The Alfred Wegener Institute carries out research in the Arctic and Antarctic as well as in the high and mid latitude oceans. The institute coordinates German polar research and makes available to national and international science important infrastructure, e.g. the research ice breaker “Polarstern” and research stations in the Arctic and Antarctic.
Marine species of the month in the International Year of Biodiversity
The United Nations General Assembly has declared 2010 the International Year of Biodiversity, in order to foster awareness that the welfare of mankind depends on the conservation of biodiversity, on preventing the loss of diversity and to demonstrate achievements in the protection of biodiversity.
In this context, the Alfred Wegener Institute for Polar and Marine Research intends to introduce a "Marine species of the Month" during 2010, as proxy for different and specific research topics of the Institute. The "species of the Month" will epitomize various aspects of climate change and its impact on the ocean as a habitat, as is seen for example in the decrease of sea ice in the Arctic and Antarctic, or the warming and acidification of the oceans. Other topics addressed will be related to changes in species composition in our coastal waters, e.g. the invasion of new species into the North Sea and the consequences.
Latest Press Releases
22. February 2010: Iceberg collides with the ice shelf edge near Neumayer Station III
Fragments of the Ross Ice Shelf, which drift past the edge of the Ekstrom Ice Shelf in Antarctica, have a long trip around the Antarctic continent behind them. Recently an iceberg collided with the ice shelf, dislodging a large chunk as well as causing extensive cracks of some distance in the ice shelf. Scientists of the Alfred Wegener Institute are expecting new and valuable insights with regard to ice physics.
Iceberg collides with the ice shelf edge
8. February 2010: New underwater experimental field off coast of Helgoland
Today scientists at the Center for Scientific Diving of the Biological Institute Helgoland start a project that is unique thus far for the North Sea: “MarGate”, an innovative underwater experimental field. In future, scientists want to acquire marine biology data with a high resolution in terms of time and space there by means of state-of-the-art sensor technologies. These data will then be available online via the Internet.
To press release: New underwater experimental field off coast of Helgoland
4. February 2010: Antarctica: Neumayer Station III successfully raised
Hydraulic lifting devices prevent Neumayer Station III from sinking in the ice. The snow and ice surface in the Antarctic grows continuously so the research station has to be raised annually. The construction concept and technology prove effective right from the beginning.
To press release: Antarctica: Neumayer Station III successfully raised
2. February 2010: Private support organisation at Alfred Wegener Institute in Bremerhaven
The Institute established the organisation “Friends of the Alfred Wegener Institute for Polar and Marine Research” in 2009. All those interested can obtain information and support research financially and morally in the future.
To press release: Private support organisation at Alfred Wegener Institute in Bremerhaven
