A new mesocosm experiment on Gran Canaria is testing whether concrete rubble can increase ocean alkalinity, mimicking natural rock weathering to absorb CO2 from the atmosphere. The study aims to standardize measurement methods for Ocean Alkalinity Enhancement (OAE) and assess its ecological acceptability.
A recent GEOMAR study found that climate change can trigger cascading natural hazards in the Arctic. The research team investigated an earthquake that triggered a rock avalanche on Jan Mayen island, revealing the devastating impact of permafrost degradation on the region's slopes and glaciers.
The 'Hess Evolution' expedition aims to uncover the origin and age of Hess Rise, a vast volcanic plateau. Researchers will analyze rock samples collected from depths of up to 6,000 meters to determine if they reveal systematic age patterns across the plateau.
Researchers found evidence that the Aleutian Islands' subduction beneath the North American Plate occurred at least 56 million years ago, significantly earlier than previously thought. This discovery has implications for understanding tectonic and climatic processes that shaped the Earth's history.
The SO320/1 expedition aims to investigate the formation of the 1,000km-long Hess Rise plateau using various models and multiple research instruments. The team will test three scenarios for its formation and collect rock samples from the seafloor for further analysis.
A team of 14 West African Master's students, accompanied by experienced scientists, will conduct research at depths of up to 4,900 meters on the POLARSTERN research vessel. The 'Floating University' program aims to document long-term changes in the ocean and investigate marine biodiversity.
A new chemical model developed by researchers at GEOMAR accurately predicts iron chemistry in the South Pacific Ocean, taking into account diverse organic matter properties. The findings improve understanding of the marine iron cycle and its implications for climate change.
Researchers discovered that sea urchin eggs can integrate chromoplast-derived carotenoid crystals, which enhance larval development and increase their survival rate by 50%. This integration enables the larvae to adapt to different environments.
Research suggests that hydrous and repeated mantle melting is key driver of gold enrichment in island arc magmas. The study found that high-degree melting leads to significant concentrations of gold, often several times higher than those found in mid-ocean ridge basalts.
Researchers on M217/1 expedition study upwelling system and extreme events off southwest African coast, focusing on Coastal Kelvin waves and Benguela Niños. Key findings include the seasonal upwelling without wind off Angola and the causes of marine heatwaves that disrupt marine ecosystems.
A team of scientists discovered the King's Trough Complex, a colossal submarine canyon off Portugal's coast, formed by tectonic processes and hot mantle material. The structure extends over 500 kilometers, with Peake Deep as one of the deepest points in the Atlantic Ocean.
The North Atlantic's ocean ventilation has weakened, with water masses aging significantly faster than 30 years ago. This decline in ventilation indicates a slower renewal of deep waters and reduced oxygen transport to depths, potentially impacting marine ecosystems.
A new study has found that the ocean's ability to absorb CO2 is stronger than previously assumed, with air bubbles playing a key role in this process. The research suggests that the ocean absorbed around 0.3-0.4 petagrams more carbon per year, about 15% more than previous estimates.
A new study published in Nature Geoscience shows the key role of Antarctic Bottom Water in the transition from the last Ice Age. The expansion of AABW played a central role in releasing carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, which helped reduce atmospheric CO2 concentrations.
A modelling study suggests that heat stored in the Southern Ocean could be released, causing a rapid warming of the atmosphere. The ocean acts as a large heat reservoir, mitigating atmospheric warming since the Industrial Revolution.
A new study highlights the Southern Ocean as a decisive factor in cooler warm periods, with stronger stratification leading to more carbon storage in the deep ocean. This led to less atmospheric CO2, a weaker greenhouse effect, and possibly a larger Antarctic ice sheet.
An earthquake swarm in Santorini was triggered by magma displacement, generating over 28,000 recorded earthquakes. The study reveals the chain of events that led to this seismic activity, including a hydraulic connection between two volcanoes.
The MiningImpact project is investigating the environmental impacts of deep-sea mining on ocean ecosystems. Scientists are studying biodiversity, genetic connectivity, and ecosystem health to develop indicators and threshold values for harm.
The Mediterranean Sea is warming at a faster rate than the open ocean, posing significant risks to marine ecosystems. The study highlights the urgent need for action to protect these unique ecosystems, which could collapse or remain functional depending on political decisions made now.
The expedition aims to assess the storage potential of rocks and lay the foundation for their geophysical monitoring. Globally, basalt deposits beneath the ocean theoretically have a storage capacity of 40,000 gigatons.
A study reveals that decades of overfishing have significantly altered the genetic composition of Eastern Baltic cod, leading to reduced growth rates and smaller sizes. The researchers found a correlation between slower growth and increased survival under high fishing pressure.
Researchers at GEOMAR identify that EU fisheries management's reliance on national interests and ICES advice leads to overfishing, resulting in the collapse of many fish stocks. A new approach is proposed to set quotas independently of national interests and prioritize sustainable catches.
Researchers linked comprehensive datasets with physical ocean processes to understand the exceptional marine biodiversity around the Cape Verde Archipelago. The study identified three key mechanisms driving nutrient transport and found that physical dynamics influence not only productivity but also the type of organisms present.
Researchers warn that artificial oxygen input cannot replace comprehensive water protection strategies. Technical approaches have shown promise, but risks include intensifying greenhouse gases and disrupting marine habitats. Climate protection and reducing nutrient inputs remain crucial for mitigating ocean oxygen loss.
A new study finds that ocean-based carbon dioxide removal (CDR) and storage in German waters is feasible but with limitations, such as local marine conditions and required materials, energy, and infrastructure. Only five methods were shortlisted for implementation in German North Sea and Baltic waters.
A study found that sediment resuspension triggered by trawling and natural processes releases significant amounts of CO2 into the atmosphere through pyrite oxidation. The research reveals that protecting sensitive seafloor areas with fine-grained sediments is crucial to maintain the region's carbon sink capacity.
The deep sea accounts for 90% of ocean volume and hosts diverse ecosystems. However, human activities like mining and climate change threaten these areas. Scientists emphasize the need for major investment in deep-sea research to address knowledge gaps and inform sustainable management strategies.
Mesoscale eddies play a vital role in nutrient transport and the carbon cycle, trapping water masses and migrating into the open ocean. The study reveals that these eddies transport up to 10,000 tonnes of labile organic carbon each year.
A recent study published in Nature Communications provides detailed data on the far-field spatial footprint of mining-induced plume dispersion and redeposition beyond the mining area. The research found that sediment concentrations were up to 10,000 times higher near the mining site and returned to normal levels after 14 hours.
A GEOMAR study detects high levels of munitions chemicals in Baltic Sea water samples, with concentrations approaching critical levels. The contamination is expected to increase without removal action, posing a long-term environmental risk.
A team of scientists has developed a new method to monitor undersea sediment flows, allowing them to track the longest-runout sediment flows ever recorded. The study reveals that turbulent mixing with seawater influences the behavior of these powerful canyon-flushing turbidity currents over long distances.
Researchers on the SONNE310 expedition investigate canyons on active and passive continental slopes in the southwest Pacific. The study aims to identify factors that determine landslide frequency, size, and location, enhancing global risk assessment and protecting coastal areas.
A study investigating aquatic species response to environmental stress factors in urban habitats reveals populations adapt and become more resilient. This finding supports the hypothesis that urban habitats provide clues about animal adaptation to future environmental changes.
A new study reveals that Amazonian mangrove forests release essential trace elements like neodymium into the ocean, supporting marine ecosystems and the carbon cycle. Mangroves act as biochemical reactors, releasing nutrients and metals into coastal waters.
Seagrass meadows promote biodiversity, coastal protection, and water quality improvement while effectively storing carbon dioxide. A new project aims to develop strategies for their conservation and restoration in the Baltic Sea.
Research reveals that wind-driven processes shape nutrient supply to the ocean, triggering phytoplankton blooms. The Equatorial Undercurrent plays a crucial role in transporting cool, nutrient-laden waters eastward.
Researchers found that zooplankton communities remained stable and tolerated moderate chemical changes associated with Ocean Alkalinity Enhancement. However, nutritional quality of particulate matter may deteriorate, potentially affecting marine food web structure and productivity.
The expedition aims to understand how extreme geohazards interact and improve the long-term safety of coastal regions. Researchers use innovative technologies to collect real-time data on earthquakes, ground movements, and volcanic gases.
The MMinE-SwEEPER project aims to develop a systematic approach for detecting, assessing, and clearing unexploded ordnance in European waters. The project seeks to minimize risks to people and the environment while protecting biodiversity and promoting sustainable munitions clearance.
Professor Susanne Neuer receives Excellence Professorship for her research on the biological carbon pump, a crucial mechanism in absorbing CO2 from the atmosphere. Her work highlights the importance of tiny ocean organisms in forming sinking particles that transport carbon into the deep ocean.
Climate change is releasing more contaminants into the ocean, affecting marine ecosystems. Human activities and natural sources are mobilizing and increasing contaminant flows due to rising sea levels and melting glaciers.
Researchers found that stock assessments have often been overly optimistic, with a third of sustainably fished stocks classified as overfished. They call for simpler models and greater use of the precautionary principle to protect fish stocks.
A team of researchers has developed a novel genetic clock to determine the age of a large marine plant clone for the first time. The oldest identified seagrass clone is 1402 years old and was found in the Baltic Sea, making it older than other long-lived species.
Researchers found that coastal trapped waves and tidal mixing control primary production in the tropical Angolan upwelling system. Productivity peaks occur seasonally, with strong fluctuations during austral winter.
Research findings show seagrasses have evolved unique adaptations to thrive in marine environments, including genome duplication and fine-tuning of supportive pathways. The study's results provide clues for conserving and sustainably using these important ecosystems.
The biological carbon pump is crucial for regulating atmospheric CO2 levels, but focusing solely on export flux neglects ocean circulation's impact. Changes in ocean circulation under climate change lead to increased storage of biologically produced CO2 in the interior ocean.
The METEOR Expedition M197 is a research project studying the Eastern Mediterranean Sea's future changes in response to climate change and human activities. The project investigates nutrient supply, marine ecosystems, and carbon export from surface to deep waters.
A GEOMAR study found that low North Atlantic sea surface temperatures are responsible for heat events on land. The researchers discovered a link between cold ocean temperatures and European heat waves, which contributes to the formation of high pressure systems and clear skies.
A new study reveals that zooplankton species in the Humboldt Current off Peru can attenuate the export of carbon to the deep sea by consuming sinking particles. This challenge the previously prevailing assumption of a uniformly efficient biological carbon pump in oxygen minimum zones.
Two GEOMAR researchers will receive €2 million EU funding over five years to study the Antarctic ice sheet, carbon cycles, and deep-sea biodiversity. Their projects aim to improve climate projections and solve deep-sea mysteries.