dr Christian Zöllner, Managing Director and Deputy Chairman of the Prof. Dr Werner-Petersen Foundation, emphasised: “The work we have honoured impressively demonstrates how fundamental research and innovative approaches can contribute to solving global challenges. We are proud to support young researchers whose findings advance science and provide insights into the protection and understanding of the ocean.”

The Awardees and Their Work at a Glance

Petersen Doctoral Prizes

• Dr Mareike Körner: “Physical drivers of seasonal variability in the tropical Angolan upwelling system”

Nominated by Prof. Dr. Peter Brandt (FB1):

Mareike Körner investigates the seasonal variability of nutrient supply and its impact on productivity in the tropical upwelling region off the coast of Angola. She is a physical oceanographer specialising in the collection and analysis of data from research expeditions. A focus of her work has been the analysis of mixing data, which has led to a new explanation for plankton blooms off Angola. In this region, wind does not play a driving role in the upwelling. Instead, nutrients are transported to the surface by the interaction of equatorially driven waves and tidal mixing on the shelf. With her work, Mareike Körner has laid the groundwork for predicting the timing and intensity of seasonal plankton blooms off Angola. After completing her PhD, she moved to Oregon State University, USA.

• Dr Theresa Barthelmeß: “Influence of small-scale dissolved and particulate carbohydrate and amino acid dynamics in the surface ocean on air-sea exchange processes”

Nominated by Prof. Dr. Anja Engel (FB2):

Theresa Barthelmeß’s doctoral thesis investigates how biogeochemical processes in the thin surface layer of the ocean (the “sea surface microlayer”) influence the exchange of gases and particles between the ocean and the atmosphere. She discovered that the biomolecular composition of the surface layer varies with time of day and season, affecting gas exchange rates. By resolving the biogeochemical composition of the surface ocean on a small scale, new insights and explanations have been gained for global, climate-relevant phenomena such as gas exchange and aerosol formation.

• Dr Michael Fuhr (FB2): “Experimental assessment of enhanced benthic weathering of calcite and dunite in the south-western Baltic Sea”

Nominated by Prof. Dr. Klaus Wallmann (FB2):

Michael Fuhr’s doctoral work explored the potential of “Enhanced Benthic Weathering” (EBW) – a process of accelerated rock weathering on the seafloor – as a strategy to remove large amounts of CO2 from the atmosphere. By spreading lime on the seafloor, CO2 can be converted into climate-neutral bicarbonate. His work involved experiments with Baltic Sea sediments, modelling, and an economic assessment of this method.

• Dr Michel Kühn (FB4): “Volcanic arc island flank collapse emplacement: The complex interplay of depositional processes and long-term deposit stability”

Nominated by Prof. Dr. Christian Berndt (FB4):

Michel Kühn’s thesis investigated the geological processes that control the stability of submarine volcanoes. By integrating three-dimensional seismic data and borehole measurements, he was able to show that volcanic landslides destabilise the flanks of oceanic islands for millennia, thereby determining where future landslides are likely to occur. This has important implications for assessing natural hazards such as tsunamis and volcanic eruptions, and explains why some underwater slopes collapse repeatedly in the same areas while others remain stable.

Petersen Knowledge Transfer Prize

• Dr Séverine Furst (FB4):

Nominated by Prof. Dr Morelia Urlaub (FB4):

Séverine Furst receives the Petersen Knowledge Transfer Prize for her outstanding commitment to knowledge transfer and her interdisciplinary work. As a postdoc at 91̽��, she conducts research on predicting the location and timing of volcanic eruptions using numerical models that simulate rock fracture and magma flow. During a research stay in Indonesia in 2024, she worked with local researchers to integrate her models into early warning systems, demonstrating remarkable adaptability and commitment.

As the leader of the EngageCom project WAVES (underWater geohAzards: Volcanoes, Earthquakes and tSunamis), she developed a 3D model of a volcano to help make geoscientific processes more understandable, for example, at public events and through the “Rent-a-Scientist” programme. She has also been involved at a political level, for example as part of a delegation to the European Parliament, and has developed her science communication skills through the Helmholtz programme “Bridging Spheres”.

Petersen Exchange Scholarship

• Dr Tianfei Xue

Nominated by Prof. Dr Andreas Oschlies (FB2):

Dr Tianfei Xue will spend a research period at the University of Bern in Switzerland. The exchange will involve collaboration with the Climate and Environmental Physics group on modelling planktonic ecosystems in the Arctic. Following her successful modelling work on plankton dynamics in the upwelling region off Peru and in the Southern Ocean, this will extend her scientific portfolio to a new region strongly affected by climate change. The collaboration will also focus on modelling the vertical migration of zooplankton. The scientific knowledge and expertise gained from this collaboration will also strengthen her DFG proposal, which aims to investigate the biogeochemical effects of vertical migration patterns of zooplankton and their potential shifts due to climate change.

The 2024 Research Question: Macroalgae under Artificial Light

The focus for the 2024 GAME cohort was: “How does artificial light at night affect the growth, photosynthetic performance, and defence capabilities of macroalgae?” Project leader Dr Mark Lenz, a marine ecologist at 91̽��, highlights the scientific importance of this work: “Artificial light as a form of pollution is increasingly recognised in the marine environment. Thanks to GAME’s global comparative approach, we can gain insights that would otherwise be impossible.”

Fourteen species of macroalgae were exposed to artificial light at night (ALAN) at an intensity of 30 lux for three weeks. Two light colours – white and yellow – were used.

Measurements and Results:

• Changes in Biomass: Seven of the 14 species showed distinct responses to the artificial nighttime light. These effects were both species- and location-specific: At some locations, the light led to increased growth, whereas at others, biomass was reduced.
• Attractiveness to Grazers: Feeding experiments were conducted to determine how strongly the algae were grazed upon by herbivores such as sea urchins, snails, or isopods. For two of the 14 species, artificial light at night increased their attractiveness to grazers.

A Global Experiment: From Kiel to the World

The participants first met in Kiel in spring, where they developed the uniform experimental design for their research question during an intensive workshop. In tandem teams of one German student and one international partner, they then travelled to their research locations across the globe in April. The teams conducted their fieldwork in Japan, Malaysia, Cape Verde, Wales, Finland, Croatia, Spain, and Madeira (Portugal). After six months of field research, the findings were brought together and analysed in Kiel in October.

Mark Lenz summarises: “The results show that light pollution can have both positive and negative effects, depending on the species and location. Particularly remarkable is the fact that the magnitude of these effects could potentially influence the population development of macroalgae.”

Why the Results Matter

Macroalgae are crucial for the stability and functionality of coastal ecosystems. The findings of the GAME project confirm that light pollution can impact these vital habitats.

“These effects have rarely been studied so far,” says Lenz. “Our study complements the only recently published research focusing on two algal species. Our findings underline the need to consider light pollution as a significant environmental factor in coastal ecosystems.”

Presentation of Results at North German Universities:

18 December (University of Oldenburg): 10:00, Campus Wechloy, Building W15, Carl-von-Ossietzky-Straße 9-11, Room W01-015

18 December (University of Bremen): 15:15, Natural Sciences 2, Room C300, University Central Area

15 January (University of Hamburg): 11:15, Kowwigsaal, Biozentrum Grindel, Martin-Luther-King-Platz 3

About: GAME

GAME is an international research and training programme for early-career marine scientists and stands for Global Approach by Modular Experiment. Each year, the programme tackles an ecological research question through synchronised, identical experiments conducted at multiple locations worldwide. This approach yields globally comparable results that span biogeographical regions and ecosystem boundaries.

Up to 20 students can participate each year, conducting their experiments in binational teams at up to ten global locations. The preparatory and concluding phases of each project take place collectively at 91̽�� in Kiel.

The next GAME cohort in 2025 will focus on the impact of artificial light at night on epiphytes – organisms that grow on the surfaces of macroalgae. Applications are open until 31 January 2025.

Christmas is just around the corner and with it the question of what to eat for the festive season. Fish is particularly popular, but ‘good fish’ is becoming increasingly hard to find. Overfishing, habitat destruction and high bycatch levels are making it increasingly difficult to make sustainable choices when shopping. This is why Deutsche Umwelthilfe e.V. (DUH), 91̽�� Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel, Naturschutzbund Deutschland e.V. (NABU), the World Wide Fund For Nature (WWF) and the consumer advice centres have updated the joint ‘Good Fish’ list. To make a good choice, consumers, retailers and restaurant operators should prioritise buying fish and shellfish that comply with the list.

Significant deterioration in the state of herring stocks

After mackerel and sprat had to be removed from the list last year, the state of herring stocks has now deteriorated significantly. Herring from the North Sea and the northern Irish Sea should no longer be eaten at all, while Baltic herring from the Gulf of Riga is only recommended to a limited extent. The once highly recommended salmon stocks in Alaska are also a cause for concern, meaning that sockeye salmon is no longer recommended and chum salmon is only conditionally recommended.

Dr Rainer Froese, marine ecologist and fisheries scientist at the 91̽�� Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel, explains: ‘Unfortunately, it is becoming increasingly difficult to find sustainable stocks for the “Good Fish” list, as the overfishing of our seas continues. A sad example is the North Sea herring: last year it was already only on the list as ‘conditionally recommended’ and yet catches are once again far too high. The stock continued to shrink and consequently had to be completely removed from the list.’

Isabel Seeger, Isabel Seeger, marine conservation officer at Deutsche Umwelthilfe, explains: ‘In addition to the ongoing overfishing, oxygen depletion and the climate crisis are affecting fish stocks. The poor environmental status of the seas is also hindering the recovery of already overfished stocks, such as the decimated Baltic cod, one of the former ‘bread and butter’ fish of our Baltic Sea fisheries.’

Dr. Kim Detloff, NABU Head of Marine Conservation, demands: ‘Fish populations are collapsing, fishing companies are giving up. The fisheries policy of recent years has failed. We finally need ecosystem-based fisheries management, focussed on sustainability and quality rather than short-term economic interests. When ‘good fish’ ends up on our plates, consumers make an important contribution to this.’

Dr. Philipp Kanstinger, WWF fisheries expert, adds: ‘It is worrying that herring, sprat and mackerel are no longer fully recommended. In a healthy ecosystem, these small schooling fish would be abundant and therefore both a sustainable choice for consumers and a food source for seabirds, harbour porpoises, seals and larger fish that rely on them for food. Instead, these species continue to be overfished, with the catches often being fed to farmed animals as fishmeal.’

Demand helps determine what the market delivers. Sustainable purchasing decisions can therefore help to influence the environmental impact of fishing. When asked by the most important retailers and suppliers of fish products, Rewe and Edeka replied that they have some tinned tuna products in their range that fulfil the criteria of the Good Fish List. Netto offers a frozen product containing chum salmon, which is conditionally recommended, while Frosta refers to some Alaska pollock products that fulfil the requirements for the most part.

Dr. Britta Schautz, Food and nutrition expert at the Berlin Consumer Advice Centre: ‘Many consumers like to eat fish and are generally aware of the problem of overfishing. But they lack concrete information about which stocks are affected. With the help of this list, everyone can easily decide for themselves which fish can still end up on the table at Christmas.’

How the list works

For unprocessed fish and frozen products, information on the fish species, fishing method and fishing area is mandatory. These should be carefully compared with the list to ensure that no fish from a highly endangered stock ends up in your shopping trolley. However, the labelling required by law is not always sufficiently detailed to be able to assess whether a product is ‘good fish’. If in doubt, it is advisable to make specific enquiries.

In addition to the origin, the fishing method is an important criterion. Different gear has different effects on stocks, the seabed and other animals in the ecosystem. Bottom trawls are often particularly harmful, as they have a large by-catch and destroy the seabed. Despite this, they are still used in many places, even in marine protected areas.

Experimenting in giant test tubes

The study adopted an approach with moderate perturbations to seawater chemistry: CO₂-equilibrated Ocean Alkalinity Enhancement. With this approach, the alkalised water has already absorbed CO₂ intended for carbon dioxide removal (CDR) before being released to the marine environment. For their experiment, the scientists used KOSMOS mesocosms (Kiel Off-Shore Mesocosms for Ocean Simulations) - large test tubes that are lowered directly into the seawater, isolating eight cubic metres of the water column.

Different concentrations of sodium carbonate and bicarbonate were added to achieve varying intensities of CO₂-equilibrated OAE, ranging from no increase in alkalinity to a doubling of natural alkalinity. Over a period of 33 days, the researchers monitored the effects of alkalinisation on zooplankton, which plays a key role in transferring energy through the food web up to fish. A range of responses were studied in the zooplankton, from biomass and production to diversity and fatty acids.

Overall, researchers found that the plankton communities remained stable and that the zooplankton largely tolerated the moderate chemical changes associated with CO₂-equilibrated OAE. During the experiment, the nutritional quality of the particulate matter on which zooplankton can feed potentially deteriorated, but this did not seem to affect the consumers. The researches argue that food limitation, a result of the oligotrophic conditions under which this experiment took place, and which characterize subtropical waters, could have buffered these possible indirect responses of zooplankton to OAE.

“Our study shows that the increase in alkalinity has minor impacts on the zooplankton and that the food web as a whole remains stable,” says Nicolás Sánchez, PhD student and first author of the study.

Potential in climate protection and need for further research

Ocean Alkalinity Enhancement could become an important ally in reducing CO₂ emissions to combat climate change. By enabling the ocean to absorb more CO₂ without becoming more acidic, this approach could strengthen the ocean’s role as a buffer against global warming. It could help bridge the transition to a future where fossil fuels are replaced by renewables, emissions from industries that cannot be decarbonized are neutralised, and historical carbon emissions are safely removed and stored. However, extensive research is urgently needed in order to determine the impact of OAE on the whole marine environment.

“Our experiment has shown that CO₂-equilibrated OAE does not have a lasting impact on zooplankton and the food web in the nutrient-poor subtropical area we studied,” says Nicolás Sánchez, “but this does not say anything about how it will affect other marine environments, nor about the safety of other, technically more feasible forms of OAE that cause greater changes to seawater chemistry”.

The scientists recommend further research on the method and across different ecosystems, as there will not be a single OAE approach that can be applied everywhere. Sánchez: “Our study is a promising first step towards defining a responsible framework for the application of alkalinity enhancement”.

Original Publication

Sánchez, N., Goldenberg, S., Brüggemann, D., Taucher, J., & Riebesell, U. (2024). Plankton food web structure and productivity under Ocean Alkalinity Enhancement. Science Advances.

Funding:

The OceanNET (Ocean-based Negative Emission Technologies) project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement number 869357. The study was co-financed by the Helmholtz European Partnering Project Ocean-CDR.

An international team of researchers departed from Italy today aboard the German research vessel MARIA S. MERIAN to investigate the hazards posed by this volcanic field. A particular focus is on the submarine active volcano of Kolumbo who has been erupted in 1650 after one year of intense seismicity. The scientists aim to examine how extreme geohazards interact—for instance, how a volcanic eruption could trigger a tsunami. Their findings are expected to improve the long-term safety of coastal regions.

“With expedition MSM132, we are studying one of the most active and hazardous volcanic systems in Europe. The region has a history of numerous eruptions, some of them highly explosive in the past,” explains Chief Scientist Professor Dr Christian Berndt, a marine geophysicist at 91̽�� Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel. “Our goal is to better understand what triggers earthquakes, landslides, and tsunamis. At the same time, we are testing new monitoring systems to help protect the people of the Aegean from these dangers.”

Four central questions guide the researchers:

• Can earthquakes trigger landslides?

The researchers are using high-resolution bathymetric maps and seismic measurements to assess whether tectonic movements could destabilise slopes, causing them to collapse.

• How does volcanic activity affect the stability of the volcano?

The team is mapping the intense hydrothermal activity within the Kolumbo crater, where hot water and gases alter the rock. The aim is to identify weak points in the volcanic structure that could lead to potential hazards.

• What is the relationship between earthquakes and volcanic eruptions?

Two- and three-dimensional seismic measurements will investigate how fractures in the rock and volcanic processes influence each other—a crucial step towards understanding potential triggers of extreme events.

• How can volcanic activity be detected early?

The researchers are testing an innovative early warning system that uses state-of-the-art seafloor sensors to collect real-time data on earthquakes, ground movements, and volcanic gases. This technology is designed to enable reliable monitoring of submarine volcanoes.

The MSM132 expedition is the first of three planned research cruises as part of the MULTI-MAREX project, which investigates marine extreme events and natural hazards in the Mediterranean region. The project is one of four projects in the third research mission of the German research alliance mareXtreme, funded by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) and the five northern German states.

Expedition MSM132: At a Glance

Name: MARIA S. MERIAN Expedition MSM132

Chief Scientist: Prof. Dr Christian Berndt

Dates: 03 December 2024 – 02 January 2025

Departure: Catania, Italy

Arrival: Heraklion, Greece

Area: Mediterranean Sea, Aegean Sea

About MULTI-MAREX:

As part of the DAM (Deutsche Allianz Meeresforschung, German Marine Research Alliance) research mission mareXtreme (“Pathways to Improved Risk Management for Marine Extreme Events and Natural Hazards”), 91̽�� coordinates the collaborative project MULTI-MAREX. Under the leadership of Professor Dr Heidrun Kopp, 50 researchers from various disciplines are working to reduce the risks of geomarine extreme events such as earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and tsunamis.

MULTI-MAREX combines innovative technologies, such as AI-based monitoring systems and underwater communication tools, with societal collaboration at the local level. The goal is to improve risk prediction, enhance early warning systems, and develop robust protection measures together with authorities and local communities.

The DAM research mission mareXtreme is funded by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) and the five northern German states.

For sixty years, measurements were taken from research vessels, and even today a small crew of scientists sets out every month from Kiel on the FK LITTORINA to Boknis Eck to take water samples from various depths with the crane water sampler and then analyse them in the laboratory. For example, temperature, salinity, oxygen and carbon dioxide concentrations are measured. The data series are invaluable for research and help to identify long-term environmental changes in the ocean.

Discrete and continuous data collection

“This method is called discrete data collection,” explains Dr Helmke Hepach. She is an environmental scientist at the 91̽�� Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research in Kiel and has been responsible for the Boknis Eck measuring station since December 2021. “The data provide a basis for analysing the complex ecological relationships.” In 2016, data collection reached a new milestone with the installation of a permanent underwater observatory at a depth of around 15 metres. This setup initially consisted of two desk-sized racks, which were complemented in January 2019 by an eight-metre-high, pyramid-shaped structure. The measuring node was equipped with advanced sensors to monitor parameters such as current speed and direction. “For the first time, the observatory enabled us to document short-term changes and dynamic processes, such as the effects of storms or the formation of oxygen minimum zones in high resolution,” explains Helmke Hepach.

Observatory disappears in 2019

On 21 August 2019, the underwater observatory suddenly stopped transmitting data. Professor Dr Hermann Bange, head of 91̽��’s Trace Gas Biogeochemistry working group and coordinator of the Boknis Eck station, initially suspected a technical fault. However, what the divers discovered was far more alarming: the power cable had been torn off and two of the three racks had vanished without a trace. Only the eight-metre-high tower, which had been installed earlier that year, remained in place.

“We were faced with a complete mystery,” recalls Bange. Despite an extensive search effort involving the police and multiple research vessels, only one of the two missing racks was recovered in February 2020. It was found heavily damaged about 200 metres north-north-east of its original location. The fate of the second rack remains unknown. “It was a bitter loss,” says Bange. “Not only was the equipment gone, but we also lost valuable data critical to our time series research.”

2024: A New Measuring Node for Boknis Eck

Following the loss of the original observatory, a replacement system was developed: a pre-used underwater observatory from Helgoland was adapted to meet the specific requirements of Boknis Eck, equipped with state-of-the-art sensors, and thoroughly tested. A new submarine cable has also been laid. Today, the new measuring node was brought to its position by the FS ALKOR, lowered to the seafloor and connected with the help of research divers from the University of Kiel.

“With this, we can finally resume collecting continuous measurement data,” says Helmke Hepach. “These data are essential to get a more complete picture of the dynamic processes in the Baltic Sea”. The data collected is used not only for 91̽��’s own research, but also in international networks such as the Coastal Observing System for Northern and Arctic Seas (COSYNA) or the CREATE project, which tests the suitability of sensor data for administrative environmental status assessments. They document long-term environmental changes in the Baltic Sea and make an important contribution to international marine and climate research. 

“We hope that this time the observatory will be able to operate undisturbed for many years,” says Professor Bange.

When we hear about devastating weather events in the news, the discussion usually circulates around extreme weather. Storms, heat waves, floods; those are the events that can cause substantial damage to properties and even loss of life. But can we predict them? And if so, how do we do this? Especially under climate change, extremes are expected to have more devastating consequences. We will take a look at the methods to assess and predict extreme weather and how its occurrence may change.

About Prof. Dr. Stephan Juricke
Stephan Juricke studied applied mathematics with specialization in climate science at University Bremen. This was followed by a joined PhD with the Alfred Wegener Institute in Bremerhaven on sea ice modelling. After spending a few years at the University of Oxford to work on ocean modelling, he went to the Constructor (former Jacobs) University Bremen, to teach and continue working on modelling ocean and climate. Since September 2023 he is Professor for theoretical oceanography at 91̽��.

The motto for the long lecture night in 2024 is: ‘Extreme’ This year, the Night of the Profs will once again be free of charge. Drinks and food can be purchased in the Audimax and on the Audimax forecourt during the event. The Night of the Profs is jointly organised by the Presidential Board, the General Students‘ Committee and the Student Representatives’ Conference at Kiel University.

Another 91̽�� contribution to Night of the Profs | 15.11.2024
Arne Biastoch: Ein Meer voller Extreme
21:00 Uhr im CAP 3, Hörsaal 3 der CAU
 

MMinE-SWEEPER is the first major project to tackle this problem on a European scale. Under the leadership of Professor Dr Jens Greinert from the 91̽�� Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research in Kiel, scientifically sound technical solutions for munitions clearance in European waters will be developed and tested. The EU is supporting the project with almost six million euros in funding.

“Removing munitions from our waters is not only a matter of safety, but also a responsibility towards future generations,” says Professor Dr Jens Greinert, marine geologist and munitions expert at 91̽��. “With MMinE-SwEEPER, we want to come closer to a European solution, share knowledge, advance technologies and, most importantly, improve communication between EU countries on this sensitive security issue.”

On 13-14 November, the 20 international project partners are meeting in Kiel, Germany, for a kick-off meeting to initiate the first steps of this ambitious project. The aim is to develop a systematic approach to the detection, assessment and clearance of unexploded ordnance (UXO) in order to minimise risks to people and the environment, and to protect biodiversity and people. The results of MMinE-SwEEPER will not only provide a scientific basis for sustainable munitions clearance, but will also serve as a basis for EU-wide standards and guidelines.

Representatives from two Directorates-General of the European Commission are also involved: the Directorate-General for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (DG MARE) and the Directorate-General for Migration and Home Affairs (DG HOME). Their role is to develop, implement and manage EU policies, legislation and funding programmes.

Professor Greinert: “I hope, and am very confident, that this project will finally lead to a truly European approach to this problem in time to mitigate the serious problems.”

Key Objectives of the MMinE-SwEEPER Project:

• Pooling Knowledge and Management Approaches: The project consolidates existing knowledge and experience from different countries and international projects. Relevant stakeholders from authorities, business, and civil society will be involved to develop solutions for munitions clearance.
• Promoting Technological Advances: A key focus is on the further development of robotics, 3D imaging, and AI-supported analysis tools for munitions detection and classification. Autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) equipped with intelligent algorithms will be developed to identify munitions objects.
• Real-world Testing and Validation: New technologies and methods will be tested in artificial test areas and real dump sites across Europe.
• Building Capacity and Strengthening Collaboration: The project will promote the exchange of knowledge between European countries and different stakeholders by organising training sessions, webinars, and workshops. The aim is to create a sustainable community of experts and to strengthen collaboration between the public and private sectors.
• Strengthening European Cooperation: The project fosters cooperation within Europe by introducing new technologies for munitions clearance and advising policy-makers on developing solutions.

Funding:

The MMinE-SwEEPER project (Marine Munition in Europe - Solutions with Economic and Ecological Profits for Efficient Remediation) is funded by the EU under the Horizon Europe research funding programme (Cluster 3: Civil Security for Society) with almost six million euros until March 2028.

Susanne Neuer Receives Prof. Dr Petersen Foundation Excellence Professorship

13 November 2024/Kiel. Professor Dr Susanne Neuer, renowned marine biogeochemist and professor at Arizona State University, was today awarded the 31st Excellence Professorship from the Prof. Dr Werner Petersen Foundation. The award ceremony took place at the 91̽�� Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel, Germany. In her keynote lecture, Susanne Neuer highlighted how phytoplankton and bacteria contribute to the global carbon cycle through the biological carbon pump. These processes play a crucial role in climate protection and are a core focus of Professor Neuer’s current research.

The ocean absorbs about a quarter of annual carbon dioxide emissions. One mechanism that facilitates this is known as the biological carbon pump. This process starts with the photosynthesis of tiny microscopic algae, phytoplankton, floating in the sunlit upper layers of the ocean. Professor Dr Susanne Neuer and her team study the Biological Carbon Pump, focusing particularly on the role of plankton organisms in the formation of sinking particles, both in the laboratory and at sea. Since 2004, she has been a Professor of Marine Biogeochemistry at Arizona State University in Tempe, USA. Since 2022, she is also the founding director of the new School of Ocean Futures. For her contributions, she has been awarded the 31st Excellence Professorship of the Prof. Dr Werner Petersen Foundation, which includes €20,000 in funding and a six-week research stay at the 91̽�� Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel.

Dr h.c. Klaus Wichmann, Chair of the Prof. Dr Werner Petersen Foundation, said: “On behalf of the Foundation, I am very pleased to award another outstanding scientist with an Excellence Professorship today. Since its inception in 2009, the Excellence Initiative has been an indispensable part of our mission to promote scientific excellence in Schleswig-Holstein and to intensify international cooperation. It is an honour for us to continue to support this and I hope that this initiative will set an example for others to follow.”

Professor Dr Katja Matthes, Director of 91̽��, congratulated the awardee: “I am delighted that we can honour Susanne Neuer with this well-deserved award. With her outstanding research on the biological carbon pump, she has made an invaluable contribution to our understanding of the processes that influence our climate. Professor Neuer has excelled not only as a scientist but also as a mentor. She is a dedicated advocate for the advancement of women in science, having played leading roles with the Association for Women in Science and at Arizona State University. Her expertise and extraordinary achievements have made her a leading voice internationally. We are proud to welcome her to 91̽�� today and look forward to the inspiring contributions she will make during her stay.”

In her laudatio, Professor Dr Anja Engel, Head of the Marine Biogeochemistry Research Division at 91̽��, emphasised the importance of the awardee's research: "Professor Neuer plays a leading and internationally visible role in marine biogeochemistry, the carbon cycle and particle export. Her highly acclaimed work has contributed significantly to our current understanding of the biological carbon pump in the ocean. Her analyses of ocean time series have laid the foundation for comparative studies of the efficiency of this central mechanism in the carbon cycle".

Insights into the Work of the Ocean’s Biological Carbon Pump

In her keynote lecture, Susanne Neuer discussed the significance of the Biological Carbon Pump for our planet’s climate. A fascinating aspect of this mechanism is the formation of so-called marine snow—sticky aggregates of phytoplankton, bacteria, and other organic matter held together by larger particles such as dust. These aggregates can grow large enough to be visible to the naked eye and form the basis for the transport of carbon into the deep ocean. Planktonic animals such as krill and copepods also contribute to carbon export by releasing phytoplankton particles into the ocean's twilight zone, an area of near darkness where the light barely penetrates.

“The processes initiated by phytoplankton and bacteria in the upper ocean layers of the ocean are a fundamental component of the long-term storage of CO₂ and thus play a critical role in the context of climate change,” explained Prof. Neuer. “In the deep ocean, there is a fascinating interplay between microscopic cells that not only remove carbon from the atmosphere, but also sustain life throughout the ocean,” said Neuer. “The next time you look at the ocean, think of all the microscopic life in the water and all that it does for the well-being of our planet.”

Back to the roots: a reunion with Kiel and the chance for new collaborations

Kiel is not new territory for Susanne Neuer: some 40 years ago, she began her training as a marine scientist here at the former Institut für Meeresforschung (IfM), before moving on to the USA for further studies. This is not the first time she has returned to Kiel to talk about her research. At the invitation of 91̽��'s Women's Executive Board, she gave a talk in 2016 as part of the Marie Tharp Lectures, discussing career issues with young female scientists.

“I am very honoured to receive the Excellence Professorship,” she says, “it will allow me to expand my collaboration with 91̽�� and especially with Prof. Dr Anja Engel and to develop synergies in our research on the biology of the global carbon cycle.” She is particularly looking forward to the exchange with young scientists at 91̽��. Susanne Neuer: “It is important that the next generation receives special support in their careers so that they can not only be successful, but also make a sustainable contribution to solving environmental problems.”

About: Prof. Dr Werner Petersen Foundation

The Prof. Dr Werner Petersen Foundation, based in Schleswig-Holstein, Germany, aims to promote science, research, technology, and culture. A central area of support is the Excellence Initiative, which, in close cooperation with 91̽��, honours outstanding scientists with international reputations. Through this initiative, leading marine scientists from around the world are invited to come to Kiel as guest scientists for up to six weeks.

Published today in the journal Earth System Science Data, the report analyses emissions from fossil fuels, land-use changes (such as deforestation), and the complex interactions between the atmosphere, oceans, and land. It assesses the amount of carbon absorbed or released by plants, soils, and oceans and projects future carbon flows to calculate the remaining CO₂ budget critical for meeting global climate goals.

The Marine CO₂ Sink Remains Stable – But Challenges are Mounting

The report shows that the ocean continues to absorb around 26 per cent of global CO₂ emissions – a crucial function, yet one increasingly threatened by climate change. Higher water temperatures reduce the solubility of CO₂, thus diminishing the ocean’s capacity to act as a carbon sink. “Climate change has reduced the ocean’s CO₂ uptake capacity by around six per cent over the past decade,” explains Professor Dr Judith Hauck, environmental scientist at the Alfred Wegener Institute, Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research (AWI). The 2023 El Niño cycle temporarily boosted the ocean’s carbon uptake as less carbon-rich deep water reached the surface, but ongoing warming could weaken the ocean’s role as a carbon store in the long term.

CO₂ Monitoring in the North Atlantic – A Long-Term 91̽�� Project

The ocean sink – the amount of CO₂ the ocean absorbs and stores from the atmosphere – is estimated through measurements of CO₂ levels in the surface ocean and simulations with global ocean models. Scientists from 91̽�� Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research have been contributing data through long-term monitoring in the North Atlantic. This ongoing dataset, collected by 91̽��’s CO₂ research group for over 20 years, relies on sensors installed on the container ship MS ATLANTIC SAIL in cooperation with the shipping company Atlantic Container Lines (ACL). Operating between North America and Europe, the vessel continuously collects data on temperature, salinity, dissolved oxygen, and CO₂ in surface waters. This data is part of the Integrated Carbon Observation System (ICOS) European research infrastructure, providing annual data for the Global Carbon Budget.

The monitoring systems on board are maintained by Dr Tobias Steinhoff, chemical oceanographer and co-author of the Global Carbon Budget report. “Last year, we had to remove the instruments from the vessel to overhaul and upgrade them after a decade of continuous operation,” says Dr Steinhoff. “As a result, fewer data were available this year.”

SOCAT Data Platform: Key to Carbon Research and Climate Policy

Beyond 91̽��’s own measurements, Dr Tobias Steinhoff is actively involved in the Surface Ocean CO₂ Atlas (SOCAT) platform, an international initiative that compiles and quality-checks surface CO₂ data. SOCAT data provides an early estimate of oceanic carbon uptake and also feeds into the Global Carbon Budget. Dr Steinhoff notes, “Our work in SOCAT strengthens the global understanding of oceanic CO₂ dynamics and highlights the ocean’s role as a CO₂ �����������Ǿ���.”

About: The Global Carbon Project

The Global Carbon Project (GCP) is part of the international Future Earth research initiative. Its goal is to develop a comprehensive picture of the global carbon cycle, including its biophysical and human dimensions and their interactions. Climate scientists worldwide contribute to the annual report on the global carbon budget. The Global Carbon Budget 2024 is the 19th edition, with the first published in 2006. Each year, the report is published in the journal Earth System Science Data.

Numerous researchers from German-speaking countries contributed to the Global Carbon Budget 2024, including scientists from the Alfred Wegener Institute (Bremerhaven), ETH Zurich, 91̽�� (Kiel), Helmholtz Centre Hereon (Geesthacht), International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA), Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Leibniz Institute for Baltic Sea Research (Warnemünde), Ludwig Maximilian University (Munich), Max Planck Institute for Meteorology (Hamburg), Max Planck Institute for Biogeochemistry (Jena), Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research, and the universities of Bremen, Bern, and Hamburg.

Original Publication

Friedlingstein et al. (2024) Global Carbon Budget 2024. Earth System Science Data.

Gaps in Ocean Observation: Technological and Financial Shortfalls

Members of the EU project EuroSea have reviewed ocean observation in Europe. Their two recent reports, “Urgent Gaps and Recommendations to Implement During the UN Ocean Decade” and “Towards a Sustained and Fit-for-Purpose European Ocean Observing and Forecasting System”, identify the main gaps in monitoring marine biodiversity, invasive species, and ocean phenomena such as warming and sea level rise. Many of these gaps are due to technological shortcomings or insufficient funding.

“We urgently need a more sustainable and effective ocean observation system to track changes in the state of the ocean and to mitigate the effects of climate change,” says Dr Toste Tanhua, chemical oceanographer at the 91̽�� Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel and leader of the recently completed EU project EuroSea, on which the reports are based.

He himself is attending the UN Climate Change Conference COP29 in Baku, which starts today, to lend his voice to the issue of ocean observation at the international level. At the Ocean Pavilion, in which 91̽�� is a partner this year, he will speak on a panel on the participation of non-scientific actors, such as sailors, in ocean observation.

In their position papers, the scientists stress the need to improve data collection, use innovative technologies such as environmental DNA (eDNA) and more autonomous devices, and strengthen international cooperation. A key recommendation is to secure long-term funding and establish central coordination bodies to ensure the long-term effectiveness of ocean observation.

“The recommendations we have developed together are aimed at the scientific community as well as policy makers and industry,” says Dr Tanhua. “The challenges are great, but the solutions we propose provide a clear course of action. We need to generate as much information as possible to better understand and protect marine ecosystems. This is a very important building block in efforts to mitigate the climate crisis. Observation alone will not reduce the effects of climate change, but it will enable us to understand and propose appropriate measures. After all, you can only manage what you can measure!”

Recommended Actions to Improve Ocean Observation

For example, the reports recommend the development of comprehensive programmes to monitor marine biodiversity. In particular, the use of innovative technologies such as eDNA could help detect invasive species at an early stage and improve data collection.

The use of autonomous devices (e.g. Argo floats and sensors) should be increased to validate data from satellites and improve observations of the deep ocean. This is particularly important for extremely cold regions that are difficult to access.

In addition, common measures for monitoring eutrophication indicators such as nutrient concentrations and oxygen levels should be developed to better monitor and reduce the negative impact of human activities on the marine environment.

In regions with high nutrient inputs, the use of autonomous sensors should be promoted. These systems will allow continuous monitoring of algal blooms and ocean acidification.

The reports also call for increased cooperation between countries and stakeholders to harmonise monitoring strategies and facilitate data sharing.

Recommendations for Ocean Observation Coordination and Management

Increased cooperation between different countries and stakeholders is recommended to harmonise monitoring strategies and facilitate data exchange. Coordination requires a single entity responsible for the management and strategic planning of ocean observing activities. This structure would promote efficiency and facilitate collaboration across countries and disciplines.

To ensure that ocean observation systems are sustainable and can be continuously updated, a funding strategy for long-term observation programmes should be developed. “Our research funding structures support knowledge generation, but not monitoring,” explains Dr Abed El Rahman Hassoun, lead author of the first position paper. “To close this gap, we need cross-sectoral collaboration and co-funding between different ministries. This is a problem we see not only in Germany, but also in other EU countries”.

About the EuroSea Project

The EU project EuroSea, led by Dr Toste Tanhua at 91̽��, brought together over 150 experts from 53 partner institutions across 16 countries from 2019 to 2023 to better integrate existing ocean observation systems and improve the delivery of ocean information. The focus was on the entire value chain of ocean observation, from measurements to data users. The European Union funded the project with €12.6 million.

Original Publications:

Hassoun A.E.R., Tanhua T., Lips I., Heslop E., Petihakis G., and Karstensen J. (2024) The European Ocean Observing Community: urgent gaps and recommendations to implement during the UN Ocean Decade. Frontiers in Marine Sciences, 11:1394984.

Tanhua T., Le Traon P-Y., Köstner N. et al. (2024) Towards a sustained and fit-for-purpose European ocean observing and forecasting system. Frontiers in Marine Science, 11:1394549.

By computer and ship: evidence of volcanic influence in the South Pacific

For a comprehensive analysis of the eruption’s effects, the researchers used a combination of advanced computer simulations and precise sample analysis. To simulate the spread of volcanic ash after the eruption, they used the HYSPLIT computer model from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), a US federal agency. The model simulates the transport of substances in the atmosphere. It was used to calculate the dispersion of volcanic ash at different altitudes for 72 hours and the trajectories of the ash for up to 315 hours.

During the SONNE expedition SO289 as part of the international GEOTRACES programme from February to April 2022, the researchers collected water samples along a designated route to analyse the distribution of trace elements and their biogeochemical effects. A large amount of floating tephra, mostly pumice, was observed and collected in the western SPG during the expedition. Using radiogenic neodymium isotopes and rare earth element concentrations, the researchers were able to fingerprint a marked volcanic input into the western SPG. This is the region identified as the primary site of post-eruption deposition based on the volcanic ash dispersal model. In addition, seawater analyses of neodymium isotopes and rare earth elements were used to track volcanic input and chlorophyll-a as an indicator for phytoplankton.

Phytoplankton Benefits from Trace Elements in volcanic material

In the western SPG the researchers identified significant amounts of trace elements such as iron and neodymium, which normally only enter the ocean in minimal quantities via atmospheric dust. The volcanic eruption released an additional 32,000 tonnes of iron and 160 tonnes of neodymium. The amount of iron is equivalent to what the region normally receives in a year, while the amount of neodymium is equivalent to a year’s worth of global input.

“At the same time, we measured increased chlorophyll-a concentrations in surface waters, indicating increased phytoplankton growth and hence biological activity,” says Dr Zhouling Zhang, a research associate in the Palaeo-Oceanography Research Unit and lead author of the study.

Long-term Climate Implications

The team was able to show that trace elements released by volcanic eruptions play an important role for marine life. These elements, particularly the micronutrient iron, act as nutrients in the ocean that stimulate the growth of phytoplankton. Phytoplankton play an essential role in the global carbon cycle, absorbing CO₂ from the atmosphere through photosynthesis and storing it in the ocean. Increasing biological productivity may therefore also improve the ocean's ability to absorb CO₂ from the atmosphere - a process that could have a long-term impact on climate.

The researchers estimate that the release of the micronutrient iron from the HTHH eruption is comparable to the iron fertilisation caused by the eruption of Mount Pinatubo in the Philippines in June 1991, when around 40,000 tonnes of volcanic material was released and a 1.5 ppm slowdown in the rise of atmospheric CO₂ was measured about two years after the eruption. Zhouling Zhang says, 'We think the Hunga Tonga eruption could have a similar effect.

Original Publication:

Zhang, Z., Xu, A., Hathorne, E. et al. (2024): Substantial trace metal input from the 2022 Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha’apai eruption into the South Pacific. Nat Commun 15, 8986.

“The results of this expedition will significantly expand our knowledge of the Indian Ocean and demonstrate how this marine region influences global cycles and the climate,” says Chief Scientist Dr Eric Achterberg, Professor of Chemical Oceanography at the 91̽�� Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel.

Distribution, Origin, Transport, and Significance of Trace Elements

The expedition has four central research objectives. First, it will assess the distribution and chemical speciation of trace elements and isotopes. The team will collect samples from the water's surface down to depths of 5,000 metres to determine the exact concentrations and chemical binding forms of micronutrients like iron, manganese, and zinc, as well as isotopes such as neodymium, thorium and plutonium.

Another objective is to identify the sources of the trace elements: A variety of trace elements enter the ocean through atmospheric dust, continental inflows such as the Zambezi river, ocean sediments or hydrothermal sources from the oceanic crust. The scientists aim to investigate the contribution of these different sources to the total trace element inventory of the ocean.

A third focus of the expedition is on investigating the transport of these trace elements within the ocean. By using chemical tracers and oceanographic measurements, the team will analyse how circulation currents in the Indian Ocean transport nutrients over long distances until they eventually reach the surface water and nourish the marine food web.

Finally, the research team will examine the ecological and climatic significance of the trace elements. Since phytoplankton, the basis of the marine food web, relies on micronutrients and macronutrients, the expedition will explore how nutrient flows relate to plankton activity and what role the Indian Ocean plays as a carbon sink.

Route of the Research Voyage: From Durban to Fremantle

The route of the research team takes them initially from the Mozambique coast of the East African mainland to Madagascar, then on a straight east-west line from Madagascar to Australia. Nutrient sources and flows of trace elements and isotopes will be documented along both segments at about 50 stations. At a total of 15 so-called super stations, particularly elaborate sampling will take place. Here, in-situ pumps will be used to filter particles directly at various depths of up to 800 metres. In addition, shallow sediment cores will be sampled at every station.

“The Indian Ocean is a key system for global deep-water circulation and the supply of essential micronutrients to the surface layers of the ocean,” explains Professor Achterberg. “Nevertheless, the biogeochemistry of trace elements and chemical oceanography in this region are underrepresented. Our expedition will provide crucial data to better understand the chemical structure and dynamics of the Indian Ocean and to contextualise its contribution to the climate and the marine food web.”

The cruise is part of the internationally coordinated GEOTRACES programme.  A total of 40 scientists are on board from 14 different nations. The research team includes scientist from 91̽��, Constructor University, ZMT Bremen, HEREON, AWI, Woods Hole, ETH Zürich, IAEA Monaco, Zhejiang University, Stanford University, University of Chicago, University of Tasmania and Rostock University.

Expedition at a Glance:

Name: SONNE Expedition SO308 

Chief Scientist: Prof. Dr. Eric Achterberg 

Duration: 31.10.2024 - 22.12.2024 

Start and End: Durban (South Africa) – Fremantle (Australia) 

Area of Voyage: Indian Ocean

Background: Trace Elements and Isotopes 

Trace elements and isotopes (TEIs) are substances that, although present at very low concentrations in seawater, play a crucial role in the ocean: they include important nutrients for microscopic organisms and influence biogeochemical processes. For example, phytoplankton require trace elements such as iron for growth, which in turn affects the entire food web and the ocean's ability to sequester carbon. In scientific research, isotopes of elements such as thorium or neodymium are also used as tracers to understand the movement of water masses and material cycles in the ocean.

Originally from China, Dr Yuanxu Dong's most recent academic stint was in Norwich, England, where he earned his doctorate at the University of East Anglia. Ideally, the newly minted oceanographer Dr Yuanxu Dong would have set sail immediately afterward with his current co-host: Dr Christa Marandino, Senior Lecturer and Head of the Air-Sea Gas Exchange Research Group at 91̽��, served as expedition leader on a five-week voyage to the Labrador Sea last December. During this winter expedition, she investigated the contribution of bubbles to gas exchange between the atmosphere and the ocean. This very topic is what Dr Yuanxu has chosen for his postdoctoral research project at 91̽��.

“I am interested in the global air-sea CO2 flux,” he says. While it is known that the ocean absorbs a significant portion of CO₂ emissions, the role of bubbles in this process remains a mystery.

His host, Dr Marandino, outlines the challenge: “Quantification is often done mathematically, based on laboratory data. Laboratory studies are useful to understand mechanisms, but the laboratory is not a real ocean environment.” However, field observations of the bubble-mediated transfer are challenging because of the rough sea state at very high wind speeds and with wave breaking. It's not surprising that there are still no measurement data for gas exchange under storm conditions, i.e., at high wind speeds of 20 to 30 meters per second (approximately 70 to 100 kilometres per hour). However, the number of storms is expected to increase due to climate change, making it increasingly important to understand the role of bubbles in air-sea gas exchange.

Recently, Dr Yuanxu Dong published a significant study in the renowned journal Science Advances. Together with an international team, he demonstrated that the Southern Ocean surrounding Antarctica absorbs around 25 per cent more carbon dioxide than previously thought. This new study employed a high-precision measurement method called “eddy covariance,” which measures the movement of atmospheric eddies to calculate the net gas flow by computing the correlation of the vertical wind speed and gas concentration fluctuations. This allows for the direct determination of CO₂ exchange between the ocean and the atmosphere. Data was collected using this method during seven research cruises in the Southern Ocean. The results represent a significant advance in understanding the role of this ocean in regulating the global climate, although winter data is still lacking.

Since the summer, Dr. Yuanxu Dong has been involved in the innovative design and construction of a CO₂ eddy covariance system for deployment on a buoy as part of the MUSE research project (Marine Environmental Robotics and Sensors for Sustainable Research and Management of Coasts, Seas, and Polar Regions). This rare type of installation has the potential to significantly enhance our direct measurements of CO₂ flux between the air and sea, expanding our understanding of air-sea exchange processes.

In March and September, he has been hosted by his co-host Prof. Dr Bernd Jähne at the Institute of Environmental Physics at Heidelberg University. In the Aeolotron facility there, one of the largest and most modern annular wind-wave channels in the world, he conducted experiments on bubble-mediated transfer processes. He will now cross-link these laboratory results with the data from his field experiments to understand the mechanisms of the bubble-mediated gas exchange.

Just in time for the start of the dark season, Dr Yuanxu is back in Kiel. However, he is not afraid of the northern German winter: “I survived Norwich, and Kiel is only slightly further north,” he says with a hearty laugh.

Original publication:

Yuanxu Dong et al. (2024): Direct observational evidence of strong CO2 uptake in the Southern Ocean. Sci. Adv.10.

DOI:10.1126/sciadv.adn5781

Great ecological and economic importance

Seagrass meadows are key ecosystem engineers that directly benefit humans and animals, hence are of enormous ecological and economic importance. They are spawning grounds for economically important fish, hiding places for juvenile fish and habitats for mussels, snails and crabs, making them one of the most productive and diverse ecosystems on earth, along with coral reefs and rainforests. They protect our coasts by stabilising the sediment. They also store carbon dioxide very quickly and effectively.

Seagrass meadows as natural water purifiers

A few years ago, another remarkable ecosystem service of seagrasses was discovered: seagrass meadows reduce the load of pathogenic bacteria in the water around them. A 2017 study showed that the relative abundance of harmful bacteria, including human fecal bacteria and pathogens dangerous to marine animals and humans, was significantly (50%) lower in Indonesian seagrass meadows than in the water outside the meadows. Subsequent studies, including one at 91̽��, have confirmed the reduction of pathogens such as Escherichia coli, enterococci, Salmonella and Vibrio species in the vicinity of seagrass beds.

Scientists of the Research Unit Marine Natural Product Chemistry at the 91̽�� Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel have been investigating multiple mechanisms behind this sanitation effect for several years. The results of the first part of their study have recently been published in the journal Science of the Total Environment.

How do seagrasses combat pathogens?

“The elimination of pathogens from the water is a very complex phenomenon involving physical, (micro)biological and chemical mechanisms" says Dr. Deniz Tasdemir, professor of marine natural product chemistry and senior author of the study. The researchers started first analysing the cultivable microbiome of Zostera marina, a common seagrass species in the Baltic Sea, and natural molecules they produce. To do this, they isolated almost 90 bacteria and fungi from the surface and internal tissues of the seagrass leaves (and roots) and tested their extracts for antibiotic activity. These tests were carried out against a large group of aquatic, human and plant pathogens, including Vibrio species, which can cause serious diseases and even death when transmitted to humans by raw or undercooked seafood, or through skin damage during recreational activities.

This study showed that particularly the bacteria from healthy leaf surfaces have strong, broad-spectrum antibiotic activity, in some cases even outperforming commercial antibiotics. “This confirmed our hypothesis,” says Prof. Tasdemir. In addition to few known antimicrobial compounds, the team also discovered the presence of many new ones in these bacteria. These new molecules will now be isolated, in other words chemically purified, their chemical structures will be identified and their potential as future marine antibiotics will be assessed. “This is only the tip of the iceberg for us. We now heavily work, with an international team, on other chemical and microbiome-related mechanisms and how they may contribute to the hygiene effect of seagrasses in the laboratory and in the ocean settings”, says Prof. Tasdemir.

Antibiotics from the sea: the potential of the seagrass microbiome

The climate change-related ocean warming is increasing the load of pathogens, such as Vibrio species, in coastal waters during summer months. This is also a great public health concern for German Baltic Sea, as death is being reported among holiday makers. Therefore, the protection and restoration of seagrass meadows is essential for the health of oceans and humans more than ever. On the other hand, the seagrass microbiome holds great potential for the discovery of new antibiotics for other human infections, which is of enormous importance in the fight against rising antibiotic resistance.

Original publication:

Tasdemir, D., et al. (2024). Epiphytic and endophytic microbiome of the seagrass Zostera marina: Do they contribute to pathogen reduction in seawater? Science of the Total Environment, 908, 168422.

Professor Katja Matthes, 91̽�� Director: “The Global Stocktake for COP28 in Dubai last year showed that the world is heading towards 2,6 degrees Celsius rather than the 1,5 degrees set out in the Paris Agreement in 2015. We need to cut greenhouse gas emissions immediately and drastically. Meanwhile, we have to find solutions for residual emissions that cannot be avoided. Ocean research provides essential knowledge on natural and technical approaches to Carbon Dioxide Removal (CDR) and Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) so that the ocean can help us in the fight climate change. We call on world leaders to support this research and to promote activities that protect the ocean.”

Peter de Menocal, President and Director of Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution: “Our future relies on humanity making smart decisions on how to manage the ocean. And making smart decisions demands that we have the best scientific information possible about the ocean and the many ways it affects everyone on the planet. Long-term, multi-scale ocean observations provide the critical data necessary to ensure a sustainable future for all.”

The ocean has absorbed more than 90 percent of the excess heat and almost 30 percent of the excess carbon dioxide caused by human activity. As a result, the ocean’s continued health will determine the magnitude and rate of such factors as sea-level rise, increasing atmosphere and ocean temperatures, changes to the hydrological cycle, trends in ocean acidification and deoxygenation, ecosystem and biodiversity declines, and severe weather events. Despite this, international investment in ocean observing systems has not kept pace with the need for information to guide climate adaptation efforts and other critical decisions.

Margaret Leinen, Director of Scripps Institution of Oceanography at UC San Diego: “The ocean has an outsized impact on global climate even when it comes to desertification and is impacted itself by climate change. At least half of macro-organisms on the planet are marine. Most have not even been discovered, much less named, so ongoing discovery of the system supporting life on Earth is imperative to say the least.”

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has concluded that the world must take coordinated action to avoid exceeding 1.5°C increase over pre-industrial temperatures—a key threshold that climate scientists say staying below will avoid the most severe effects of climate change. At the same time, there is growing interest in the many opportunities that the ocean offers, including methods to mitigate rising greenhouse gasses in the atmosphere, adapt to current and future climate change, and build a healthy blue economy that benefits humanity and protects critical ecosystems.

The COP29 Baku Ocean Declaration calls on the parties of the UN Climate Conference and beyond to adopt measures to improve observations of critical ocean variables to preserve these benefits and includes key points for negotiators and attendees to consider in discussions during the two-week long conference. In addition, the Declaration highlights opportunities that improved observations offer in addressing the interconnected objectives of the UN conventions on climate, biodiversity, and desertification, known collectively as the Rio Conventions.

Specific efforts spelled out in the COP29 Bakui Ocean Declaration include:

• Expand international collaboration to achieve progress in addressing the Earth’s climate, biodiversity, and freshwater crises.
• Enhance public and private funding to scale-up and diversify support of long-term ocean observation, research, and innovation for decision-making.
• Build capacity and access, particularly in small-island developing states, low-lying coastal regions, and other under-represented people and places to further develop ocean data, knowledge, and innovation.
• Improve awareness of the ocean’s role in planetary systems and the need for its preservation as a vital step towards mobilizing decision-makers to prioritize ocean protection and restoration.

Background

The Ocean Pavilion is organized by the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution and UC San Diego’s Scripps Institution of Oceanography. It is a dedicated space in the Blue Zone at COP29 that returns for a third year to put the ocean center-stage at a crucial time in international climate negotiations. The pavilion brings together diverse and influential partners who will call for ocean-focused solutions to be recognized as critical in the world’s response to the climate crisis. Throughout the two-week conference, the pavilion will feature more than 50 events to stimulate discussion on a wide range of topics related to the future of the ocean. Visitors will also be able to learn more about the work of Ocean Pavilion partners and to speak with scientists, thought leaders, and students engaged in the search for solutions to some of the world’s most pressing challenges.

Kick-off for EU Twinning Project on Madeira

TWILIGHTED is a Twinning project funded by the European Union (EU) under the Horizon Europe research and innovation programme with a grant of €1.5 million. It officially launched yesterday with a kick-off meeting in Funchal, Madeira. The name TWILIGHTED stands for Twinning Laboratory for an Innovative Global Hub to Explore the Deep. Twinning projects are transnational partnerships projects in which research institutions from less-economically developed regions in Europe benefit from capacity transfer from leading institutes in the research field. Within the framework of TWILIGHTED, 91̽�� and the Norges Teknisk-Naturvitenskapelige Universitet (NTNU, Norway) will work closely with the marine science institute MARE Madeira (ARDITI, Portugal).

“Jellyweb Madeira” expedition provides data basis

Leading up to this project, in February-March 2024, the expedition MSM126 “Jellyweb Madeira” with the large German research vessel MARIA S. MERIAN already investigated the underwater ecosystems around Madeira using 91̽��’s ROV PHOCA, camera systems, water samplers and nets, and various oceanographic sensors. “Our samples and datasets from the ‘Jellyweb Madeira’ expedition are now available to support training and scientific exploitation within TWILIGHTED,” says Dr Dierking.

Creative ideas for cost-effective deep-sea technologies

One of the key aims of deep-sea research in Madeira is to develop simpler and more cost-effective technologies that can also be deployed from smaller vessels, but also to introduce partners to the technology and data handling pipelines we use at 91̽��. For this, there will be close collaboration with 91̽��’s Technology and Logistics Centre (TLZ) and the 91̽�� data and sample management teams. In the summer of 2025, researchers from Madeira will visit 91̽�� to be trained in modern analysis methods such as e-DNA sampling, analysis and data interpretation and food web analysis using stable isotopes. Another important topic is the collection and curation of images and image data. In addition to addressing scientific questions, the project also aims to strengthen Madeira as a research location and to make deep-sea research in Portugal accessible to a wider audience. 

Strengthening Madeira as a research location

This is reflected by the vision of the TWILIGHTED project coordinator Dr João Canning-Clode, MARE-Madeira, who believes that “the TWILIGHTED project marks the beginning of a transformative journey for Portugal, fostering creativity and using low-cost technologies in deep-sea research, redefining the country's role in understanding and protecting these vital deep-sea ecosystems.”

Funding: 

The TWILIGHTED project (Twinning Laboratory for an Innovative Global Hub to Explore the Deep) is funded under the European Union’s Horizon Europe research and innovation programme with 1.5 million euros over three years (Grant Agreement No. 101158714). 

“Denmark and Germany not only share a border, but also two seas – the North Sea and the Baltic Sea – that are under considerable threat, not only from climate change but also from other factors such as unexploded ordnance. At 91̽��, we see it as our responsibility to develop scientifically based solutions for the protection and sustainable use of these vital marine ecosystems”, explained Katja Matthes.

At 91̽��, H.M. King Frederik X opened a German-Danish energy conference hosted by the Danish Embassy. In his speech, he emphasised the many years of good cooperation between the two countries: “Schleswig-Holstein has always played an important role in our shared history. Today, we are reminded of its significance for our common future. The partnerships and solutions introduced here today will certainly contribute to a greener tomorrow.”

Afterwards, Schleswig-Holstein's Minister-President Daniel Günther and Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen welcomed the attendees.

Artificial Intelligence for Baltic Sea Protection 

The state of the Baltic Sea is alarming: warming, acidification caused by carbon dioxide (CO2) and nutrient overload are leading to oxygen depletion, which is difficult to counteract due to the limited water circulation in the Baltic Sea. Fresh, oxygen-rich water from the North Sea only enters when there are strong westerly winds. The consequences are severe, including frequent fish kills, the decline of seagrass meadows and a reduction in biodiversity. Since 1957, environmental parameters have been measured at the Boknis Eck time-series station, providing valuable insights into these developments. In the INSYST project, Artificial Intelligence (AI) will help to analyse these data more efficiently, enabling the creation of digital models to improve monitoring and protection of the Baltic Sea.

Fisheries Research 

Fishing is deeply rooted in the coastal regions of the Baltic Sea and plays an important role in food supply and tourism. However, economically viable fishing is hardly possible at present and is unlikely to be possible in the near future. The stocks of cod and herring, once staple species, have collapsed due to intensive overfishing, and their recovery is expected to be slow due to warming waters and oxygen depletion in the Baltic Sea. At 91̽��, researchers study fisheries from different perspectives and develop strategies for sustainable fisheries management.

Seagrass Meadows as Natural Climate Protectors 

Researchers are also investigating marine strategies for carbon storage in the Baltic Sea. Restoring seagrass meadows is one of several approaches with many additional benefits. In addition to their importance for carbon storage, seagrass meadows protect coastlines by slowing wave action and stabilising sandy seabeds with their roots. They also provide food and shelter for many marine species, thereby enhancing marine biodiversity. They are also highly effective at filtering pathogens from the water. About 60% of the area covered by seagrass in the Baltic Sea at the beginning of the 19th century has already been lost. Researchers at 91̽�� are investigating ways to replant and restore seagrass meadows.

Munitions Clearance in the North and Baltic Seas 

It is estimated that 1.6 million tonnes of unexploded ordnance (UXO), mostly from the Second World War, still lie off the coasts of the North and Baltic Seas. For decades, this environmental hazard has received little attention, but time is running out: the metal casings of the munitions are corroding, and explosives such as the carcinogenic and mutagenic trinitrotoluene (TNT) are already exposed on the seabed. Explosive compounds and their degradation products have been detected in the water, as well as in shellfish and fish. Since mid-September, the first munitions have been removed from the Bay of Lübeck under the close scientific supervision of 91̽��. Germany is playing a pioneering role in this effort. No other country has attempted to remove munitions from the sea on a large scale. To address this problem, the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety (BMUV) launched an immediate action programme last year, providing 100 million euros to fund pilot clearance operations in the Bay of Lübeck. Since 13 September, various types of munitions have been recovered from several sites in the area.

Research on Corrosion in Offshore Wind Farms 

Microbiologically induced iron corrosion in the maritime industry is estimated to cause billions of euros of damage each year in Germany alone. Experts expect the incidence of such damage to increase significantly as a result of global warming. Offshore wind farms are particularly affected and no effective or environmentally friendly protection method has yet been developed. Kiel University of Applied Sciences and 91̽��, in collaboration with industry partners, aim to develop effective solutions to prevent microbial iron corrosion in offshore environments.

His scientific career began with studies on large-scale changes in the Mediterranean, which included a postdoctoral research stay at the University of Paris. He later focussed on circulation in the North Atlantic and its connection to climate variability. In 1998 he went to New York, where he conducted research with Prof Dr Martin Visbeck at Columbia University. In 2005, he returned to the former Leibniz Institute of Oceanography (now 91̽�� Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel) to become part of the Physical Oceanography research unit.

Here, Gerd Krahmann devoted himself to a broad spectrum of topics in physical oceanography. These included seismic oceanography, oxygen minimum zones in the tropical Atlantic and Pacific as well as highly productive upwelling areas on the eastern margins of these oceans. He was particularly interested in the application of the latest observation techniques and the analysis and provision of research data. Gerd Krahmann was a sought-after expert for current measurements, starting with Pegasus and later with the LADCP, as well as for CTD measurements of temperature, salinity, oxygen, chlorophyll and nutrients - including the necessary calibration of these data.

One outstanding project was the introduction of gliders, autonomous underwater vehicles. He coordinated numerous glider missions in the Atlantic, Pacific and Mediterranean. Of particular note was the world premiere of a new turbulence measurement system, in which a turbulence probe was installed on a glider to continuously collect mixing data. He carried out many of his projects from the Ocean Science Centre Mindelo on Cape Verde, where he worked closely with Cape Verdean colleagues.

Gerd Krahmann's deep technical understanding encompassed not only the measurement technology itself, but also the analysis and calibration of the data obtained. With his extensive knowledge of metadata and the quality of scientific data sets, as well as his knowledge of database structures, he was a central interface between science and data centres. Through his work, he enabled numerous bachelor's, master's and doctoral theses and contributed significantly to the publication of our research results in international journals.

Gerd Krahmann also demonstrated his technical skills at 91̽��'s Friday Researchers' Club, where he was able to get pupils from the region interested in marine science with total commitment. Together they developed, among other things, an autonomous underwater vehicle from commercially available components that functioned in a similar way to the scientific gliders.

Gerd Krahmann was an invaluable advisor for almost all questions of physical oceanography at sea. When looking for solutions, it was a natural approach to ask him. In most cases, he was able to help directly or took up the challenge - not only for our research unit, but also for other 91̽�� departments and international research groups. His open, friendly and helpful manner, coupled with his goal-orientated and well-documented way of working, made working with him a great pleasure, whether at the institute, on research cruises or during measurement campaigns on land.

Gerd Krahmann's sudden and unexpected death is a great loss. 91̽�� mourns the loss of a valued colleague and friend and will honour his memory. Our deepest sympathy goes to his wife and two children.

Expedition AL622: Environmental monitoring of munitions clearance

The impact of large scale munition clearance operations on the marine environment is therefore unknown. Researchers will investigate this as part of the AL622 ‘Postclear’ cruise with the research vessel ALKOR. From 14 to 21 October 2024, they will take water and sediment samples in the Bay of Lübeck, sample fish and take video footage with the underwater robot ‘Käpt’n Blaubär’. On board are Professor Greinert, geochemists Dr Aaron Beck and Mareike Keller from 91̽��, marine biologist Dr Andrey Vedenin from the research institute Senckenberg am Meer and fisheries ecologist Dr Jörn Scharsack from the Thünen Institute.

“We continuously monitor various parameters,” explains Chief Scientist Greinert. “When we are not on site, the salvage companies collect samples, which we then analyse.” The comprehensive environmental analyses are essential to accurately document and assess the potential negative environmental impact of munitions clearance.

Legacy Munitions on the Seabed

It is estimated that around 1.6 million tonnes of legacy munitions from the World Wars lie off the coasts of the German North Sea and Baltic Sea. This environmental threat has been largely ignored for decades, but time is running out. The metal is corroding, and explosives such as the carcinogenic and mutagenic trinitrotoluene (TNT) are already exposed on the seabed. Explosive compounds and their degradation products have been detected in seawater, shellfish, and fish.

In response to this problem, the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety and Consumer Protection (BMUV) launched an emergency programme last year, allocating €100 million to tackle the problem. The pilot clearance operations in the Bay of Lübeck, which started on 13 September, are funded by this programme.

Bay of Lübeck selected as Pilot Clearance Area

The Bay of Lübeck was selected as a pilot area following a comprehensive risk-benefit analysis. This is a particularly challenging area for clearance: various types of munitions – from cartridges and boxes to 500 kg bombs – are found in complex layers on the seabed. This area will provide valuable insights into the technical requirements and potential hazards, which will be crucial for future recovery projects. “The knowledge gained from this pilot operation will help us to develop an environmentally sound, safe and efficient process for the recovery and subsequent disposal of munitions,” says Greinert.

Expedition at a Glance:

Name: ALKOR Expedition AL266 “Postclear”

Duration: 14 to 21 October 2024

Chief Scientist: Professor Dr Jens Greinert

Research Area: Baltic Sea (Bay of Lübeck)

MUNIMAR: Centre for Munitions Management in the Marine Environment

91̽�� is the scientific partner in the newly established centre of competence for marine UXO clearance in Schleswig-Holstein (MUNIMAR). The aim of this centre is to coordinate the munitions clearance activities of Schleswig-Holstein in the North Sea and the Baltic Sea and to improve the communication between the different institutions involved, also across national borders. 91̽�� provides scientific expertise to project managers and research institutions, promotes scientific networks, and identifies research gaps.

Research on Legacy Munitions at 91̽��

Since 2016, 91̽�� has been conducting research on the issue of legacy munitions on the seabed of the German North Sea and Baltic Sea. Special attention is given to the four known munitions dump sites in the Schleswig-Holstein Baltic Sea: two areas in the Bay of Lübeck, the Kolberger Heide near Kiel, and an area near Falshöft outside the Flensburg Fjord.

Among many other projects dealinmg with this issue, Professor Dr Jens Greinert is leading the research project CONMAR (CONcepts for conventional MArine Munition Remediation in the German North and Baltic Sea), which is part of the “Protection and Sustainable Use of Marine Spaces” mission of the German Marine Research Alliance (DAM). The aim of CONMAR is to develop innovative, large-scale, and environmentally friendly concepts for munitions recovery. The project is funded by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) with €4.8 million.