Press Releases
Climate change promotes the spreading of vibrios: IOW study reveals global distribution patterns
Vibrio vulnificus, a bacterium that is potentially very dangerous to humans, is a natural component of marine plankton. The IOW has now presented the first comprehensive analysis of its global distribution. It shows that the pathogen occurs in almost all coastal regions of the world, but is more prevalent at comparatively high water temperatures, moderate salinity levels, and in decaying algal blooms. The study also provides a predictive model that can be used to estimate future climate change-induced changes in the distribution of vibrios.
Sediment cores from the Southeast Pacific as an 8-million-year-old climate archive: Temperature influences global ocean currents
Under the lead of the IOW, a sediment core from the Southeast Pacific was examined that reflects the last 8 million years of Earth's history. The study shows that the intensity of the Antarctic Circumpolar Current, which connects the world’s three major oceans, is particularly sensitive to temperature changes, which in turn significantly influences the exchange of CO2 between the ocean and the atmosphere.
How does light change in the sea? European research initiative investigates changing underwater light conditions
Today, the two-day kick-off meeting for the international “Joint Action on Changing Marine Lightscapes” launched by JPI Oceans started in Hamburg with more than 50 participating researchers. The initiative aims at a better understanding of changing light conditions in the ocean and how this impacts marine ecosystems. Two projects are taking up work under the umbrella of a joint knowledge hub. The ISOLUME project coordinated by the IOW focuses primarily on ocean darkening; the ALANIS project, led by the Helmholtz-Zentrum Hereon, mainly addresses nocturnal light pollution.
Saltwater intrusion threatens water supplies from tidal rivers worldwide
Worldwide, water obtained from tidal rivers for human use is threatened by saltwater intrusion. This is the result of a recent study by an international research team, in which the Leibniz Institute for Baltic Sea Research Warnemünde (IOW) also participated. The main causes are the effects of climate change, such as prolonged periods of drought and sea level rise.
» Read more … Saltwater intrusion threatens water supplies from tidal rivers worldwide
Construction start of a new IOW facility for extending the sediment core repository and other storage capacities
The construction of a new storage facility for the IOW began today with the traditional ground-breaking ceremony in Rostock’s fishing harbour. The building will provide additional capacity for equipment storage and climate-controlled sediment core storage as well as additional workshop space. The construction project has a total volume of around 2.44 million euros and is being realised with funds from the federal and state governments.
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