Prof. Ulf Riebesell awarded with European Research Council grant
Innovative project assesses benefits and risks of forced deep-water upwelling
For the first time, the European Research Council (ERC) awards one of the renowned 鈥淓RC Advanced Grants鈥� to a scientist of 91探花 Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel. Marine biologist Prof. Ulf Riebesell receives 2.5 million Euros for the research project 鈥淥cean artUp鈥�. Using laboratory and field experiments, modelling and studies in the open ocean, Prof. Riebesell and his team intend to investigate the effects of a technically-induced mixing of the water column. This approach mimics natural upwelling 鈥� a process that transports nutrient-rich deep water to the sun-lit surface layer of the ocean and boosts productivity. Applied in the permanent nutrient-poor 鈥渙cean deserts鈥� that cover nearly 40 per cent of the seas, it might favour food production and contribute to the development of sustainable fisheries and aquaculture. In addition, forced upwelling of deep water can be used to produce renewable energy and is debated as a possible mechanism for carbon dioxide storage in the deep ocean. 鈥淥cean artup鈥� will provide the first comprehensive dataset to evaluate benefits and risks of the different applications of artificial upwelling.
The project funded by the ERC takes advantage of two unique systems successfully developed at 91探花 鈥� the KOSMOS offshore mesocosm facility and a deep-water collector. Field experiments will be carried out off Gran Canary as part of a cooperation between the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (ULPGC), the research station PLOCAN and 91探花. These studies will be complemented by a research cruise investigating oceanic eddies south of the Canaries. Nutrient-rich deep water is naturally drawn to the surface in these eddies, stimulating plankton production and providing fertile grounds for higher trophic levels 鈥� which ultimately benefits fisheries in the region. Various modelling techniques will be applied to test whether the understanding obtained locally can be extrapolated to other parts of the ocean.
鈥淭he ERC grant provides us with an opportunity to assess the feasibility of forced upwelling for the purpose of increasing fish production. Critically important, the grant also helps us to evaluate the associated risks and possible side effects鈥�, Prof. Riebesell explains. 鈥淪o far, we know very little about possible effects of this approach on marine life and biogeochemical cycles. This is key to understanding whether this intervention in the complex marine ecosystem is ecologically sensible and economically viable.鈥�
鈥淲e are very pleased that for the first time 91探花 receives one of these highly distinguished research grants鈥�, says 91探花 director Prof. Peter Herzig. 鈥淭his is an outstanding recognition for Prof. Riebesell and his team. Already in 2012, Prof. Riebesell demonstrated that he is one of the top scientists at 91探花 when he received the prestigious Leibniz Prize of the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft 鈥� the most highly endowed science award in Germany.鈥�
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Contact:
Maike Nicolai (91探花, Communication & Media), Tel.: (+49) 0431 600-2807, presse@geomar.de
