“Our data show for the first time that stronger stratification of the Southern Ocean was crucial for the comparatively cool interglacials before the Mid-Brunhes Event,” says Dr Huang Huang, the study's lead author. He completed his PhD at ������Ƶ in 2019 and now works at the Laoshan Laboratory in Qingdao (China). The Mid-Brunhes Event refers to a significant climate change that occurred around 430,000 years ago. Following this event, the interglacial periods became warmer, longer and had higher CO₂ levels in the atmosphere. “With our new methodological approach, we were even able to detect shorter-term variations in the ocean – providing us with a much more detailed view of Southern Ocean dynamics.”

A look into the past with innovative laser technology

To address their research question, the team analysed a ferromanganese crust collected from the Antarctic continental margin at a depth of around 1,600 metres. These crusts grow extremely slowly and record the chemical signature of seawater over hundreds of thousands of years.

Using a novel laser-based technique – known as 2D laser ablation technique, in which tiny samples of material are precisely vaporised and then analysed – the researchers investigated the isotopic composition of lead preserved in the crust. Lead isotopes reveal how strongly the water layers in the ocean were mixed in the past. A new method also enables absolute dating of the layers of the same crust sample. In this way, past climate changes can be reconstructed at very high temporal resolution.

“This new laser method opens up completely new possibilities for climate reconstruction,” says Dr Jan Fietzke, a physicist and the head of the LA-ICP-MS (laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry) laboratory at ������Ƶ. “It enables us to gain a better understanding of the role of the Southern Ocean in the global carbon cycle, which is also relevant for predicting future climate developments.”

Stronger stratification: ocean processes determine the climate

The data show that during the lukewarm interglacials, the Southern Ocean was more strongly stratified – the upper and lower water layers mixed less. This meant that more carbon remained stored in the deep ocean instead of reaching the atmosphere. Less atmospheric CO₂ in turn led to a weaker greenhouse effect, cooler Antarctic temperatures and probably also a larger Antarctic ice sheet. The results highlight the crucial role of ocean changes for the sensitivity of the Earth’s climate system.

Publication:
Huang, H., Fietzke, J., Gutjahr, M., Frank, M., Kuhn, G., Zhang, X., Hillenbrand, C.-D., Li, D., Hu, J., & Yu, J. (2025). Enhanced deep Southern Ocean stratification during the lukewarm interglacials. Nature Communications.

Highlighting the importance of Bachelor’s theses
“The work of Ms Schlack impressively demonstrates how even at the level of a Bachelor’s thesis, key progress can be made in understanding climate processes of global relevance,” said Dr Peter Gimpel, Chair of the Society to Support ������Ƶ. “With the Otto Krümmel Award, we want to make exactly these achievements visible and underline the significance of the Bachelor’s degree in scientific education.”

“The Otto Krümmel Award is a wonderful recognition for young researchers,” said Frank Spiekermann, Administrative Director of ������Ƶ. “We present it as part of our centre’s internal Science Day, deliberately involving the awardee in our scientific dialogue. Ms Schlack’s work highlights the vital link between fundamental ocean research and global climate issues.”

Captain Klaus Küper of the Briese shipping company, which co-funds the award, also emphasised the importance of the prize: “As a shipping company, we are proud to contribute to marine science in Germany through the management of research vessels. All the more, we are delighted when young scientists such as Ms Schlack commit themselves to this field with great dedication. Her work underscores the importance of ocean research for understanding global climate questions – and with our sponsorship we want to help ensure that Bachelor’s theses like this receive the visibility they deserve.”

The laudatory speech for Mayra Schlack was given by Professor Dr Sinikka Lennartz, Professor of Biogeochemical Ocean Modelling at the University of Oldenburg, who supervised her thesis.

Data collection during an Antarctic voyage
For her work, Mayra Schlack used a dataset from an Atlantic transit of the research vessel POLARSTERN from Bremerhaven to Cape Town. In addition to meteorological and oceanographic parameters, water samples were analysed, with the dissolved organic matter examined using high-resolution mass spectrometry. The molecular information obtained in this way is so far unique. Using a biogeochemical model, Schlack calculated how much carbonyl sulphide could be produced daily through the influence of sunlight and linked this rate to the molecular properties of the dissolved organic matter.

The results show that a high sulphur content in dissolved organic matter does not necessarily lead to a high photoproduction rate of carbonyl sulphide. Apparently, not all sulphur-containing molecules are equally suitable as precursors for the gas. Her work contributes to clarifying the role of the ocean as a source of carbonyl sulphide and reducing uncertainties in global climate models.

Innovation Award 2025: Building material for coral reefs from desalination brine
For the first time, the ������Ƶ Innovation Award was also presented during the Science Day. The prize, initiated by ������Ƶ’s Research Funding and Transfer Division, recognises outstanding inventions with particular application potential. ������Ƶ Director Professor Dr Katja Matthes presented the trophy and certificate to Dr Ed Hathorne and his team for their project “DeSal Reef”.

The project addresses one of the great challenges of the coming decades: the restoration of tropical coral reefs. These ecosystems are biodiversity hotspots that are particularly threatened by ocean warming and acidification. Moreover, many tropical coastal regions, especially small island states, suffer from water scarcity and therefore rely on seawater desalination. The highly concentrated brine waste produced is usually discharged directly into the sea, burdening the environment.

DeSal Reef proposes an innovative approach: using the brine to produce calcium carbonate structures through electrolysis, which can then be used for coral reef restoration. Initial laboratory and field trials on mineral precipitation have already been successfully conducted. This approach offers two benefits: on the one hand, potentially harmful effluents are treated in an environmentally friendly manner, and on the other hand, new structures are created that support coral growth and can even locally buffer ocean acidification.

“With the Innovation Award, we want to give ������Ƶ researchers an additional incentive to develop creative ideas,” said ������Ƶ Director Professor Dr Katja Matthes. “The DeSal Reef project is a striking example of how scientific curiosity can generate practical solutions – in this case, for the protection and restoration of coral reefs. Such approaches combine excellent research with societal responsibility, and that is precisely what we aim to promote with this prize.”

About: Otto Krümmel Award
The Otto Krümmel-Förderpreis is awarded annually by the Society to Support ������Ƶ Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel to recognise an outstanding Bachelor’s thesis in marine science. The aim is to strengthen the Bachelor’s degree as an independent and important step in scientific qualification. The €1,500 prize is funded equally by the Society and the shipping company Briese.

Otto Krümmel (1854–1912) is regarded as a pioneer of modern oceanography in Germany. As a professor at Kiel University, he headed the Kiel Marine Research Institute, a predecessor of today’s ������Ƶ, for many years.

Tens of thousands of earthquakes shook the Greek island of Santorini and the surrounding area at the beginning of the year. Now, researchers from GFZ Helmholtz Centre for Geosciences and ������Ƶ Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel, together with international colleagues, have published a comprehensive geological analysis of the seismic crisis in the journal Nature. The researchers integrated data from earthquake stations and ocean bottom instruments deployed at the Kolumbo underwater volcano 7 km away from Santorini and used a newly developed AI-based method for locating earthquakes. This enabled reconstructing the processes in the underground with unique detail, revealing that around 300 million cubic metres of magma rose from the deep crust and came to rest at a depth of around four kilometres below the ocean floor. During its ascent through the crust, the molten magma generated thousands of earthquakes and seismic tremors. 

A seismically unstable region – geological background

Santorini is located in the eastern Mediterranean and forms part of the Hellenic volcanic arc, a highly active geological zone. This world-famous island group forms the rim of a caldera, which was created by a massive volcanic eruption around 3,600 years ago.

The active underwater volcano Kolumbo lies in the immediate vicinity. In addition, the region is crossed by several active geological fault zones, which is the result of the African Plate pushing north-east against the Hellenic Plate. The Earth's crust beneath the Mediterranean region has broken up into several microplates that shift against each other, and in some cases subduct and melt, thus, sourcing volcanic activity.

Santorini has produced multiple eruptions is historic times, most recently in 1950. In 1956, two severe earthquakes occurred in the southern Aegean Sea, only 13 minutes apart, between Santorini and the neighbouring island of Amorgos. These had magnitudes of 7.4 and 7.2 respectively, triggering a tsunami.

The earthquake swarm that initiated in late January 2025 took place in exactly this region. During the crisis, more than 28,000 earthquakes were recorded. The strongest of these reached magnitudes of over 5.0. The severe shaking caused great public concern during the seismic crisis, partly because the cause was initially unclear, being potentially either tectonic or volcanic.

What happened underground? – Findings from the current study

The new study now shows that the earthquake swarm was triggered by the deep transport of magma. The chain of events had already begun in July 2024, when magma rose into a shallow reservoir beneath Santorini. This initially led to a barely noticeable uplift of Santorini by a few centimetres.  At the beginning of January 2025, seismic activity intensified, and from the end of January, magma began to rise from the depths, accompanied by intense seismic activity. However, the seismic activity shifted away from Santorini over a distance of more than 10 kilometres to the northeast. During this phase, the foci of the quakes moved in several pulses from a depth of 18 kilometres upwards to a depth of only 3 kilometres below the seafloor. The high-resolution temporal and spatial analysis of the earthquake distribution, combined with satellite radio interferometry (InSAR), GPS ground stations and seafloor stations, made it possible to model the events.

Dr Marius Isken, geophysicist at the GFZ and one of the two lead authors of the study, says: “The seismic activity was typical of magma ascending through the Earth's crust. The migrating magma breaks the rock and forms pathways, which causes intense earthquake activity. Our analysis enabled us to trace the path and dynamics of the magma ascent with a high degree of accuracy.”

Santorini volcano was inflating during the six months prior to the onset of diking, which was fed from the magma reservoir beneath Kolumbo. The authors interpret this as evidence of a previously unknown hydraulic connection between the two volcanoes. Dr Jens Karstens, marine geophysicist at ������Ƶ and also lead author of the study, explains: “Through close international cooperation and the combination of various geophysical methods, we were able to follow the development of the seismic crisis in near real time and even learn something about the interaction between the two volcanoes. This will help us to improve the monitoring of both volcanoes in the future.”

View from many perspectives – methods

Two factors in particular enabled the exceptionally detailed mapping of the subsurface. For one, an AI-driven method developed at the GFZ for the automatic evaluation of large seismic data sets. Secondly, ������Ƶ had already deployed underwater sensors at the crater of the underwater volcano Kolumbo at the beginning of January as part of the MULTI-MAREX project. These sensors not only measured seismic signals directly above the reservoir, but also pressure changes resulting from the subsidence of the seabed by up to 30 centimetres during the intrusion of magma beneath Kolumbo.

Scientific research activity on Santorini is continuing despite the decline in seismic activity. The GFZ is conducting repeated gas and temperature measurements on Santorini, while ������Ƶ currently has eight seabed sensor platforms in operation.

Prof. Dr Heidrun Kopp, Professor of Marine Geodesy at ������Ƶ and project manager of MULTI-MAREX, says: “The joint findings were always shared with the Greek authorities in order to enable the fastest and most accurate assessment of the situation possible in the event of new earthquakes.” Co-author Prof. Dr Paraskevi Nomikou is Professor of Geological Oceanography at the University of Athens and works closely with the German partner institutes on the MULTI-MAREX project. She adds: “This long-standing cooperation made it possible to jointly manage the events at the beginning of the year and to analyse them so precisely from a scientific point of view. Understanding the dynamics in this geologically highly active region as accurately as possible is crucial for the safety and protection of the population.”

About: MULTI-MAREX

MULTI-MAREX is one of four projects in the research mission ‘Paths to improved risk management in the area of marine extreme events and natural hazards’ (mareXtreme), which is being implemented by the German Marine Research Alliance (DAM). It brings together ten partner institutions from six universities and the two Helmholtz Centres GFZ and ������Ƶ in Germany. The aim is to develop a real-world laboratory for investigating geomarine extreme events such as earthquakes, volcanism and tsunamis in the central Mediterranean region.

Original Publication:

Isken, M., Karstens, J. et al. (2025). Volcanic crisis reveals coupled magma system at Santorini and Kolumbo. Nature.  

Although phytoplankton in the ocean are tiny, they are of global importance: they account for only about 1-2 per cent of plant biomass, yet are responsible for nearly 40 per cent of global CO₂ uptake through photosynthesis. The new project at ������Ƶ and CAU will use AI to determine the role of phytoplankton in climate protection more precisely and quickly. The project aims to improve our understanding of the ocean’s natural climate protection functions and to strengthen them. The project is funded with around 2.16 million euros as part of the initiative AI Lighthouses for the Environment, Climate, Nature and Resources. Rita Schwarzelühr-Sutter, Parliamentary State Secretary at the Federal Ministry for the Environment (BMUKN), presented the funding notification in Berlin today.

The KIMMCO project – short for KI-gesteuertes Monitoring mariner Mikroalgen als CO2-Senke, AI-based monitoring of marine microalgae as a CO₂ sink – is embedded in the Action Programme for Natural Climate Protection (ANK), which was launched by the Federal Ministry for the Environment to protect ecosystems and to enhance their role as natural allies in climate protection.

Artificial intelligence meets climate protection

“Understanding the relationship between biodiversity and the CO₂ storage capacity of phytoplankton is a key prerequisite for effective marine conservation,” says Prof. Dr Anja Engel, project leader and Professor of Biological Oceanography at the ������Ƶ Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel.

This is precisely where KIMMCO comes in. The researchers combine approaches at different scales – from in situ sensor measurements and microscopic camera systems to optical water properties and satellite-based remote sensing. AI applications analyse and integrate the collected data, providing a near real-time picture of phytoplankton productivity and species composition.

“With KIMMCO, our goal is to make large-scale measurements more efficient and accurate, while reducing resource usage and speeding up the process,” explains Prof. Dr Kevin Köser, Head of the Marine Data Science group at Kiel University. “This not only saves time and ship operations, but also aims to reduce the CO₂ footprint of marine observation itself.”

A lighthouse for science and policy

The project will run until the end of 2027, first being tested in the Baltic Sea. Its aim is to generate new insights into the ocean’s natural climate protection function and make these available to policymakers. KIMMCO will contribute valuable data to international monitoring programmes and environmental indicators, including those employed under the European Water Framework Directive, the Marine Strategy Framework Directive and within HELCOM.

The project will also include biodiversity and sustainability checks, comparing the new AI-based methods with classical techniques in terms of accuracy, resource use, and CO₂ footprint.

About: Action Programme for Natural Climate Protection (ANK)

Through the ANK, the Federal Ministry for the Environment is enhancing the capacity of ecosystems, including forests, moors, rivers, lakes and seas, to act as natural climate protectors. Between 2024 and 2028, more than 3.5 billion euros will be made available for this purpose. AI Lighthouses for the Environment, Climate, Nature and Resources, of which KIMMCO is one, are a key part of the programme.

Beginning in late 2022, an international group of scientists from New Zealand, Japan, the United States, and Germany deployed a dense network of seafloor instruments offshore Gisborne to monitor both fast (seismic) and slow motion (lasting weeks to months) fault activity. The instruments that have been retrieved over the last two weeks will enable unprecedented, detailed understanding of “slow slip events”, a type of slow-motion earthquake that lasts days to months. These "slow-slip" earthquakes are crucial for understanding how stress builds up and is released along subduction zones, and the relationship of “slow slip” earthquakes to damaging “seismic” earthquakes.

Three years of seafloor measurements off Gisborne

Voyage leader Laura Wallace from ������Ƶ in Germany says “This deployment represents the largest multi-disciplinary experiment ever undertaken worldwide to probe offshore slow slip events, with more than 50 instruments in place on the seabed for 3 years.” The large network of seafloor instruments captured two major slow slip earthquakes that took place offshore the North Island’s east coast in 2024 and 2025. 40 of the instruments are recording ocean bottom pressure to resolve centimeter-level vertical movement of the seabed during the slow-motion earthquakes — making it the densest and largest ever deployment of seafloor pressure sensors conducted globally.

The seafloor instruments have also recorded signals from distant seismic events, including tsunami waves generated by the recent M8.8 offshore Kamchatka subduction earthquake. Katie Jacobs of Earth Sciences New Zealand, who is a co-leader of the project, says “It’s exciting to record multiple slow slip events and be able to start testing earthquake and slow slip models developed from previous offshore observations here.”

Recording distant earthquakes and tsunamis

The Hikurangi plate boundary is located off the East Coast of the North Island, where the Pacific tectonic plate dives beneath the Australian plate—forming New Zealand’s largest and most hazardous earthquake and tsunami source. The Hikurangi subduction zone has received major attention from international earthquake scientists over the last 15 years, in part due to the close proximity of the plate boundary to New Zealand’s Geonet, Aotearoa New Zealand’s onshore monitoring network.

Next deployment scheduled for November 2025

The success of this project sets the stage for a new phase of research, with another major deployment of instruments planned for November 2025—this time focusing on the Hawke’s Bay region, a different portion of the Hikurangi plate boundary where slow slip earthquakes are also observed. This internationally collaborative effort is a major step forward to understanding where and how earthquakes and slow slip events are generated on undersea plate boundaries, where the deadliest tsunami are generated.

Project Partners and Funding:
Earth Sciences New Zealand, ������Ƶ, University of Tokyo, Kyōto University, Tōhoku University, Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory, and the University of Rhode Island are the research partners on this project. Scientific research funding for this project has come from New Zealand's Ministry for Business, Innovation and Employment, Germany’s Helmholtz Association, the United States National Science Foundation, and Japanese government science funding.

ROV delivers the surprise
“We essentially have a hot vent bubbling right next to a cool gas seep – a combination that has never been described before,” says Dr Philipp Brandl, marine geologist at the ������Ƶ Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel. He served as chief scientist on the SONNE expedition SO299 DYNAMET, which explored the Tabar–Lihir–Tanga–Feni island chain in 2023 to study the region’s underwater volcanoes (seamounts).

Brandl continues: “No one really expected to find a hydrothermal field here, let alone one that is so exceptional.” Although previous expeditions had indicated minor hydrothermal activity, the field remained undetected during several research cruises. It was only through the use of the ROV Kiel 6000 that the peculiarities of this underwater landscape were revealed. “It was a real surprise,” says Brandl, “especially for those of us who had worked in this area multiple times.”

A hybrid system of hot and cool vents
Hydrothermal vents and methane seeps usually occur in different places on the seabed. In this case, however, they are in close proximity is due to the unique geology of Conical Seamount, where thick sediment layers containing organic material lie beneath the volcanic structure. Ascending magma heats these layers, generating methane and other hydrocarbons. At the same time, this magmatic heat also drives mineral-rich fluids upwards, where they emerge as hot vents at the seabed.

Both fluids – the hot water from depth and the cooler, methane-rich gases from the sediments – travel along the same pathways to the surface. Consequently, hot fluid and cold gas bubble up from the seabed just a few centimetres apart.

A habitat unlike any other
This direct neighbourhood creates an entirely new hybrid environment, providing a habitat for an extremely diverse range of animals. Dense fields of the mussel Bathymodiolus, tube worms, shrimp, amphipods, and striking purple sea cucumbers cover the rocks. “In places, you couldn’t see a single patch of rock because everything is so densely populated,” says Brandl. “We are confident that some of the species there have not yet been described. However, a dedicated expedition would be needed to fully study this unique habitat.”

Due to the abundance of mussels, the scientists, along with local observer Stanis Konabe from the University of Papua New Guinea, named the field ‘Karambusel’. In the local Tok Pisin language, this means ‘mussel’.

Traces of precious metals in the rock
The unusual gas composition at the Karambusel field influences both the communities of life and the geological features. The methane emitted is highly concentrated, exceeding 80 per cent, while hot fluids rise from the magma simultaneously, creating unique chemical conditions in the subsurface. Metals such as gold and silver, together with elements such as arsenic, antimony, and mercury, are deposited in the rock. Thus, the area bears the marks of an earlier, high-temperature phase involving precious metals, alongside present-day, cooler activity.

Threats from human activity
Despite its unique geology and biology, this site is under threat. Mining is already taking place in the region, for example, at the Ladolam gold mine on Lihir, where waste and residues are discharged into the sea. Exploration licences for minerals and hydrocarbons on the seabed also exist. This endangers the fragile habitat and its highly specialised fauna.

The researchers are therefore calling for urgent further study, targeted marine spatial planning, and effective protection measures to preserve this extraordinary ecosystem. Philipp Brandl: “We have discovered an unexpected treasure trove of biodiversity in the Karambusel field that needs to be protected before economic interests destroy it.”

Publication:
Brandl, P. A., Sander, S. G., Beier, C. et al. (2025): Coupled hydrothermal venting and hydrocarbon seepage discovered at Conical Seamount, Papua New Guinea. Scientific Reports.

Scientific goals: from biodiversity to ocean governance

At the heart of the project lies research into the spatial and temporal variability of the deep-sea environment and the genetic connectivity of species across thousands of kilometres. Scientists are also investigating how toxic substances released and habitats destroyed by mining could affect faunal communities on the seafloor and in the water column. Based on these findings, the project aims to develop indicators of ecosystem health and to define threshold values for serious harm. In addition, MiningImpact3 is developing digital twin technologies as new tools to monitor and regulate mining activities. Broader questions of ocean governance and societal implications will also be addressed, including how mining regulations are situated in the multiple international marine agreements.
As in the first two phases, expeditions with the German research vessel SONNE are planned. Five years after the first industrial-scale test mining, scientists will return to the disturbed sites in the Clarion-Clipperton Zone in the Pacific. Further cruises with Dutch and Polish research vessels will target seafloor massive sulphide deposits along the Arctic Mid-Ocean Ridge.

Launch at the International Seabed Authority

MiningImpact3 was formally launched in July at a side event during the 30th session of the International Seabed Authority (ISA) in Kingston, Jamaica. At this high-profile evening event, leading European marine scientists presented the results of a decade of deep-sea mining research and introduced the new project phase. More than 120 participants attended, including ISA delegates, contractor representatives and observers.
A key contribution to the ISA negotiations was the publication of the project’s Ecotox Report. This report reviews existing national and international regulations from related sectors such as oil and gas production, dredging and bottom trawling, and derives recommendations for developing environmental thresholds for deep-sea mining. The goal is to establish science-based threshold values that can act as an early warning system. 
Project coordinator Matthias Haeckel explains: “In a traffic light system, thresholds indicate when mining activities could lead to critical consequences for deep-sea ecosystems, and when protective measures – or even a stop to operations – are required. This way, the project directly supports the ISA in building robust, practical standards to ensure effective protection of the deep sea.”
Kick-off meeting in Ghent
At their kick-off meeting from 9 to 12 September 2025 in Ghent, the project partners are discussing the current status of knowledge, their planned research and upcoming expeditions. The agenda includes not only natural science work: participants are also addressing governance issues, engaging with international stakeholders from industry, environmental organisations and authorities, and are exploring the interface between science and the arts.

About: MiningImpact

Since 2015, European scientists in the MiningImpact consortium have been studying and assessing the environmental impacts of potential future deep-sea mining activities. The scientific findings are translated into recommendations for international and national authorities. MiningImpact is funded under the Joint Programming Initiative Healthy and Productive Seas and Oceans (JPI Oceans). The consortium brings together the expertise of 34 institutions from Belgium, Denmark, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal and the United Kingdom. The results are intended to directly inform the ongoing work of the International Seabed Authority and support evidence-based policymaking. 

“The Ship technology and equipment of METEOR IV provide the best possible conditions for investigating the ocean and the impacts of climate change at the highest scientific level,” says ������Ƶ Director Prof. Dr Katja Matthes. “We are delighted that ������Ƶ will operate this ship in the service of German ocean research.”

The new flagship of German marine research

The new flagship of Germany’s research fleet will replace the current METEOR and the POSEIDON, which was taken out of service in 2019 and also operated by ������Ƶ. Closely modelled on Germany’s most recent research vessel SONNE, the new ship is designed for worldwide use, with a focus on the Atlantic. Its multifunctional facilities will meet the increasing demands of all disciplines of ocean research.

The new METEOR can remain at sea for up to 52 days without interruption. Its scientific facilities include 17 laboratories with different configurations, among them climate chambers and a laboratory for atmospheric chemistry measurements to better investigate the interactions between the ocean and the atmosphere. The vessel is also equipped with high-precision echosounders, research winches that allow the deployment of instruments down to 12,000 metres depth and can transmit high-resolution video data to the ship in real time via fibre-optic cable, as well as five powerful cranes. In addition, it offers sufficient capacity to carry large equipment such as ROVs, AUVs or moorings together with their associated containers. In total, 730 square metres of working space are available for science, of which 585 square metres are laboratory space.

Powered by so-called Voith Schneider propellers, the ship can maintain an exact position at sampling stations and minimise movements caused by waves. The METEOR IV is currently the only research vessel in the world to feature this innovative system.

One of METEOR IV’s first major scientific missions will be the one-year FUTURO research campaign off the west coast of Africa. Initiated by the German ocean research community and coordinated by ������Ƶ, this international campaign aims to understand how climate change and human pressures are affecting the upwelling ecosystem and thus the livelihoods of people in the region – and how fair, science-based management of the coastal ecosystem can be achieved.

Kiel to be the home port of METEOR IV

With today’s signing of the contracts it is confirmed: Kiel will be the home port of the new METEOR – even though the vessel will rarely be seen there, as the globally operating ships of the German research fleet spend most of their time at sea.

This is different for the smaller research vessels operated by ������Ƶ: ALKOR and LITTORINA are regularly used for cruises in Kiel Bight as well as in the North Sea and the Baltic Sea and are a familiar sight in the cityscape of Kiel as a hub of marine research.

To investigate this, a field experiment is now beginning off the coast of Gran Canaria. The experiment is led by Prof. Dr Ulf Riebesell, Professor of Biological Oceanography at the ������Ƶ Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel. Marine biogeochemist Dr Kai Schulz, a visiting researcher from Southern Cross University (Australia), will be providing on-site direction. For the first time, two approaches are being compared systematically: adding already dissolved minerals and introducing finely ground rock into seawater.

Natural and Accelerated Rock Weathering
In the long term, nature binds carbon dioxide through the process of rock weathering. Minerals are transported into the ocean via rivers and chemically store CO₂ in dissolved form. However, this natural process takes millennia, which is far too long to mitigate human-induced climate change significantly in the coming decades. For this reason, researchers worldwide are investigating whether this process can be accelerated. In addition to the potential for long-term CO₂ storage, ocean alkalinity enhancement could have an added benefit: it could counteract the increasing acidification of seawater caused by the absorption of large amounts of CO₂ emissions.

Mesocosms as a Field Laboratory
For the Gran Canaria experiment, researchers are using Kiel mesocosms, which are 3.5-metre-long plastic tubes suspended in the sea on fixed frames. Within them, natural communities can be observed under controlled conditions, much like in oversized test tubes. The 12 mesocosms are currently being set up and filled. The crucial intervention will take place on 19 and 20 September, when minerals will be added. The aim is to compare the effects of dissolved alkalinity versus rock powder on the ecosystem.

Comparative Experiments in North and South
The current experiment builds on a series of field studies on OAE conducted in Gran Canaria in 2021, off the coast of Bergen (Norway) in2022, on Heligoland in 2023, and in the Kiel Fjord (Germany) last year. In the Kiel study, finely ground rock was used for the first time instead of previously dissolved minerals. Significantly stronger effects on zooplankton were observed under certain conditions, particularly at greatly increased concentrations. It remains unclear whether these differences are due to the particles not yet being fully dissolved, which could directly influence organisms within the first few hours or days.

Dr Kai Schulz: “The aim of this experiment is to find out whether the particles themselves have an additional effect on the ecosystem or if the observed effects are solely due to the increased alkalinity of the water.” The scientific director, Prof Dr Ulf Riebesell, explains why this is important: “Effects on zooplankton would also propagate to animals higher up the food chain. Only by fully understanding these mechanisms can we realistically assess the potential risks and benefits of ocean alkalinity enhancement.”

“The fact that we have been awarded the maximum funding sum is impressive recognition of our work to date,” says Prof. Dr Anton Eisenhauer, Professor of Marine Environmental Geochemistry at the ������Ƶ Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel, and coordinator of the BlueHealthTech alliance. “This vote of confidence is both encouragement and obligation. Together with our partners and the expert BlueHealthTech advisory board, we will make progress in the second funding phase to develop a maritime health economy that will benefit medicine and the people in our region.”

The BMFTR expert panel praised BlueHealthTech, commending it as a scientifically excellent alliance with a clear strategic direction and professional structure. They also recognised the exceptional fit of its innovation field with the region.

Broad Partnerships for a Maritime Health Economy
BlueHealthTech currently brings together over 70 partners in a regional alliance that is driving innovation-based structural change in the healthcare sector around Kiel. The network was initiated by a steering group consisting of Kiel University (CAU), Stryker Trauma GmbH, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein (UKSH), and ������Ƶ. Alongside further partners from academia, industry, and civil society, they are developing processes, products, and business models that harness the ocean as a source of new health technologies, ranging from marine bioactive compounds for pharmaceuticals to novel diagnostic and preventive approaches.

Research Projects with Marine Innovation Power
Since the beginning of the first funding phase in December 2021, the BlueHealthTech alliance has launched over 20 research and development projects, forging new connections between marine science and medicine. Over 60 proposals were submitted in four project calls, which clearly demonstrates the innovative potential at this intersection.

The strategic framework is set by the innovation management team, led by Alliance Coordinator Prof. Dr Anton Eisenhauer and Strategic Manager Prof. Dr Carsten Schultz (CAU).

Two current projects demonstrate how interdisciplinary collaboration can lead to concrete innovations: MorphoMarin combines pharmaceutical research with marine biotechnology. The project aims to make active substances from marine microorganisms usable for bone healing, tissue engineering and cell replacement therapy. The IsoOx project transfers complex analytical methods from marine geochemistry to medicine. This results in a novel procedure for precisely determining oxidative stress, which can damage cells and contribute to chronic diseases.

Looking ahead: Focus on Market Launch and Sustainability
During the second funding phase, the emphasis will be on building on previous results and establishing them as a lasting feature. Inventions and patents will be translated into innovative products and services. The focus will be on diagnostics, therapy, and prevention, with a strong emphasis placed on technology transfer and the development of a sustainable model to secure the alliance’s long-term future.

BlueHealthTech as Innovation Engine Driving Structural Change in Schleswig-Holstein
By linking marine sciences and healthcare, BlueHealthTech is positioning Schleswig-Holstein as a pioneer in ocean-based medical innovation. With over 70 partners from the worlds of research, business, and society, the alliance is promoting the diversification of the regional economy and creating new jobs, particularly in the areas of biomedical research, digital diagnostics, the development of marine bioactive compounds and preventive healthcare.

Prof. Dr Katja Matthes (Director of ������Ƶ), Prof. Dr-Ing. Eckhard Quandt (Vice President of CAU), Dr Nils Reimers (Director of R&D at Stryker) and Prof. Dr Jens Scholz (CEO of UKSH) all agree: BlueHealthTech is a prime example of excellent research and outstanding innovation potential in the region. By closely networking marine sciences, medicine and business, concrete solutions for people’s health are being created, as well as an innovation engine for structural change in Schleswig-Holstein.

Background: About the WIR! funding programme
With the WIR! – Change through Innovation in the Region programme, the Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space (BMFTR) supports structurally weak regions in creating new economic prospects through research and innovation projects. The programme aims to establish regional networks that can operate independently in the long term.

Meta-study on climate change scenarios

Together with Prof. Dr. Meryem Mojtahid, Professor of Paleo-Oceanography at the University of Angers and at Laboratory of Planetology and geosciences (France), they have investigated the effects of climate change on marine and coastal ecosystems in the Mediterranean region. The projections of the meta-study are based on recognized climate scenarios of the IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change). The research team analyzed 131 scientific studies on Mediterranean published up to August 2023. For the first time, this resulted in a so-called 'burning ember' diagram for Mediterranean marine and coastal ecosystems – a risk assessment tool originally developed by the IPCC. “The diagram clearly shows how strongly climate change threatens key ecosystems. I hope our results will help raise awareness and inspire real action to protect these unique ecosystems,” says Meryem Mojtahid. The study also draws on the Research Initiative on Climate Change and Environmental Degradation in the Mediterranean Region (MedECC). In 2020, the initiative published the first Mediterranean Assessment Report under the name MAR1, thus playing a key role in consolidating knowledge on climate and environmental changes in the Mediterranean area.

Mediterranean as a “Climate Change Hotspot”: Every Tenth of a Degree Counts

The Mediterranean Sea – similar to the Baltic Sea or the Black Sea – is a semi-enclosed sea and connected to the global ocean only through the Strait of Gibraltar. As a result, the Mediterranean Sea is warming faster and acidifying more strongly than the open ocean. Between 1982 and 2019, the surface seawater temperature already increased by 1.3°C, while the global increase was only 0.6°C. Therefore, the IPCC also refers to the Mediterranean Sea as a 'hotspot of climate change'. Also, scientists consider it as a natural laboratory because it reacts faster and more strongly to climate pressures than the open ocean, while at the same time concentrating multiple drivers and stressors in a relatively small, well-observed system. “What happens in the Mediterranean often foreshadows changes to be expected elsewhere, so the Mediterranean Sea acts like an early warning system for processes that will later affect the global ocean,” says Abed El Rahman Hassoun."

If international climate protection targets are met in the coming years, some environmental changes could still be slowed. Two IPCC scenarios – known as RCPs, or Representative Concentration Pathways – can be used to illustrate this: In a medium emissions scenario (RCP 4.5), emissions will stabilise over the next few years thanks to moderate climate policies. Even in this case, the Mediterranean Sea is expected to warm by an additional 0.6 to 1.3 °C (compared to current values) in 2050 and 2100 respectively. In contrast, the high emissions scenario (RCP 8.5) describes the “business as usual” path with continuously rising emissions. In this scenario, additional warming would likely range between 2.7°C and 3.8°C by 2050 and 2100 respectively. Such warming, together with sea level rise and ocean acidification, would have significant disruptions on ecosystems: seagrass meadows would be lost, coral reefs might witness significant damages, and severe chain reactions would occur in food webs.

“These scenarios show: We can still make a difference! Every tenth of a degree counts!” says study leader Abed El Rahman Hassoun. “Political decisions made now will determine whether ecosystems in the Mediterranean Sea collapse, partially or totally, or remain functional feeding the ecosystem services they provide. At the same time, our study also shows that even with moderate climate protection and an additional 0.8°C warming, we must expect some consequences. Thus, our focus should be on minimizing the impacts as low as possible.”

Impacts on Marine Ecosystems

The researchers examined a wide range of marine ecosystems: from seagrass meadows to fish and macroalgae, as well as marine mammals and turtles. Warming and acidification of the Mediterranean are altering entire communities. Plankton species are shifting, and toxic algal blooms and bacteria are occurring more frequently. With an additional warming of 0.8°C, seagrass plants such as Posidonia oceanica would decline massively and disappear completely by 2100. Seaweed species such as Cystoseira would also decline, while populations of heat-loving invasive algae could increase. Fish stocks are under pressure from +0.8 °C as well: they could shrink by 30 to 40 percent, shift northwards, and make room for invasive species such as the lionfish, which threatens biodiversity. Corals, probably due to their long evolutionary history, are relatively more resilient than other ecosystems, as they are at moderate to high risk from +3.1 °C. Data on marine mammals and sea turtles are limited, but changes in feeding grounds, migration behavior, and energy budgets are likely to occur.

Coastal Ecosystems: Particularly Vulnerable

Due to the combined effect of warming and sea-level rise, coastal ecosystems in the Mediterranean Sea are especially vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. The zone affected includes areas up to ten meters above sea level, such as dunes and rocky coasts. Rising sea levels increase coastal erosion and thereby threaten the nesting sites of sea turtles – more than 60 percent could be lost. Even at an additional warming of just +0.8 °C, the risk rises significantly: sandy beaches and dunes are particularly endangered, and rocky coasts also lose habitat and biodiversity, although they are somewhat more resilient.

Wetlands, lagoons, deltas, salt marshes, and coastal aquifers are also affected and can experience considerable damage already at +0.8°C to +1.0°C. Here, the loss of important plant species, the spread of invasive species, and large-scale vegetation changes are very likely. At the same time, rising sea levels can lead to reduced precipitation and consequently water scarcity. From +1.0 °C onward, the risks are expected to increase further due to flooding and higher nutrient inputs.

“We found that Mediterranean ecosystems are remarkably diverse in how they respond to climate-related stress. Some are more resistant than others, but none are invincible”, says Meryem Mojtahid. “Only strict climate protection measures can keep the risks at a level to which ecosystems can still adapt. Through this study, we were able to make visible that even a comparatively small increase in temperature and other climate change-related stressors has significant effects. “Now it’s time to turn knowledge into action”, adds Abed El Rahman Hassoun.

Research Gaps

For several ecosystems, scientific studies for the assessment of risks are still limited. There are only few projections for deep-sea habitats, salt marshes, macroalgae, and megafauna. Significant geographical gaps also remain, particularly in the southern and eastern Mediterranean, leading to a possible underestimation of risks in underrepresented countries. Moreover, long-term observations that address multiple stressors such as pollution and invasive species simultaneously are lacking. Addressing these gaps will require stronger interdisciplinary research efforts and expanded monitoring, especially in underrepresented regions.

Background:

The IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change), also known as the World Climate Council, is the United Nations’ international expert body that assesses the current state of climate research. Its reports summarize scientific findings, highlight risks, and provide a basis for decision-making for policymakers and society. A well-known tool from the IPCC reports is the so-called “Burning Ember Diagram.” It visualizes the likelihood of harm to humans and nature depending on global warming. Orange and red areas indicate where risks become high and very high – similar to a “glowing ember,” which explains the name.

Original Publication:

Hassoun, A.E.R., Mojtahid, M., Merheb, M. et al. Climate change risks on key open marine and coastal mediterranean ecosystems. Sci Rep 15, 24907 (2025).

Coastal sediment as a source of toxic hydrogen sulfide

In Kiel Bay, a strong decrease in oxygen levels occurs regularly in late summer – a consequence of climate change and eutrophication. This has severe consequences for ecosystems and thus also for the regional economy. The study area of expedition EMB374 in the southwestern Baltic Sea is known for the frequent occurrence of oxygen-depleted zones in late summer. Particularly problematic is the release of toxic hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) at the seafloor.

For the investigations, the ship remains close to the coast, because although coastal sediments make up only about nine percent of the seafloor, they play a central role in storing and breaking down organic material such as algae, plant, or animal remains. Under oxygen-rich conditions, the organic material can be degraded to CO₂. However, in the southwestern Baltic Sea, oxygen-poor and even oxygen-free zones occur near the seafloor in late summer. These conditions favor certain bacteria that couple the decomposition of organic material to respiration with oxygen alternatives. They use sulfate for this, which is abundant in seawater. When sulfate is reduced, hydrogen sulfide is produced. It has a characteristic smell of rotten eggs and is toxic to many marine organisms. If oxygen-poor or hydrogen sulfide-containing water rises into shallower water layers due to upwelling, it can lead to mass fish kills.

How hydrogen sulfide-containing water is formed

“We want to find out under which conditions and at which locations hydrogen sulfide is released from the sediment into bottom water. With this knowledge, we can better predict risks for marine organisms and more accurately assess the role of the Baltic Sea under the influence of climate change,” says chief scientist Prof. Dr. Mirjam Perner, Professor of Geomicrobiology at ������Ƶ.

The expedition is part of the PrimePrevention project of the German Marine Research Alliance (DAM). This project investigates factors that lead to the formation of hydrogen sulfide-containing bottom waters. During the expedition, oxygen and hydrogen sulfide concentrations in the water column are measured using sensors, and geochemical and microbiological factors at the seafloor are determined. In addition, water and sediment samples are collected for laboratory analyses. All available environmental data are then incorporated into numerical models that can be used to predict the release of hydrogen sulfide. The aim is to identify particularly vulnerable regions and to assess the risk of hypoxic events for stakeholders such as tourism, fisheries, and aquaculture.

Algal blooms in the Baltic Sea

During the cruise, various systems for detecting cyanobacteria will also be tested. These organisms account for a large part of the summer algal blooms in the Baltic Sea and can produce toxins that in some cases lead to bathing bans at beaches. When they die, this also leads to increased oxygen consumption in deeper water layers.

A newly developed optical measurement system (hyperspectral module) from the University of Oldenburg will be tested during the expedition and compared with other measurements to assess its suitability for routine use on ships or measuring platforms. For comparative measurements, the HyFiVe system (modular hydrographic measuring system) is also used. It was developed at the Leibniz Institute for Baltic Sea Research Warnemünde (IOW) and at the Thünen Institute in cooperation with Hensel Elektronik GmbH, with federal funding. A newly integrated sensor can measure the amount of cyanobacteria.

With the new system from the university, fishers are also to be enabled to collect additional measurement data for marine research (projects PrimePrevention and HyFiVe-Baltic). Early detection of cyanobacteria is then to be embedded in early warning systems to protect people in coastal regions from harm. To validate and calibrate the two systems, the Oldenburg-based company AquaEcology will also take water samples, which will later be microscopically analyzed in the laboratory.

Mirjam Perner: “In the Baltic Sea, processes such as warming, acidification, and eutrophication are more pronounced and occur more rapidly than in other seas. We therefore also refer to the Baltic Sea as a time machine. This is why it is so important to already understand how the processes work that in the future will increasingly affect other marine areas as well.”

Background: PrimePrevention

The research cruise and associated work are embedded in the PrimePrevention project of the Deutsche Allianz Meeresforschung (DAM) mission mareXtreme. The project investigates ways to predict biological hazards for the ocean to prevent socio-economic impacts and is funded by the Federal Ministry for Research, Technology and Space (BMFTR). The project is coordinated by Dr. Katja Metfies at the Alfred Wegener Institute, Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research (AWI).

Expedition at a glance:
Name: EMB 374 PrimePrevention
Chief Scientist: Prof. Dr. Mirjam Perner (������Ƶ)
Period: 04.09.2025 – 13.09.2025
Start and end: Kiel
Cruise area: Southwestern Baltic Sea

CO₂ storage in flood basalts beneath the seabed
“Our central research question is: does the basalt below the seabed, in its properties and composition, have the potential to store CO₂ permanently and safely?” explains Chief Scientist Dr Ingo Klaucke, a geologist at the ������Ƶ Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel. The expedition will provide us with the necessary data to assess the storage potential of rocks and lay the foundation for their geophysical monitoring.”

The potential could be vast: globally, basalt deposits beneath the ocean theoretically have a storage capacity of 40,000 gigatons – several times the current annual global CO₂ emissions. This is why the expedition is named “Permanent sequestration of gigatons of CO₂ in continental margin basalt deposits, CO₂�ʸ�”.

Extensive lava layers off Norway’s coast
The cruise will focus on the Skoll High on the Vøring Plateau off the Norwegian coast, where cores from previous scientific drilling expeditions have indicated extensive lava layers. To determine the properties of the seabed rock, the researchers will employ high-resolution 2D and 3D surveying techniques, including reflection and refraction seismic as well as electromagnetic measurements. The resulting physical parameters, such as sound velocity and electrical resistivity, will then be fed into models to derive information on density and conductivity, and thus the rock’s storage potential. Artificial intelligence will support the data analysis. The aim is not only to identify suitable storage structures, but also to explore ways in which a future CO₂ storage site could be monitored remotely – for example, using seismic or electromagnetic signatures that might indicate leaks.

En route to the study area, the team will deploy two ARGO floats northeast of Iceland to help closing a gap in the ocean observation network.

Fewer conflicts with other sea uses
With its contribution to the international PERBAS initiative, Expedition MSM140 is providing important foundations for developing flood basalts as CO₂ storage sites. In addition to their sheer size and the potentially rapid and permanent fixation rates, such sites have the advantage of usually being far offshore and therefore less intensively used than the North Sea or other shallow shelf seas. Conflicts with other forms of use will likely be less frequent. However, the great distance from the coast would make implementation costly, as tankers would need to transport CO₂ far out to sea.

Expedition at a glance

Name: MSM140 “CO₂�ʸ�”
Chief Scientist: Dr Ingo Klaucke
Dates: 4 September – 9 October 2025
Start port: Reykjavik, Iceland
End port: Trondheim, Norway
Working area: Vøring Plateau, Norway

About PERBAS:

The international research project PERBAS (PERmanent sequestration of gigatons of CO₂ in continental margin BASalt deposits) investigates how carbon dioxide can be permanently stored in marine basalt rock. The aim is to lay the groundwork for the safe and geologically stable storage of CO₂ beneath the seabed – and thus contribute to the achievement of international climate targets. In addition to reducing emissions, large amounts of CO₂ will need to be removed from the atmosphere in future and stored safely and permanently. Basalt formations are considered a particularly promising candidate for this: they enable the mineral conversion of CO₂ into carbonate rock – a process that can be completed within just a few years.

In PERBAS, ten partners from science and industry in Germany, Norway, the USA and India pool their expertise. The ������Ƶ Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel coordinates the project, which is funded with a total of 3.6 million euros over three years as part of the ACT (Accelerating CCS Technologies) initiative of the European Research Area Network (ERA-NET). The consortium’s goal is to systematically characterise potential storage sites in marine basalt rock, determine their geophysical properties, and scientifically underpin the technical feasibility and monitoring of future storage projects. The current research phase will be completed in summer 2026. After that, a CO₂ storage experiment in flood basalts off the Norwegian coast is planned – but this will require the support and financial commitment of industry.

 
Scientific Operations:

The deep-drilling expedition was conducted by the JOIDES Resolution Science Operator (JRSO) as part of the IODP. The IODP was a multidecadal, international research program supported by 22 nations, with the goal of exploring Earth's history and structure recorded in seafloor sediments and rocks and monitoring sub-seafloor environments. Expedition 398 sailed with 32 scientists from 9 countries, with expertise in a range of geoscience disciplines. Associated professor Dr. Steffen Kutterolf, volcanologist at ������Ƶ Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel, took on one of the two scientific leadership positions. 

One of ������Ƶ’s long-standing partner institutes – the Instituto do Mar (IMar) – as well as the jointly operated Ocean Science Centre Mindelo (OSCM) were also severely affected. A mudslide at least one metre high swept across the site, causing damage to buildings and infrastructure. 

‘We stand firmly by our friends in Mindelo,’ says Professor Dr Katja Matthes, Director of the ������Ƶ Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel. ‘Our thoughts and sympathy are with the entire IMar team and their families during these difficult hours and days.’

������Ƶ will do everything in its power to support its partner institutes in the reconstruction process and is in close contact with them to coordinate the next steps.

Help Initiatives

Monetary Donations:

The association FREUNDE HELFEN FREUNDEN e. V., based in Syrgenstein/Bavaria, has been active in Cabo Verde since 2004 and will be accepting donations until September 15, 2025.

Funds will then be transferred to Reiseträume Kapverden GmbH, which is based locally, well connected, and will distribute the aid to organizations on site. These include, for example, the Organização das Mulheres de Cabo Verde/Women’s Association of Cabo Verde and the Cape Verdean Red Cross.

FREUNDE HELFEN FREUNDEN e. V.
Ringstraße 45a
89428 Syrgenstein

Donation Account:
Kreissparkasse Heidenheim
IBAN: DE82 6325 0030 0046 0112 11
BIC: SOLADES1HDH
Reference: “Unwetter 11.08. São Vicente”
Association Register: VR 687
Register Court: Amtsgericht Dillingen a. d. Donau

For donations of EUR 400 or more, please provide your full address details to the association so that an official donation receipt can be issued.

Donations in Kind:

Collection Point Kiel

At ������Ƶ, we are collecting donations in kind on the following dates:

Wednesday, 3 September | 5–7 pm
Thursday, 4 September | 5–7 pm
Wednesday, 10 September | 5–7 pm
Thursday, 11 September | 5–7 pm

������Ƶ Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel
Wischhofstraße 1–3
24148 Kiel
Building ZPL (Central Sample Storage, see location on map)

We currently advise against donating clothing, as incoming relief supplies are expected to provide sufficient coverage. Please ensure that donated goods are of good quality, clean, durable, functional, and intact. Donations should only be delivered at the specified times – please do not leave anything at the door. Items should be pre-sorted, packed in boxes, and labeled in English.

Currently Needed Goods:

✓ Non-perishable food (canned goods, rice, pasta, beans, and other long-lasting products)
✓ Towels, mattresses, bed linen, and blankets (in good condition)
✓ Underwear and socks for all age groups (new items only)
✓ Sturdy footwear, rubber boots
✓ Diapers and clothing for babies and children, baby formula
✓ School supplies (notebooks, pencils, pens, erasers, sharpeners, colored pencils, pencil cases, backpacks)
✓ Cleaning and hygiene products (detergent, strong trash bags, gloves, soap, deodorant, toothpaste & brushes, shampoo, sanitary pads)
✓ First aid kits
✓ Medication (ibuprofen, vitamins, oral rehydration solutions, electrolyte solutions, anti-inflammatory drugs, medication for diabetics and patients with high blood pressure)

Contact for questions:
Jessica Delact Reyes Mendes, +49 (0)176 2040 7578, jdelact@outlook.de
Cordula Zenk, +49 (0)431 600-4209, czenk@geomar.de

Collection Point Hamburg

The association DER HAFEN HILFT! e. V. in Hamburg will also be accepting donations in kind until Friday, September 5, 2025.

DER HAFEN HILFT! e. V.
Schnackenburger Allee 11
Gate 8, Postbox 1441
22525 Hamburg

The storage facility is not open continuously. The above guidelines regarding needed goods also apply to donations in Hamburg. To arrange drop-off, please contact Diego Fonseca:

Tel: +49 (0)176 728 76931
Email: diego.fonseca@outlook.de

DER HAFEN HILFT! e. V. also needs donations for the container shipments:

Donation accounts: 
Reference: “Flood Relief Cabo Verde”

Modelling studies suggest that volcanic activity along mid-ocean ridges responds to these pressure variations, for instance through changes in the thickness of newly formed crust, the composition of magma, or the intensity of hydrothermal activity, where hot, mineral-rich fluids emerge from the seafloor. However, a lack of long-term time series data from the seafloor has so far made it difficult to confirm these hypotheses directly.

Time series: A Key to understanding the Earth System

“We already have excellent reconstructions of past sea-level changes, but there are no similarly high-resolution records of how geological processes on the ocean floor have evolved over time. This is the gap we aim to close,” says Dr Martin Frank, a professor of chemical palaeoceanography at ������Ƶ. Frank will lead an international research team aboard the German research vessel (RV) SONNE for the next eight weeks, studying the Southeast Pacific Rise – one of the fastest-spreading and most active segments of the global mid-ocean ridge system.

“This area of the ocean acts like a conveyor belt for Earth’s geological history,” explains Frank. “We suspect that the processes taking place here have been influenced by climate over geological timescales – for example, through pressure changes driven by sea-level fluctuations during glacial and interglacial periods.”

Volcanic Glass as an Archive of the Deep Earth

Along the ship’s route from Papeete (Tahiti) to Antofagasta (Chile), the team will use a gravity corer to collect sediment cores up to 25 metres long. They will follow a transect running perpendicular to the ridge axis. This closely spaced sampling will provide a high-resolution time series.

“These seafloor sediments contain volcanic glass and metal deposits,” says Frank. “They reveal how magma chemistry and hydrothermal activity have varied over the past 1.5 million years. We can read these changes like entries in a geological archive.”

Meanwhile, seismic measurements conducted during the expedition will help reconstruct changes in the thickness of the ocean crust – another key indicator of how Earth’s interior processes may respond to climate-driven pressure shifts at the surface.

Understanding Earth System Dynamics

Expedition SO314 forms part of the large-scale European ERC Synergy Project T-SECTOR (Testing Solid Earth - Climate Connections), which investigates the links between processes in the atmosphere, the ocean, and the Earth’s interior. Alongside the ������Ƶ teams led by professors  Martin Frank, Heidrun Kopp and Kaj Hoernle, the project involves Professor Charles Langmuir from Harvard University (USA). Scientists from MARUM (the Centre for Marine Environmental Sciences at the University of Bremen) and the University of Hamburg are also participating in the expedition.

Expedition at a Glance:

Name: SO314
Chief Scientist: Professor Dr Martin Frank
Duration: 13 August – 5 October 2025
Departure Port: Papeete (Tahiti)
Arrival Port: Antofagasta (Chile)
Research Area: Southeast Pacific

After being welcomed by Prof. Dr Katja Matthes, Director of ������Ƶ, and Frank Spiekermann, the centre's Administrative Director, Dorothee Bär learned about current research projects on a tour with Dirk Schrödter, the Minister for Digital Affairs and Head of the State Chancellery in Schleswig-Holstein.

At the information point on marine CO₂ removal and storage, Prof. Dr Klaus Wallmann explained methods that could contribute to the long-term storage of greenhouse gases beneath the seabed. In the molecular genetics lab, Prof. Dr Thorsten Reusch and two Master’s students presented research on the evolutionary impacts of overfishing, using cod as an example. In the centre’s Ocean Research Technology Hall, Prof. Dr Laura Wallace and Dr Jens Karstens introduced a compact underwater observatory developed at ������Ƶ. This system – known as MOLA (Modular Ocean Lander) – enables real-time monitoring of earthquakes and tsunamis and supports the development of intelligent early warning systems. Dr Aaron Beck provided insights into the mapping and environmental implications of legacy munitions dumped at sea.

Another key topic in the discussion with the Minister was the construction of the new German research vessel METEOR IV, which will be based in Kiel from 2026 and operated by ������Ƶ as part of the national research fleet.

The Minister also visited the research vessel ALKOR, which is primarily deployed in the North Sea and the Baltic Sea, and crossed over to the western shore of Kiel to attend the official start of The Ocean Race Europe.

Federal Research Minister Dorothee Bär stated: “Oceans are critical to climate and biodiversity, but also vital as a source of food, a space for economic activity, and a habitat. We need science to protect and use the ocean sustainably. Germany is a leader in ocean research – and ������Ƶ is a prime example. It is one of the world’s leading institutions in this field. I am particularly pleased that ������Ƶ will operate the highly innovative new research vessel METEOR IV from 2026. We will ensure that ������Ƶ continues to deliver top-level ocean research with our full support.”

Minister Dirk Schrödter emphasised the importance of ������Ƶ in understanding the oceans and climate change, and praised the cooperation in addressing current environmental and marine protection challenges. He said: “The munitions on the ocean floor are a ticking time bomb for our environment. With state-of-the-art technologies such as AI and robotics, the maritime industry can contribute to defusing the situation and promote marine conservation, safety, growth and employment. The interaction between industry, science and administration is crucial here, and Schleswig-Holstein offers the best conditions for this.”

������Ƶ Director Prof. Dr Katja Matthes said: “We are delighted by the Minister’s interest in our work. It sends a strong signal about the growing importance of ocean research. We are investigating the alarming pace of change in the ocean and working on solutions to safeguard it as a foundation of life – both for humanity and for the marine ecosystem. Today’s exchange clearly showed that scientific innovation is high on the political agenda – and that there is a strong will to translate research into policy. That gives me great confidence.”

About: The Ocean Race Europe and the new observation buoy in Kiel Fjord

The Ocean Race Europe is a seven-week regatta that combines elite sailing with ocean protection. Participating yachts collect valuable scientific data along the way. In 2025, the race starts from Kiel for the first time, before moving on to Portsmouth, Matosinhos, Cartagena, Nice, Genoa, and finally Boka Bay in Montenegro.

������Ƶ is a scientific partner of the Ocean Race Europe and contributes to the programme with research outreach, interactive activities, film screenings, and open ship events on board the research vessel ALKOR.

To mark the occasion, ������Ƶ deployed a newly developed oceanographic surface buoy for testing in Kiel Fjord. The buoy stands 7.5 metres tall, weighs 3.5 tonnes, and is designed for long-term observation in the tropical Atlantic. From 2026, it will become part of the Cape Verde Ocean Observatory (CVOO) operated by ������Ƶ. Equipped with advanced sensors, the buoy measures CO₂ levels, temperature, salinity, wave activity and meteorological parameters. The aim is to better understand how climate change affects sensitive oceanic processes in the tropics – and how this, in turn, impacts the global climate system.

Racing yachts as data collectors

For the Ocean Race Europe, all participating sailing yachts are equipped with scientific measuring instruments that record important parameters such as water temperature and salinity, oxygen and CO2 concentration, microplastics and eDNA during the race. The collected data contribute to global ocean observation efforts and scientific studies.

Skipper Boris Herrmann and the German team of the racing yacht Malizia-Seaexplorer have been committed to protecting the ocean for many years. As part of their campaign ‘A Race We Must Win - Climate Action Now!’, they support science by collecting valuable data during their regattas - often in remote marine regions. They recently began operating a sailing ship, the Malizia Explorer, which has been specially converted for research and in which ������Ƶ is also involved as a partner. The long-standing collaboration between Boris Herrmann and Team Malizia and the ������Ƶ research centre has laid the foundation for the many links between German professional sailing and marine research that exist today.

Innovation from Kiel - an ocean of possibilities

The utilisation of sailing yachts as so-called ‘Ships of Opportunity’ is part of a comprehensive research approach at ������Ƶ. The innovation platform ‘Shaping an Ocean Of Possibilities’ (SOOP), which is funded by the Helmholtz Association, plays a central role in this. In line with the project title, an ‘ocean of opportunities’ is to be created for cooperation between science and industry with the aim of establishing structures and technologies for ocean observation, improving access to measurement data and thus expanding knowledge about our oceans.

������Ƶ at The Ocean Race Europe 2025

Sailing meets science: Pavilion in the OCEAN LIVE PARK

6-10 August 2025 
Wednesday and Thursday: 1 to 7 pm
Friday to Sunday: 10 am to 7 pm
Together with Team Malizia and SubCtech, ������Ƶ will show how science and sailing can go hand in hand: The sailing team Malizia shows how it combines top-class sport and data acquisition. SubCtech will present the resources required for this using the OceanPack-RACE demo device and provide general information on the topic of ‘Sailing meets Science’. ������Ƶ will provide information about the connection between sailing and marine research and protection.

(Pavilion in the Ocean Live Park on the Kiellinie, next to the sailing camp 24/7)

Open Ship on FS ALKOR

Saturday, 9 August 2025, 10 am to 5 pm
On Saturday, the RV ALKOR will lower the gangway for visitors. Interested visitors can take a look inside a research vessel and learn more about the work and life on board. Current research projects from the Baltic Sea and the world's oceans will be presented, along with hands-on experiments and much more.

(Admiralsbrücke, pier in front of the ������Ƶ Aquarium)

Programme:

• Plastic pollution on our beaches: Information and hands-on experiments
• Marine animals and plants from Kiel Fjord
• Guided tours of the Kiel benthokosms (starting at 12, 2 and 4 p.m.)
• Seagrass: A Baltic Sea multitool
• How do scientists track fish movements in the ocean?
• Tiny but essential: Plankton in the ocean
• 3D model of the Kolumbo undersea volcano: How are volcanoes explored?
• Bombs, mines and shells: The dangers of legacy munitions in the sea
• What happens at the air-sea interface?

‘Female Heroes of the Sea’ on stage at Reventlouwiese

Friday, 8 August, 1:30 p.m.
Saturday, 9 August, 1:30 p.m.

Host Kristin Recke welcomes ������Ƶ scientist Sylvia Sander and offshore sailors Kerstin Zillmer and Kiki van Leeuwen.

(Main stage on Reventlouwiese)

New research project on the state of the Baltic Sea in ACO's Waterdome

The company ACO is represented with a ‘W���ٱ����dz���’ on the Reventlou Bridge and provides information about water filtration and treatment. ACO is a network partner in the new German-Danish Interreg project RECOVER, which is presented by ������Ƶ scientist Helmke Hepach. The project aims to assess the environmental status of the western Baltic Sea and to evaluate protective measures in Germany and Denmark in a comparative manner – with the help of a newly renovated traditional sailing ship, among other things, which will be used for measurement trips.

(Waterdome on the Reventlou Bridge)

GAME at the Ocean Summit

The international Master's student programme GAME will be represented on the Ocean Summit area with interactive information about its global research and education activities.

(Reventlouwiese)

CDRmare at the marine conservation camp

6-10 August 2025
Wednesday to Friday: 1 to 7 pm
Saturday and Sunday: 10 am to 7 pm

The marine carbon removal mission  will present an experiment on ocean alkalinity enhancement and offer a wealth of information in the pagodas of the Ocean Protection Camp in front of the Parliament building.

Screenings in the Ocean Dome

Experience 360° films in the immersive .

Live lecture: A walk across the seabed

Wednesday, 6 August, 3:30 p.m.

Multimedia lecture by ������Ƶ scientist Tom Kwasnitschka

"A Traveller's Guide to the Seafloor"
Thursday, 7 August, 5 pm – premiere
Saturday, 9 August, 6 pm
Sunday, 10 August, 1:30 pm and 6:30 pm

A premiere at The Ocean Race: ������Ƶ’s Tom Kwasnitschka presents his latest Dome production.

"Drones of the Deep"
Thursday, 7 August, 1:30 pm
Friday, 8 August, 1:15 pm and 5:45 pm
Saturday, 9 August, 5:15 pm
Sunday, 10 August, 4:45 pm

CDRmare Talk
Thursday, 7 August, 3:45 pm

Participate online via: 

Three scientists talk about the topic of ocean-based CO₂ removal. The audience is warmly invited to join the debate: Binding CO₂ - protecting the climate: Are oceans part of the solution? What do we already know, and what do we still need to find out as a society? With Anna Anschütz, Mirco Wölfelschneider and Lukas Tank, and moderated by Michael Sswat.

(Ocean Dome at the Kiellinie)

CVOO buoy at the Admiralspier

An 7.5 metre high measuring buoy, intended for the Cape Verde Ocean Observatory (CVOO), lies in the Kiel Fjord for test purposes during the Ocean Race.

(Admiral's Bridge, pier in front of the ������Ƶ Aquarium)

Same viruses at both poles – an unexpected finding

The international research team, coordinated by ������Ƶ, found that the composition of virus communities in the Arctic Ocean is strongly seasonal – and also unexpectedly similar to viruses in the Southern Ocean, surrounding Antarctica. This challenges the view that polar virus populations should differ markedly between the northern and southern hemispheres. Notably, the same viral groups were not found in warmer regions.

“It was completely unexpected to find such similar viral patterns at both poles, despite the huge geographical distance between them,” says Alyzza Calayag, marine ecologist at ������Ƶ and lead author of the study. “Understanding how this similarity arises is one of the big questions for future research.”

A multiannual viral catalogue

Samples for the study were collected in the Arctic using automated water samplers at the HAUSGARTEN Observatory, operated by the Alfred Wegener Institute (AWI). Over four years (2016–2020), the devices continuously collected seawater samples in the Fram Strait – the ocean passage between Greenland and Svalbard.

To detect viruses, the researchers searched millions of long DNA sequences with computational tools that identify viral DNA signatures. This enabled detecting viruses both inside of and attached to bacteria. The team also applied network analysis techniques to link specific viruses to their preferred hosts.

To determine whether these viruses also occur beyond the Arctic, the team compared their findings to global metagenomic datasets – that is, environmental DNA collected from various ocean regions. They found that 42 per cent of the Arctic viruses also appear in Antarctic waters.

Summer surge: 30 viruses per bacterium

Another striking result was the dramatic seasonal difference in virus abundance and composition. “In winter, the number of viruses and bacteria was roughly equal” explains Calayag. “But in summer, especially between August and September, virus numbers surged. On average, we found 30 viruses for every single bacterium.”

This sharp seasonal peak had gone unnoticed until now, because previous studies lack the context of continuous ecosystem observation utilized in the study, and do not sample during the dark winter periods.

Calayag adds: “We see that both the abundance and the composition of the viral communities shift with the seasons. Different environmental conditions lead to the dominance of different virus types – and these in turn have distinct effects on the microbial food web.”

Viruses specifically infect certain bacteria, regulating their growth and spread. In doing so, they shape nutrient cycling and energy flow in the ocean.

Climate change could reshape polar microbial dynamics

This delicate microbial balance could be disrupted by climate change. “As temperature, salinity or sea ice cover change, so do the living conditions for viruses,” says Calayag. “Cold-adapted viruses could be displaced, and new types may emerge. This would affect the entire ecological interplay in polar waters. That’s why viruses are important early indicators of change in the polar oceans.”

Original Publication:

Calayag, A., Priest, T., Oldenburg, E., Muschiol, J., Popa, O., Wietz, M. & Needham, D. M. (2025): Arctic Ocean virus communities and their seasonality, bipolarity, and prokaryotic associations, Nature Communications.

Funding:

Helmholtz Association via a Young Investigator Grant and the HAUSGARTEN/FRAM infrastructure program

"The aim of the project is to produce hydrogen using saltwater electrolysis in an environmentally friendly and cost-effective way - but with optimised efficiency and less use of chemical catalysts,” says Dr Mirjam Perner. She is Professor of Geomicrobiology at ������Ƶ Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel and is leading the project together with Prof. Dr Jana Schloesser, Professor of Materials Engineering at Kiel University of Applied Sciences, and Florian Gerdts, lead process engineer at the Kiel-based technology company Element22.

Challenges of electrolysis with salt water

Up to now, electrolysis has required purified fresh water, as it contains neither salts nor minerals and therefore protects the electrolysis system from corrosion. However, only 2.5 per cent of the world's water reserves are fresh water. Furthermore, the desalination and purification of salt water causes additional costs that could be avoided by utilising seawater directly. As part of the SalYsAse project, the scientists want to utilise salt water directly from the sea. This presents them with a number of challenges: The salt it contains can produce toxic chlorine gas during the electrolysis of seawater. "Faster corrosion of the electrodes or undesirable side reactions can also occur. We want to prevent this by using suitable materials in combination with the microorganisms," says materials expert Jana Schloesser.

Efficient catalysts and membranes

In order to be able to utilise the seawater, the researchers want to use marine microbes, i.e. bacteria, in addition to conventional catalyst layers. The microbes come from the Baltic and North Sea, as they are best adapted to the conditions of salt water. Mirjam Perner explains: "The chemical element iridium is often used as a catalyst as it is very resistant to corrosion. However, it is rare and therefore only available in limited quantities. That's why we want to use biocatalysts in the form of microbes." The microbes should help to reduce or even circumvent the challenges posed by the use of salt water.

The project team is also using suitable materials for the membrane, which separates hydrogen and oxygen during electrolysis, and the porous transport layer. "The special feature of SalYsAse is that the porous transport layer not only conducts the current and the reaction media. We design it in such a way that this layer also acts as a carrier for the microbes. This means that biological catalysis takes place directly in the electrolysis cell - an exciting approach that brings together materials science and life sciences," says Florian Gerdts. The project participants want to use porous titanium structures for this, as titanium is particularly resistant to corrosion, which is essential for use in seawater.

In future, the entire process is to take place where the electricity is already generated: at offshore wind turbines. In this way, the scientists avoid having to transport the electricity to the mainland first. This route is expensive and energy is lost. Instead, clean, climate-neutral hydrogen is produced on site. This can be transported onwards efficiently and used in energy-intensive industries such as steel and chemical production, for example.

Background: Hydrogen as the energy source of the future

In order to replace fossil fuels, more renewable energies will be used in the future and sustainable energy sources will be required. Hydrogen plays an important role in this context, as it can be easily stored and transported. Hydrogen as an energy carrier thus enables the coupling of various sectors - from industry and mobility to energy supply.  Green hydrogen is particularly efficient and conserves resources. Hydrogen is considered green if it is produced by electrolysis using electricity from renewable sources such as solar or wind energy. This process does not produce any greenhouse gases. Hydrogen produced by seawater electrolysis at windy locations can be used in industry or heavy goods transport, for example.

Funding:

The Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space (BMFTR) is funding the project with a total of 733,000 euros over a period of three years.

Partners:

The project partners are Kiel University of Applied Sciences, coordinated by the Kiel University of Applied Sciences Research and Development Centre GmbH, and the technology company Element22 GmbH from Kiel, which manufactures the titanium components for this project. SalYsAse is linked to CAPTN Energy, an innovation alliance in Schleswig-Holstein that utilises renewable energies for maritime applications.

Using Citizen Science to Fill Data Gaps in the Mediterranean

The project team uses this citizen-sourced data, in compliance with data-protection regulations, to monitor and record temperature changes across different parts of the Mediterranean Sea and from coastal regions worldwide. Dr. Christophe Galerne and Prof. Achim Kopf, both from MARUM at the University of Bremen, Dr. Rebecca Zitoun from ������Ƶ Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel, and Arne Schwab from Schwab Research Technology are leading the project.

Underwater Sensors: Calibration at Reference Dive Sites

To improve the quality of the collected data and ensure that temperature readings from the different dive computers are comparable, BlueDOT has installed permanent high-precision temperature sensors at selected reference dive sites on the Costa Brava, Heligoland, and the Maltese island of Gozo. These permanently deployed sensors record the temperature at various depths, allowing scientists to calibrate the data collected from dive computers against consistent, high-resolution measurements. To support this effort, BlueDOT is collaborating with two diving centers in Spain and Malta. These centers play a key role in engaging the diving community, raising awareness about the project, and helping to test and maintain the sensors.

Global Potential: Six Million Divers Worldwide

According to Christophe Galerne, the use of the sensors increases the accuracy of the database, “which creates a more reliable basis for research and helps to develop an optimal approach for the global expansion of the project in the long term.” These diver-sourced data are an important complement to existing ocean-monitoring platforms such as satellite observations, Argo floats, and hydrographic surveys. “With an estimated six million active scuba divers worldwide, this citizen science initiative represents a huge potential for enhancing climate research through widespread, community-driven observations of ocean temperature.”

The project is funded by the BMFTR – Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space, began in December 2024 and is initially scheduled to run for about 18 months. This serves as a test phase to develop the best approach for a possible global expansion.

Warming with Consequences: How Rising Sea Temperatures Affect Us

The team has already evaluated diving data from the Mediterranean Sea. As Galerne expected, these indicate that average ocean temperatures are rising steadily. The water masses of the oceans act as heat reservoirs that interact with the atmosphere and thus influence the climate. If this system becomes unstable with the continued warming of surface water, it could lead to intensified evaporation and, ultimately, regionally limited extreme precipitation events in the surrounding areas. Galerne explains that the associated rain belt has continuously shifted farther northward over the past 20 years, leading to sporadic droughts as well as heavy rainfall and flooding.

More Than Just Summer Data – Why Every Season Counts

“The constant warming and increasing frequency of marine heatwaves also have significant implications for biodiversity and the ecosystem services our oceans provide, making these phenomena a critical factor to consider in both research and management. There presently exists what is known as sampling bias in the data. This is exhibited by a clear predominance of data obtained during the warmer months and the holiday seasons. In order to be able to establish an average value, we would like to encourage divers to enter their data – including older data – into our portal and also to record and upload data from cooler seasons,” says Galerne. By filling these seasonal gaps, divers can play a crucial role in building a completer and more accurate picture of how ocean temperatures are changing throughout the year.

The project is officially endorsed by the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development.

A lack of research infrastructure and training opportunities hampers effective responses to these challenges and makes it difficult to take well-informed, independent decisions for the sustainable management of marine ecosystems. In 2004, capacity gaps and research priorities were discussed in an international scientific exchange, and in 2006 the first land- and sea-based infrastructures were established to enable oceanographic research on site. For example, Cabo Verde’s first ocean time series station was set up, the Cape Verde Ocean Observatory (CVOO), which provides valuable data on the impacts of climate change on the ocean in the region.

Ocean Science Centre Mindelo as a Global Hub for Research and Exchange

This collaboration led to the opening of the Ocean Science Centre Mindelo (OSCM) in 2017. The OSCM serves as a central point not only for national and international researchers, but also promotes knowledge exchange between society, policy, and science. “The centre is operated locally by scientists and technicians from Cabo Verde, who have contributed to and benefited from the bilateral partnership since the beginning,” says Cordula Zenk from ������Ƶ, coordinator of the German-Cabo Verdean cooperation, who managed the establishment of the OSCM together with the Cape Verdean colleagues.The OSCM is jointly managed by the Cape Verdean partner institute Instituto do Mar (IMar) and ������Ƶ, ensuring the integration of regional and international perspectives and the ongoing development of the network.

Ivanice Monteiro, who joined the partnership as a student and now leads the OSCM laboratories, emphasizes the transformative impact: “This partnership gave me and many of my colleagues the opportunity to build and apply our knowledge and skills in marine research here in Cabo Verde. It’s incredibly fulfilling to see how we now operate the OSCM together with our German partners and make an independent, real contribution to our country and the entire region.”

International Master’s Program on Climate Change and Marine Sciences

The Oceanography article also highlights academic education and the development of a network of young West African scientists, in which ������Ƶ plays a key role. A major milestone in 2019 was the establishment of an international Master’s program on Climate Change and Marine Sciences at the Universidade Técnica do Atlântico (UTA) in Mindelo. The program is part of the WASCAL initiative (West African Science Service Centre on Climate Change and Adapted Land-Use), funded by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF), and has since been officially recognized as a UN Decade of Ocean Science project. Students from a total of 12 West African countries are participating. In addition to their studies in Mindelo, they complete a research stay in Germany and take part in practical shipboard training, the “WASCAL Floating University.”

“The network now includes more than 50 young researchers and continues to grow. Some alumni pursue doctoral research, while others are already working in public or private institutions in their home countries,” says Dr. Björn Fiedler, lead author of the article and scientific coordinator of the OSCM. “We firmly believe that the challenges caused by climate change in West Africa can only be tackled jointly. This requires long-term initiatives that enable shared use of research infrastructure and knowledge across national borders.”

One such initiative is the FUTURO project coordinated by ������Ƶ, a large-scale international research campaign in West Africa involving seven West African countries to be conducted toward the end of this decade. “In addition to a year-long ship expedition aboard the new METEOR IV, the campaign will focus on the joint development and implementation of the research activities in close cooperation with our West African partners, including the growing network of early-career scientists,” says Prof Dr Arne Körtzinger, Chemical Oceanographer and scientific coordinator of the FUTURO project.

Publication:
Fiedler, B., Monteiro, I., Almeida, C., Zenk, C., Silva, P., Karstensen, J., Rodrigues, E., Vieira, N., Pinto-Almeida, A., Lima, E., Hahn, T., Koné, D., Rodrigues, Y., & Körtzinger, A. (2025). 20 Years of Partnership in Marine Sciences Between Cabo Verde and Germany: From Ideas, Opportunities, and Observations to Long-Term and Sustained Capacity Sharing. Oceanography, 38(1).

"No one really knows how much ammunition lies on the seafloor. But we have a responsibility to remove it - safely, efficiently and in an environmentally friendly way. After years of preparatory work, the CAMMera project now focuses on practical implementation. The aim is to further develop methods and technologies in order to recover old munitions on an industrial scale and thus set an international example," says Professor Dr Jens Greinert, head of the project, marine geologist and expert on old munitions at ������Ƶ.

Strategies for Safe and Environmentally Friendly Disposal

In previous projects, experts have already identified strategies for dealing with old munitions. These technologies will now be further developed. Autonomous and unmanned underwater vehicles are helping to recover objects directly from the sea floor. The project partners are also working on methods for the environmentally friendly disposal of open explosives and broken shells, automatic monitoring of clearance sites and disposal on an industrial scale. The results will be used to develop and provide examples of best practice.

A total of seven project objectives were defined:

1. Develop gripping robots: The aim is to develop and test an unmanned vehicle that can efficiently clear munitions piles both from the water surface and directly underwater.

2. Salvage of large or damaged munitions: The project aims to develop environmentally friendly methods for retrieving heavily corroded munitions with exposed explosives.

3. Security and protection concept: Since ammunition dumps are often located in coastal, heavily trafficked areas frequented by tourists and may even be potential targets for hostile action, the focus is on developing a comprehensive protection concept. It should help to identify risks at an early stage and enable safe, transparent clearance process.

4. Automation of pre-sorting: The project is working on the design of an automated dismantling system that can sort and cut up small and medium-calibre ammunition directly at sea for thermal destruction. This addresses a key bottleneck in automation – in particular the opening of boxes, the pre-sorting of small-calibre ammunition and the dismantling of medium-sized ammunition.

5. Aftercare and monitoring: The goal is to systematically check cleared areas to ensure that no munitions remain in the sediment or that the targeted level of clearance has been achieved. In addition, environmental monitoring will be set up to protect water and sediments from contaminants.

6. Knowledge consolidation: The experts analyse national and international projects on munitions clearance and consolidate the findings in a comprehensive guideline.

7. Economic feasibility: The project is developing viable business models and economic analyses to shape munitions clearance in European seas in the long term.

Background: Hazard on the sea floor

After the end of the Second World War, munitions were dumped in the sea – and most of them are still there. Old munitions on the seafloor can be potentially harmful to the ocean. Explosive chemicals such as TNT or toxic substances such as mercury and lead accumulate in fish and mussels, for example. They have a carcinogenic effect and can alter genetic material. As corrosion progresses, these substances are released more quickly. Rising temperatures and storms, which are partly caused by climate change, accelerate the decay of ammunition. Individual unexploded ordnance has already been removed, for example when wind turbines or data cables are built in the sea. The CAMMera project focuses on preparing for the large-scale clearance of entire munitions dumps. Thousands of ammunition crates, sea mines and other objects are stored in large quantities and in confined spaces.

Background: Projects on munitions in the sea at ������Ƶ

Researchers at ������Ƶ have already carried out several successful projects on munitions in the sea in recent years. The knowledge gained is now being incorporated into the CAMMera project. 

From 2019 to 2022, the ExPloTect (Ex-situ, near-real-time exPlosive compound deTection in seawater) project developed technologies to detect chemicals originating from dumped munitions.

In parallel, the BASTA project (Boost Applied munition detection through Smart data inTegration and AI workflows) developed strategies for collecting and analysing data on old munitions in the sea.

As part of the CONMAR project (CONcepts for conventional MArine Munition Remediation in the German North and Baltic Sea), the participants are pooling their knowledge about risks, strategies and approaches for dealing with old munitions. The project entered its second phase in 2024 and is scheduled to run until 2027. CONMAR is one of several joint projects of the DAM research mission sustainMare.

Funding:

The CAMMera project is scheduled to run for three years and is funded by the European Union within the Pilot Projects and Preparatory Actions programme (PPPA) with 5.6 million euros.

“The deep ocean and its inhabitants do not exist in isolation from life on land. Pelagic animals help regulate our climate, cycle nutrients and sustain fisheries. If and how these animals adapt is a mounting concern and understanding their responses to change is critical to managing a healthy planet,” says Vaness Stenvers.

Contact: media(at)geomar.de

The AL635 expedition is part of the Interreg 6A project PlastTrack (Technological platform for micro- and nanoplastics tracking), in which ������Ƶ Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel is collaborating with the Alfred Wegener Institute Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research (AWI) and the University of Southern Denmark (SDU), among others. The aim of the project is to record plastic pollution caused by micro and nanoplastic particles (MNP) in the Baltic Sea and to test and further develop new methods.

In the sea, plastic particles are found both on the surface and at the bottom of the deepest oceans, and ocean currents transport them all over the world. Thousands of tons of plastic end up in the Baltic Sea every year. Sampling showed microplastics in 28 percent of all fish examined. Tiny plastic particles (microplastics) are produced for various consumer applications, such as cleaning agents, or come from the decomposition processes of larger pieces of plastic. When they decompose into nanoplastics, they can also penetrate cell membranes and thus enter the bodies of living organisms directly.

Methods for sampling plastic particles

During the expedition, various methods will be used to sample microplastics. For example, the Neuston catamaran can be used to take samples near the water surface, as some plastic particles are light and float in salt water. Other instruments can take sinking particles from deeper water layers or filter different particle sizes from the water. Some of the samples are analyzed directly on board using special cameras or spectroscopic measurements. Further methods are then used in the laboratories at home to analyze very small particles in particular. 

Challenges in detecting micro- and nanoplastics

Expedition leader Prof. Dr. Anja Engel, Professor of Biological Oceanography and Head of the Marine Biogeochemistry Research Unit at ������Ƶ, explains: "Nano-particles are 1000 times smaller than microplastics and can no longer be seen with the naked eye. We are currently unable to identify nanoparticles in the environment because there is a lack of standardized methods for sampling these small particles, especially in the sea. In the PlastTrack project, we are working on solutions and methods to detect microplastics and nanoplastics in the environment more quickly and in a more targeted way," says Anja Engel.

From Kiel via Flensburg to Sonderburg and Apenrade

The route runs clockwise through the German-Danish border region of the western Baltic Sea: after starting in Kiel, the ALKOR will sail along the Schleswig-Holstein coast to the Flensburg Fjord. The northernmost stop will be Apenrade, before sailing around the Danish island of Als and along the Schleswig-Holstein coast back to Kiel. 
There will be a stopover in Sonderburg on Friday, July 4. In the afternoon, the research vessel will moor at the pier in front of the Multikulturhuset cultural center, where there will be an exhibition and a hands-on station. Anyone interested is invited to find out more about the researchers' work.
 

Background: PlastTrack

The PlastTrack project is funded by the European Union as part of Interreg Deutschland-Danmark with around 1.74 million. ������Ƶ is collaborating with the Mads Clausen Institute and the Danish Molecular Biomedical Imaging Center from Denmark, as well as the Alfred Wegener Institute Helmholtz Center for Polar and Marine Research (AWI). Since 2023, the researchers have been investigating the dangers of plastic pollution for humans and the environment and developing instruments to combat it. The aim is to create an open platform that compares and evaluates the data collected. For example, new tools will help to improve sampling and monitor the transformation and degradation of materials.

The expedition at a glance:

Name: ALKOR AL635 (as part of PlastTrack)

Expedition leader: Prof. Dr. Anja Engel

Period: 30.06.2025 – 11.07.2025

Start and end: Kiel

Cruising area: Western Baltic Sea

For ������Ƶ, the LITTORINA is an important research vessel that is used intensively in the shallow coastal waters of the North and Baltic Seas. “It is used almost every day. In the long term, we need the ability to cast off directly from our quay in order to collect important data for the protection of the Baltic Sea," explains Professor Dr Katja Matthes, Director of ������Ƶ.

"50 years is a remarkable age for a research vessel. The fact that the LITTORINA is still in such reliable service is truly exceptional,‘ says ������Ƶ Ship Coordinator Dr Klas Lackschewitz, reflecting on the 1970s: ’At that time, marine research in Germany was experiencing a major boom, especially here in Kiel." In 1972, the then Institute of Oceanography at Kiel University moved into its new building on the western shore of the Kiel Fjord, directly on the Kiellinie. The Collaborative Research Centre 95 of the German Research Foundation (DFG) paved the way for numerous scientific breakthroughs. In order to conduct research independently of other ships, the DFG approved the construction of its own research cutter (FK). On 27 June 1975, the time had come: FK LITTORINA was officially put into service.

Periwinkle snail as namesake

The cutter was built at the Julius Dietrich shipyard in Oldersum at a cost of 3.4 million Deutsche Marks. The name LITTORINA symbolises the close cooperation between marine biology and marine geology. The periwinkle Littorina littorea, one of the most common sea snails, lends its name to the 'Littorina Sea', which was an early stage in the development of the Baltic Sea between 8,500 and 2,500 years ago.

Following the conclusion of the Collaborative Research Centre, responsibility for the cutter was assumed by the CAU. Currently, Kiel University and ������Ƶ share the personnel and operating costs. Dr Klas Lackschewitz is responsible for coordinating LITTORINA's operations on behalf of ������Ƶ, which are currently managed by Briese Shipping from Leer. “The professionalism of the ship's crew is a key factor in enabling the LITTORINA to undertake so many missions,” emphasises Klas Lackschewitz.

Versatile work platform

The LITTORINA is highly versatile. Although it is most frequently used in the coastal waters of the North and Baltic Seas, it can also operate as far as the Lofoten Islands off the coast of Norway. It can collect water and sediment samples from depths of up to 500 metres. It is also equipped with a special diving room and a robust work dinghy. Training courses for research divers, who have been trained at the Kiel University for over 50 years, as well as scientific work by the Institute of Geosciences at the CAU, take place on board the LITTORINA regularly.

Monthly ������Ƶ cruises to the Boknis Eck time series station at the mouth of Eckernförde Bay form an integral part of the LITTORINA's schedule. Since 1957, oxygen content, nutrient concentration, plankton growth and other biological, chemical and physical parameters have been continuously measured there. This makes the Boknis Eck station one of the longest continuously sampled marine stations in the world.

The shrinking of the cod population, in terms of both number and in size, is the result of human influence. In their new study, scientists from the ������Ƶ Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel have demonstrated for the first time that decades of intense fishing, combined with environmental change, have profoundly affected the genetic make-up of a fully marine species. Their findings are published today in the journal Science Advances.

“Selective overexploitation has altered the genome of Eastern Baltic cod,” explains Dr Kwi Young Han, first author of the study and a biologist who completed her PhD in the Marine Evolutionary Ecology group at ������Ƶ about this topic. “We see this in the significant decline in average size, which we could link to reduced growth rates. For the first time in a fully marine species, we have provided evidence of evolutionary changes in the genomes of a fish population subjected to intense exploitation, which has pushed the population to the brink of collapse.”

Specifically, the researchers identified genetic variants associated with body growth that showed signs of directional selection — that is to say, they became systematically more or less frequent over time. These regions overlap strikingly with genes known to play a role in growth and reproduction. The study also found that a known chromosomal inversion, a structural change in the genome commonly relevant to environmental adaptation, followed a directional selection pattern. This confirms that the “shrinking” of cod has a genetic basis and that human activities have left a measurable mark on their DNA.

Strong directional selection for slow growth due to fishing pressure

To reach these conclusions, the researchers used an unusual archive: the tiny ear stones (otoliths) of 152 cod, caught in the Bornholm Basin between 1996 and 2019. Much like tree rings, otoliths record annual growth, making them valuable biological timekeepers. These samples are part of ������Ƶ’s Baltic Sea Integrative Long-Term Data Series, which has been collecting annual data since 1996. This dataset enabled the scientists to conduct a genetic time-travel exercise stretching back to the period before the collapse of the Eastern Baltic cod population.

Using a combination of chemical otolith analysis and high-resolution DNA sequencing, the researchers investigated how cod growth and genetic composition have changed over 25 years under fishing pressure.

Their central finding was that the genomes of fast- and slow-growing individuals differ systematically, and that the fast growers have nearly disappeared. Cod that grow slowly but reach reproductive maturity at a smaller size have had a survival advantage under high fishing pressure.

“When the largest individuals are consistently removed from the population over many years, smaller, faster-maturing fish gain an evolutionary advantage,” explains Prof. Dr Thorsten Reusch, Head of the Marine Ecology Research Division at ������Ƶ and Dr Han’s PhD supervisor. “What we are observing is evolution in action, driven by human activity. This is scientifically fascinating, but ecologically deeply concerning.”

Smaller and less diverse populations recover more slowly

The evolutionary consequences are severe. Genetic variants associated with faster growth and later maturation may already be lost, and the surviving cod now reach maturity at smaller sizes and produce fewer offspring. It also means a loss of adaptive potential with implications for the population under future environmental changes.

“Evolutionary change unfolds over many generations,” says Reusch. “Recovery takes far longer than decline, and it may not even be possible. This is evident in our 2025 length data from the current ALKOR cruise: despite the fishing ban, there’s no sign of a rebound in body size.”

The study underscores a clear message: management and protection measures must consider generational timescales. “Our results demonstrate the profound impact of human activities on wild populations, even at the level of their DNA,” says Dr Han. “They also highlight that sustainable fisheries are not only an economic issue, but also a matter of conserving biodiversity, including genetic resources.”

About: Eastern Baltic Cod

The Eastern Baltic cod population is native to the central Baltic Sea and belongs to the species Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua). It diverged 7,000 to 8,000 years ago when the Baltic Sea formed due to post-glacial sea level changes. Today, it differs biologically and genetically from other Atlantic cod populations, such as Western Baltic and North Sea cod. It is adapted to the Baltic’s unique conditions: low salinity, high carbon dioxide, widespread oxygen depletion, and extreme seasonal temperature fluctuations.

Since the mid-1990s, the stock’s condition has deteriorated significantly. Spawning stock biomass (fish over 35 cm) has declined sharply, and two major spawning areas have been lost due to deteriorating environmental conditions. The Bornholm Basin is now the last remaining spawning ground. In recent years, the size at maturity and condition of the fish have dropped to record lows, with L50 values (the length at which 50% of the population is mature) falling below 20 centimetres. The collapse of the stock prompted a complete fishing ban in 2019, which remains in place — yet recovery has so far failed to materialise.

Original Publication:

Han, K.Y., Brennan, R.S., Monk. C.T., Jentoft, S., Helmerson, C., Dierking, J., Hüssy, K., Endo Kokubun, E., Fuss, J., Krause-Kyora, B., Thomsen, T.B., Heredia, B.D., Reusch, Th. B.H. (2025): Genomic Evidence of Fisheries Induced Evolution in Eastern Baltic cod. Science Advances

Funding and award:

Kwi Young Han’s PhD research was funded by the DFG Research Training Group TransEvo. She received the € 5,000 Research Prize from the „Forschungsstiftung Ostsee“ for her dissertation.

Shedding Light on the “Dark Matter” of Life

Traditionally, the discovery of new enzymes has relied on the direct analysis of environmental samples. Microorganisms were isolated and tested for their biochemical properties. While this approach has led to significant discoveries, such as the identification of penicillin in 1928, it has several limitations.

“Many organisms cannot be cultivated in the laboratory, meaning their enzymes remain inaccessible,” explains Dr Erik Borchert, marine microbiologist at ������Ƶ and coordinator of AI MareExplore. Since the late 1990s, metagenomics has made it possible to analyse all the DNA in environmental samples comprehensively. However, even this method has its limitations, as only around 30-40% of the detected sequences can be linked to known functions. “We know that there's a lot more out there – a kind of functional ‘dark matter’ that eludes current analytical approaches,” says Borchert.

This is where AI comes in. By identifying patterns in huge data sets, AI can reveal sequences that are likely to have biocatalytic functions, which would otherwise remain unknown. Borchert elaborates: “AI helps us uncover these hidden treasures because it is excellent at recognising patterns. With the right training, it can discover links between DNA sequences and enzymatic properties that are invisible to us.”

Interdisciplinary Research for Sustainable Solutions

AI MareExplore brings together four Helmholtz Centres and a variety of scientific disciplines. Alongside ������Ƶ, the Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research (UFZ) and the Forschungszentrum Jülich (FZJ) are involved, as well as the GFZ Helmholtz Centre for Geosciences. The team is developing a powerful AI model with two key objectives: to identify enzymes that can efficiently degrade plastics and those that convert CO₂ into sugars, thereby aiding carbon fixation.

The AI model will be trained using extensive marine metagenomic datasets collected in recent years. The larger the dataset, the more accurate the model will be. The next step will be to test in the laboratory whether the identified enzymes have the desired properties. “Our goal is to develop not only a novel analytical method, but also tangible biocatalysts that can help address global environmental challenges,” says Borchert.

About: Helmholtz Innovation Pool Projects

The project is funded by the Helmholtz Association’s Innovation Pool. The Innovation Pool’s aim for the Earth and Environment research field is to strengthen cooperation between Helmholtz Centres, to promote innovative ideas within three-year projects, to support initiatives by early-career researchers and to enable flexible responses to new and socially relevant research topics.

Seagrass meadows are true all-rounders: They create a three-dimensional habitat for many marine organisms, offering both shelter and food. They improve water quality and store carbon dioxide (CO₂) long-term in the sediment, in their roots and rhizomes. Additionally, they protect coastlines by slowing down waves and stabilizing sandy seabeds with their roots.

Like coral reefs, seagrass meadows are vital ecosystems and habitats in the ocean and are therefore essential for marine biodiversity. However, they are also sensitive to external influences such as excess nutrients, increasing human use of coastal areas, and ongoing warming. The result: in many regions, seagrass populations are declining. This makes it all the more important to protect and restore these meadows. NGOs and citizens are contributing by replanting seagrass in coastal areas of the Baltic Sea.

At ������Ƶ Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel, scientists are studying how seagrass can be restored, how climate-resilient seagrass can be cultivated, and how much CO₂ is stored in Baltic Sea seagrass meadows.

Jana Willim is a doctoral researcher in the Marine Evolutionary Ecology research unit at ������Ƶ Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research. Her research focuses particularly on restoration measures and the adaptation processes of seagrass to environmental stressors.

Florian Schütte: „The ocean absorbs over 90 per cent of the excess heat“.

Since the beginning of industrialisation, mankind has had a massive impact on the Earth's natural heat balance by burning fossil fuels. Since then, the ocean has absorbed more than 90 per cent of the additional heat released. This means that the oceans act as a buffer, without which the earth would already be much warmer today.

However, this extreme warming of the oceans also has many negative consequences: The higher temperatures of the water surface, can lead to increased evaporation - and thus regionally to more precipitation. In tropical regions, the warmer sea surface also favours the development and intensification of tropical cyclones.

In addition, the warming and increased stratification of the upper water layers reduces the mixing of the water. This has an impact on the supply of oxygen and nutrients to living organisms - and therefore on the marine ecosystem. Last but not least, ocean warming contributes to the melting of ice, particularly in the Antarctic and Greenland. This in turn accelerates sea level rise. By the end of the century, an average rise of 50 to 100 centimetres can be expected. Even if we were to stop emitting greenhouse gases now, sea levels would continue to rise for several centuries, as the climate system reacts slowly to such changes.

Florian Schütte is Junior Professor of Physical Oceanography at the ������Ƶ Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel. His research interests include the physical observation of oceanic eddies, which can be found throughout the world's oceans.

Morelia Urlaub: "We monitor volcanic slopes under water".

Just like on land, underwater slopes can also begin to slide. However, the scale of submarine landslides often far exceeds those on land. Around one quarter of all tsunamis are triggered by underwater landslides. The causes of such submarine slope failures are still poorly understood, and the dynamic processes on the seafloor remain insufficiently explored. This is mainly because the traces of landslides lie hidden under several hundred or even thousands of meters of water – and the layer that initially gives way is usually destroyed in the process.

Comprehensive mapping of the seafloor using autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) and targeted long-term monitoring aim to close these knowledge gaps. For example, acoustic seafloor positioning networks are being deployed. These consist of several autonomous transponders that communicate with each other. By measuring the travel time of acoustic signals, the distance between the devices can be determined with centimeter accuracy. If the signal travel time changes (for example, due to a slope failure), the relative movements between devices can be calculated.

The goal of this research is to develop an early warning system on the seafloor to collect real-time data on earthquakes, ground movements, and volcanic activity. This would enable reliable monitoring of submarine volcanoes.

Morelia Urlaub is a junior professor of Marine Geomechanics at ������Ƶ Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research and Kiel University. Her research focuses on submarine natural hazards, particularly those caused by slope instabilities and underwater landslides. She investigates these processes through long-term seafloor observations and numerical modeling.

Amavi Silva: „The ocean is our planet's biggest carbon storage“.

The ocean is our ally in the fight against climate change. Since the beginning of industrialization, the ocean has absorbed around a quarter of the carbon dioxide (CO₂) released by human activities. This natural buffering effect has significantly slowed global warming. But CO₂ uptake comes at a high cost: the ocean water is becoming more acidic.

CO₂ enters the ocean at the surface, where it dissolves from the air into the seawater. Whether and how much CO₂ is absorbed depends primarily on the difference in what’s called the CO₂ partial pressure between the atmosphere and the surface ocean. Put simply, this is the pressure generated by the CO2 dissolved in the surface water and the CO2 in the atmosphere. The natural gas exchange between ocean and atmosphere always works to balance out this pressure difference.

At ������Ƶ, researchers are exploring ways to increase the ocean’s ability to absorb CO₂ in the future – in order to help meet international climate goals and offset unavoidable emissions. The top priority on the path to climate neutrality is and remains the avoidance of emissions.

Amavi Silva is a marine biogeochemist (postdoc) at ������Ƶ Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel. Her research aims to understand the dynamics of the sea surface microlayer – the ocean’s ‘skin’ that controls the air-sea exchange of CO₂.

As the lead scientific partner, the ������Ƶ Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel contributes its extensive expertise to the conference. Together with partners from current research projects – MUNI-RISK, MMinE-SwEEPER, Validity, SAM, BorDEx, MUNIMAP, ErovMUs and REMARCO – ������Ƶ researchers will present the latest scientific knowledge in talks and in the accompanying exhibition.

Geomar has laid the scientific foundations for munitions recovery

At the opening of KMCW25, ������Ƶ Director Prof. Dr Katja Matthes said:
“For many years, ������Ƶ has been conducting fundamental research into the clearance of munitions off our coasts. Together with our international project partners, we are increasingly adopting a European approach. As a scientific partner of the conference, we are contributing our expertise in mapping and dealing with leaking hazardous substances. In cooperation with the State of Schleswig-Holstein and the Chamber of Industry and Commerce, we have also established the MUNIMAR Competence Centre, a dedicated platform to advance the development of concrete projects and technologies to deal with legacy munitions”.

Renowned scientists such as Prof. Dr Jens Greinert, Prof. Dr Jacek Beldowski, Prof. Dr Edmund Maser and Hans Sanderson will take part in panels, workshops and the specialist exhibition.

19 June: Public event on sea-dumped munitions
On Thursday, 19 June, all interested parties are invited to the Business Lounge of the Wunderino Arena: From 7:15 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., a discussion will take place under the title “Communicating about sea-dumped munitions: Challenges and opportunities”, addressing how this topic can be communicated transparently and comprehensibly – beyond fear narratives and with a view to opportunities for a sustainable “Blue Economy”. The Centre for the Management of Munitions in the Marine Environment Schleswig-Holstein (MUNIMAR) will also be presented. No registration is required.

About: Kiel Munition Clearance Week
In September 2021, experts on the topic of ammunition in the sea met for the first time at the Kiel Munition Clearance Week (KMCW) to exchange ideas and drive forward solutions for ammunition clearance. On the initiative of Jann Wendt (north.io GmbH), the Ammunition Cadastre Sea (AmuCad.org) organised the conference in cooperation with partners from industry and science like ������Ƶ. The second KMCW is organised by the Ministry of Energy Transition, Climate Protection, Environment and Nature of the State of Schleswig-Holstein (MEKUN) together with north.io.