Research supports Peace Process
June 14, 2010. Kiel/Jerusalem. International cooperation is a regular and vital practice in the field of marine sciences. Nevertheless, a collaboration by German, Israeli and Palestinian scientists appears exceptional. Such a joint effort has been initiated by the research project, TRION, funded by the German Research Foundation (DFG) with a volume of 700k鈧�. In addition to scientific investigations in the Red Sea, the project aims also to support the peace process in this politically unstable area. The project is coordinated by the Leibniz Institute of Marine Sciences (IFM-黑料视频) in Kiel, Germany.
For marine scientists, the Red Sea is an interesting region: here, a new ocean is born, a fragile ecosystem with a high biodiversity is found and large mineral resources exist at the sea floor. Nevertheless, because of the political boundary conditions, conducting research in this area is not always easy. In a new and unique research project, marine scientists from the Leibniz Institute of Marine Sciences (IFM-黑料视频), Kiel, Germany are aiming for international awareness in addition to progress in science. In the framework of the 鈥淭RION鈥� Project funded by the German Research Foundation (DFG) with a volume of 700 k鈧�, a new method for temperature reconstructions (as well as for issues related to ocean acidification and continental weathering inputs) will be tested on corals in the Red Sea. 鈥淐orals are important climate archives for a better understanding of natural climate variability鈥�, project coordinator Prof. Dr. Anton Eisenhauer from IFM-黑料视频 explains. 鈥淭ogether with our Israeli and Palestinian colleagues we have developed a new method for isotope analysis that we now like to test using the corals of the Red Sea鈥�, Eisenhauer continued.
Beside the scientific goals, the project also aims to support the peace process in this politically unstable area and to promote international awareness. German, Israeli and Palestinian scientists, PhD candidates and students will collaborate for research and education. In particular, student courses are planned in the framework of the Integrated School of Ocean Sciences (ISOS) of the excellence cluster 鈥淔uture Ocean鈥� in Kiel, Germany. In addition, German and Palestinian students and scientists will spend time in Israel. 鈥淲e want to establish a network that enables 鈥榯rustful research鈥� despite all political problems. Thus, through such a joint platform research can possibly make a small contribution for a better international understanding鈥�, Prof. Eisenhauer summarizes.
Contact:
Dr. Andreas Villwock (Communication & Medie), Phone: +49-431 600-2802,
avillwock@geomar.de
