Archive of News and Press Releases
Assessing the Impacts of Nodule Mining on the Deep-Sea Environment
Scientists of the JPI Oceans project “MiningImpact” are embarking on a 6-week expedition to the Clarion-Clipperton Fracture Zone (CCZ) in the Pacific. Their goal is to carry out independent scientific monitoring of the test of a pre-prototype nodule collector machine conducted in parallel from a second vessel by the Belgian company Global Sea Mineral Resources (GSR). “MiningImpact” fully adheres to good scientific practice and all data will be made publicly available. The findings of this integrated impact analysis will be transferred into…
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Photographs from the Arctic
Michael Gutsche has given the AWI three large-format photos on permanent loan. The photographer took the impressive nature photos during the Arctic expedition "MOSAiC". Together with AWI director Antje Boetius, Gutsche unveiled the photos at the institute's location in Bremerhaven. There they now adorn the walls in the foyer of building E and in the entrance area of buildings A / B / C. The images show, among other things, how quickly the weather conditions in the Arctic can change and how fragile this ecosystem is.
Our long-term ocean observatories
The southern Weddell Sea is home of the Filchner-Ronne Ice Shelf (FRIS). FRIS is the largest (by volume) floating ice shelf on the planet and therefore quite an important feature in the Antarctic Ice Sheet system, which is directly relevant for our global climate and sea level.
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“Face-to-face” Teaching at Last
Every year, ten international scholarship holders from all corners of the globe come to the Alfred Wegener Institute’s two island-based sites. The POGO-Nippon Foundation Centre of Excellence trains them to become oceanography experts.
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The biogeochemistry of the water column
There are several reasons why the Southern Ocean and the Weddell Sea are extraordinary. Not only are its ice formation and unique fauna awe inspiring, but it also plays a crucial role in regulating our planet’s climate.
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MOSAiC Expedition Briefing for the Arctic Council
MOSAiC expedition leader Markus Rex informed the Arctic Council about the Arctic drift expedition and presented the first results. The Arctic Council is the leading cross-national forum for the Arctic. Germany has observer status in the Arctic Council and is represented by the Foreign Office. Senior Arctic Official Chair, Ambassador Einar Gunnarsson, thanked Markus Rex for his presentation and congratulated Germany and all other nations involved in this historic expedition.
![[Translate to English:] Niedrigwasser der Elbe in Dresden.](/fileadmin/_processed_/2/a/csm_NiedrigwasserDresden_AndreKuenzelmannUFZ_8501096_e0bd98617b.jpg "Elbe river in Dresden")
Droughts in Germany could become more extreme
In the future, droughts could be even more severe than those that struck parts of Germany in 2018. An analysis of climate data from the last millennium shows that several factors have to coincide to produce a megadrought: not only rising temperatures, but also the amount of solar radiation, as well as certain meteorological and ocean-circulation conditions in the North Atlantic, like those expected to arise in the future. A group of researchers led by the Alfred Wegener Institute have just released their findings in the journal Communications Earth &…
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![[Translate to English:] Polarstern in the smallest gap called "foxhole" between iceberg A74 (right) and Brunt Ice Shelf (left). Look to direction out of the foxhole, in which Polarstern manoevered after station work.
Polarstern in der "Fuchsbau" getauften schmalsten Stelle zwischen Eisberg A74 (rechts) und Brunt-Schelfeis (links). Blick in die Richtung Ausgang des "Fuchsbaus", in die das Schiff nach Beendigung der Stationsarbeit weiter gefahren ist.](/fileadmin/_processed_/d/8/csm_20210314_Polarstern_between_Brunt_and_A74_RalphTimmermann_004_e98862b85b.jpg "RV Polarstern between iceberg A74 (right) and Brunt Ice Shelf")
Polarstern expedition investigates massive calved iceberg
Roughly two weeks ago, a massive iceberg calved from the Antarctic Ice Sheet. As the only research vessel nearby, the Polarstern took the opportunity to enter the area between the iceberg and the Brunt Ice Shelf. The first images from the seafloor reveal an amazing level of biodiversity in a region that was covered by thick ice for decades. The sediment samples gathered are expected to provide more detailed insights into the ecosystem, while a geochemical analysis of the water samples collected will allow conclusions to be drawn regarding the nutrient…
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Berlin Energy Transition Dialogue 21
The Berlin Energy Transition Dialogue (BETD) is an international forum for actors in the energy sector. High-ranking decision-makers from politics, industry, science and civil society have the opportunity to exchange their experiences and ideas on a safe, affordable and environmentally friendly global energy transition. AWI Director Antje Boetius will speak at this year's online conference as a podium guest on March 16 from 7.30 p.m. The event will be streamed online.
Photos from the Seafloor
Much of the work conducted during PS124 focuses on the deployment and recovery of sensors and equipment designed to allow us a better understanding of the characteristics and dynamics of the water masses and ice in the southern Weddell Sea. This is not the exclusive research aim, however.
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