Press Releases
Smoke on the Water – Scientists from Rostock and Prague trace ship emissions over and in the Baltic Sea
Ship exhausts generated over the heavily trafficked Baltic Sea affect the marine environment and human health. Within the “PlumeBaSe”* project, researchers from the IOW, the University of Rostock and the Charles University in Prague are now investigating how the emitted pollutants spread above and in the sea, how they change in the air and in the water, and what can be inferred from this for improved exhaust gas cleaning.
Microplastic pollution in the Northeast Atlantic: First long-term record from deep water layers of the open ocean
Scientists from the IOW for the first time analysed a long-term sample series on microplastic pollution in the Northeast Atlantic from 2000 m water depth with respect to number, size, mass, material and possible origin of the particles. Samples were collected between 2003 – 2015 in the Madeira Basin by a sediment trap. Plastic type and particle amount varied widely, but accounted for up to 8% of total particle flux. The most common plastic materials were polyethylene and PVC.
“Research at the highest level” – The Björn Carlson Baltic Sea Prize has been awarded to IOW researcher Maren Voß
The Björn Carlson Baltic Sea Prize of the Björn Carlson Baltic Sea Foundation was awarded to Maren Voß from the IOW in Stockholm today. The prize is endowed with 3 million Swedish kronor. The foundation honoured the scientist’s groundbreaking research on marine nitrogen cycles in the Baltic Sea.
Comprehensive scientific assessment for the Baltic Sea region at international Baltic Earth Conference
From May 30 to June 3, the 4th Baltic Earth Conference will take place in Jastarnia on Hel peninsula, Poland. The focus is on a comprehensive scientific assessment of the Baltic Sea region, especially with regard to the effects of climate change. The conference is jointly organized by the International Baltic Earth Secretariat at Helmholtz-Zentrum Hereon, the Leibniz Institute of Baltic Sea Research Warnemünde (IOW), and the Institute of Oceanology at Polish Academy of Sciences, Sopot.
How close is the tipping point? New studies on the Atlantic current system
With a new publication in the scientific journal Nature Climate Change, climate researchers from Kiel and Warnemünde once again contribute to the understanding of changes in the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC) – also known as the “Gulf Stream System”. It is important both for the global climate as well as for climate events in Europe. The authors focus on the question, whether human-induced climate change is already slowing down this global oceanic circulation. According to the study, natural variations are still dominant.
» Read more … How close is the tipping point? New studies on the Atlantic current system
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