News

Ice sheets

Rapid growth of land ice due to summer snowfall

[12. April 2024]  During the Last Glacial Maximum, the Laurentide ice sheet covered large parts of North America, before it finally melted at the end of the ice age. In a new study published in the journal Nature Geoscience, researchers from the Alfred Wegener Institute, Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research (AWI) have used a newly developed climate-ice model to draw conclusions about its spatial expansion. They discovered that in particular the snowfall in summer favoured the growth of the ice sheet.

Tiny plastic particles are found everywhere

[09. April 2024]  Microplastic particles can be found in the most remote ocean regions on earth. In Antarctica, pollution levels are even higher than previously assumed. This is one finding of a recent study by researchers from the Alfred Wegener Institute and the University of Basel. 

Annette-Barthelt-Preis würdigt herausragende Abschlussarbeiten

[25. March 2024]  Dr Jenna Balaguer with her dissertation on the role of micronutrients for phytoplankton growth in the Antarctic and Dr Jonas Preine with his dissertation on the development of the marine volcanic field in the southern Aegean have been awarded the Annette Barthelt Prize 2024. The award is associated with a research grant of 6000 euros funded by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research and was presented on Friday at the GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel.

There are large accumulations of plastics in the ocean, even outside so-called garbage patch

A UFZ and AWI study reveals microplastics in remote marine protected area

[19. March 2024]  When plastic ends up in the ocean, it gradually weathers and disintegrates into small particles. In a recent study, a research team from the Helmholtz Centres UFZ and AWI, has found large quantities of plastic waste and microplastics in a remote marine protected area in the Pacific Ocean. These quantities were similar to those found in one of the world’s largest known garbage patches. The researchers highlight that plastics are distributed much more widely than expected, threatening the entire ocean ecosystem . 

Working together to systematically improve our understanding of marine ecosystems

The AWI is involved in the new international research centre AIMEC, which celebrates its kick-off in Japan today

[08. March 2024]  Marine ecosystems are an important part of our earth and climate system. However, their structures and functions are changing under the influence of human activities and climate change. In order to better understand how they react to the dynamics of the Earth-human system and how they adapt, leading international research institutions have founded the Advanced Institute for Marine Ecosystem Change (AIMEC). The Alfred Wegener Institute is part of the new institute.

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