New book from IOW experts: “Carbon dioxide glasses” sharpen view on the state of the Baltic Sea
Bernd Schneider and Jens Müller from IOW recently published a book on the biogeochemistry of the Baltic Sea. What is special is its novel perspective: The marine chemists use investigations into the marine CO2 cycle to obtain comprehensive and highly detailed analyses of marine biogeochemical processes. This new concept strikes new paths towards an efficient ecological monitoring of the sea.
Rapid mid-Holocene warming triggered the onset of a farming society in Northern Europe
In a recently published article in the renowned journal Scientific Reports, IOW scientists present the outcome of detailed studies on the temperature development during the Holocene in the Baltic region which they conducted together with an international team of geologists, geochemists, archaeologists and fishery biologists. The resulting temperature record reveals explanations for simultaneously occurring human demographic and cultural changes.
A new indicator for marine ecosystem changes: the diatom/dinoflagellate index
Marine biologist from Warnemünde presents indicator for the state of foodwebs in the Baltic Sea on the basis of long-term data series on the composition of spring blooms
New BMBF funded project MicroCatch_Balt launched
Where does all the plastic come from? The new project "MicroCatch_Balt" funded by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research will investigate the sources of plastic particles within the catchment area of the Baltic Sea by taking the Warnow river catchment basin as an example.
Anja and Michael Zettler are the authors of the recently published 83th volume of book series “Die Tierwelt Deutschlands” (“Fauna of Germany”). The two IOW macrozoobenthos experts complemented the extensive encyclopaedia, which was established in 1925, with an English-language monograph on Baltic Sea amphipods. It covers a total of 243 species, which are morphologically characterised down to the last detail, and also contains notes on their ecology and behaviour. The book therefore is a valuable tool for the monitoring of indicator species of this group.
It is the biggest “fare” for exchanging scientific findings in the field of Baltic Sea research: Every second year, scientists from all littoral states and beyond meet under the umbrella of the Baltic Sea Science Congress (BSSC) in order to present their new research results. This year, the BSSC is hosted by the Leibniz Institute for Baltic Sea Research Warnemünde and the University of Rostock.
Recognizing patterns within the whirling biology of coastal seas
Biological long-term data series are valuable tools when it comes to identifying the human impact on ecosystems or to recognizing climate driven regime shifts. However, in coastal waters, where the freshwater inflow together with weather events and local currents leads to rapidly changing values in salinity, temperature and oxygen, their informative value is limited. The reason is that the marine communities primarily respond to these fast environmental changes, which more or less mask possible responses to any other impact factors. Yet, a group of scientists from Warnemünde has now succeeded in identifying further influences by means of specialized statistical approaches.
Tracking down the greenhouse gases methane & Co: IOW heads a method standardization expedition
On October 15, 2016, an international research team under the lead of IOW heads out on the research vessel ELISABETH MANN BORGESE for a one-week cruise on the Baltic Sea. The goal of the 12 scientists from Germany, China, the UK, and the USA is to prepare the road for measuring the marine emissions of the greenhouse gases methane and nitrous oxide worldwide with highly precise and comparable methods. Therefore six measuring systems will participate in an on-board intercalibration campaign and the results will be communicated as recommendations to the SCOR.
Better Career Opportunities for Women in Marine Research
The European Union is funding the project “Baltic Gender” with 2.2 Million Euros
In many areas of marine research men and women are now working together as equals. However, women are still under-represented in leadership positions. Partners from eight scientific institutions in five countries around the Baltic Sea will be working together in the project "Baltic Gender" trying to reduce gender inequalities in marine sciences. The project is coordinated by the GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel and funded by the European Union with 2.2 Million Euros.
The challenges of phosphorus — International IPW8 Conference in Rostock identifies solutions
From September 12 to 16, 2016, the 8th International Phos-phorus Workshop (IPW8), entitled "Phosphorus 2020: Chal-lenges for synthesis, agriculture, and ecosystems", took place in Rostock. 230 scientists from around the world discussed possible solutions arising from their latest research regarding the responsible use of this finite raw material. The aim is to avoid serious damage to the environment, such as the eutrophication of water bodies, and to ensure that, through its sustainable use, there will be enough phosphorus to maintain the world's food supply in the future.