Head
I am a physicist working in the fields of physical oceanography and bioacoustics. Generally, my work revolves around the development and deployment of novel observations tools, like under ice Argo floats, Pressure Inverted Echosounders (PIES) for oceanographic studies, and infrared imaging for automatic marine mammal detection and passive acoustic monitoring for marine mammal research and mitigation. I supervise the maintenance of the Weddell Sea’s HAFOS (Hybrid Antarctic Float Observing System) long-term marine observatory including the PALAOA listening station and acted as chief scientists for several RV Polarstern expeditions.
Scientists
I am a marine biologist specialised in bioacoustics. My main focus is to develop efficient algorithms to detect and classify marine animal vocalisations, speeding up the analysis of passive acoustic data in order to address ecological questions. I am interested in understanding the effects of the physical environment and the ecosystem productivity on animal distributions, abundances and their acoustic behaviour. Through the work on my PhD, I gained comprehensive experience in the detection and classification of humpback whale vocalisations and song, modelling the effects of climate variabilities on humpback whale acoustic presence, and estimating song similarity as an indicator of exchange among populations.
Currently I am working on the implementation of artificial intelligence for detection and classification tasks in marine passive acoustic data, both for biological sounds as well as anthropogenic sounds.
www.researchgate.net/profile/Elena_Schall
I see sound as an invaluable resource of information about environments, particularly when it stems from remote underwater environments, such as the Southern Ocean, where most of my work is focused. My current research uses acoustic data as a foundation for developing new concepts of evaluating underwater sound environments (soundscape planning, acoustic biodiversity assessments), but also for the investigation of marine mammal habitat usage. Within the IWC-SORP Acoustic Trends Steering Group (ATG), my interest and contributions evolve around improving our understanding of the behavior and spatio-temporal distribution patterns of Antarctic blue and fin whales in Antarctic waters.
My research addresses how the distribution of marine mammals relates to abiotic and biotic environmental factors to explore the ecological role of marine mammals in the Arctic Ocean. Data stem from the interdisciplinary Arctic FRAM ocean observatory, which provides a unique opportunity to gain insight into these interrelationships. I strongly believe that a holistic understanding of the Arctic Ocean ecosystem is essential in view of future management and conservation strategies to preserve this unique and fragile ecosystem.
Starting in November 2020, I will man the International Quiet Ocean Experiment (IQOE) International Project Office and aid coordinating its scientific activities.
I am a marine biologist with interests in marine mammal distribution, habitat use and marine bioacoustics mainly focusing on larger whales in polar waters. I also have a keen interest in marine noise and its effects on marine life and in developing risk mitigation measures. I am a trained marine mammal observer and currently a member of the German delegation to the Scientific Committee of the International Whaling Commission.
https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Elke_Burkhardt
Engineers and technicians
Since Nov. 2010, I am part of the ocean acoustics lab within the physical oceanography section at the AWI. With a background in oceanographic engineering, my tasks are mainly the maintenance, test, preparation and trouble-shooting of instruments (e.g. underwater acoustic recorder, Acoustic Zooplankton and Fish Profiler “AZFP”, RAFOS sound source) for deployment in oceanographic moorings. Additionally I am the technical contact for our PALAOA listening station on the Antarctic shelf. I also take care of securing and pre-processing raw data from recovered instruments. My work involves regular participation in expeditions to the Arctic and Antarctic as a member of the oceanographic mooring team.
Current PhD Students
Since November 2022 I am a PhD student at the ocean acoustics lab. I am interested in marine mammal distributions and their acoustic behaviour. During my PhD project I use passive acoustic data to improve knowledge on the spatio-temporal distribution of fin whales in Antarctic waters. The main focus is on the geographical distributions of different fin whale populations, as well as seasonal and temporal patterns in sound production. Moreover, I am interested in the related behavioral ecology and environmental data to understand the fin whales’ spatio-temporal distribution.
Laura Gutiérrez
I came from Chile to pursue my PhD in the Ocean Acoustics Lab. I am a marine biologist with a Master’s degree in Oceanography, and my research interests focus on the ecology and acoustic behavior of marine mammals, particularly mysticetes. My PhD project focuses on Antarctic blue whales and fin whales in the Southern Ocean, Southeast Pacific, and Southwest Atlantic, using long-term passive acoustic monitoring. I aim to identify large-scale migratory patterns and assess how environmental variability and anthropogenic noise influence their presence and habitat use.
Ramona Mattmueller
I am a marine biologist and bio-acoustician interested in the biodiversity and distribution patterns of marine mammals in polar seas. During my PhD I am analyzing polar ocean (Southern Ocean and Arctic Ocean) passive acoustic monitoring data to investigate the influence of the three soundscape components (biophony, geophony, and anthrophony) on the acoustic environment. Further I will study the spatio-temporal patterns of the marine mammal diversity via their acoustic behavior. I am particularly interested in the impact of anthropogenic noise on polar ocean soundscapes and its impact on the soundscape and (acoustic) ecology of marine mammals (communication behavior, habitat use, and distribution patterns).
I have started my PhD in the ocean acoustics lab in December 2022 after finishing my studies in marine biology. My project aims to analyze spatiotemporal patterns in the acoustic occurrence of baleen whales in the Arctic Ocean. This region is of special concern due to strong ongoing environmental alterations triggered by climate change, such as sea-ice decline. Using data collected in Fram Strait, I am investigating potential impacts of climate change on the acoustic presence of endemic and seasonally migrating baleen whale species. Furthermore, I am very interested in better understanding which environmental factors drive baleen whale habitat suitability and how global warming might affect future distribution patterns.
Former members and students
PhDs (Doktoranden)
Diego Filun (2022), Uni Bremen
Karolin Thomisch (2016), Uni Bremen
Distribution patterns and migratory behavior of Antarctic blue whales
Daniel Zitterbart (2013), Uni Erlangen
Annette Bombosch (2013), Uni Bremen
Ilse van Opzeeland (2010), Uni Bremen
Master students (Master Studenten)
Marie-Luise Schneider (active), University Oldenburg
Soundscapes of the North Sea: Acoustic fauna identification using Hydrophones and Baited Remote Underwater Videos
Ricarda Wesener (2024), TH Köln
Localization of Weddell Seals in the PASATA Recordings Using Time Differences of Arrival
Autumn Chang (2024), University of Padua
Temporal acoustic presence of Southern Right Whales off Elephant Island
Mercedes Chumbley (2024), Uni Bremen
Beyond the Sound: Investigating Spatio-Temporal Patterns and Signal Characteristics of an Unidentified Sound Discovered in the Southern Ocean
Joy Wilmer (2023), Uni Bremen
Vocal behavior of captive and free ranging harbor seals
Svenja Wöhle (2021/22), Master Uni Oldenburg
Lea Wienecke (2021), Master Uni Bremen
Variation of antarctic minke whale bioduck call occurrence between years
Julika Voss (2021), Master Uni Oldenburg & BioConsult
Victoria Field (2021), Master Uni Bremen
Analysis of the geographic variation in fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus) calls reveals population identities
Sari Mangia Woods (2020), Master Uni Groningen
Ramona Mattmüller (2019), Master Uni Bremen
Marine mammal acoustic presence in relation to sea ice concentrations off Tasiilaq, East Greenland
Katharina Hiemer (2019), Master Uni Bremen
Diandra Duengen (2019), Master Uni Oldenburg
Fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus) distribution modelling in the Nordic Seas & adjacent waters
Karoline Hots (2019), Master Uni Oldenburg
Lisa Ganz (2018), Master Student Research Project Uni Bremen
A “13-Hz” short call recorded off Elephant Island, Antarctica – By which species is it emitted?
Stefanie Spiesecke (2018), Master University of Applied Sciences Bremen
Rajan, Sahana Soundara (2017), Master HS Bremerhaven
Development of Image Processing Algorithm for Whale Blow Detection and Optimization
Simone Mueller (2017), Master Uni Oldenburg
Analysis of humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) sounds from the Southern Ocean
Hanna Michel (2015), Master Uni Oldenburg
Theresa Schwenke (2013), Master Uni Bremen
Alicia Schmidt-Roach (2008), Master ISATEC Bremen
Gray whales, Boat noise and Tourism in Bahia Magdalena, Baja California Sur, Mexico
Anna-Maria Seibert (2007), Master/Diplomarbeit Uni Muenchen
Bachelor students (Bachelor Studenten)
Nora Zieher (active), University Oldenburg
Exploring blue whale distribution patterns: Insights from acoustic studies at two Arctic stations
Nora Hunter (2025), University Oldenburg
Acoustic Presence of Humpback Whales in Gold Coast Bay, Australia
Carolin Kalmbach (2024), University Oldenburg
Combining eDNA and passive acoustic data for monitoring marine mammals in Algoa Bay, South Africa
Laura Paker (2024), University Bremen
Blue and Fin whale acoustic co-occurence at the Greenwich Meridian
Linnea Pankoke (2021), University Bremen
Spatio-temporal patterns in acoustic biodiversity and distribution of marine mammals in Fram Strait, based on passive acoustic monitoring
Jule Froehlich (2021), Bachelor Uni Oldenburg
Evaluating the potential of AM-based classification models to characterize ABW’s acoustic presence in the Southern Ocean – Assessment of call category effect on model performance
Mathis Pohl (2021), Bachelor Uni Oldenburg
Optimization of acoustic metric-based classification models to detect Antarctic blue whales' acoustic presence in the Southern Ocean - Evaluating the effect of the supervised machine learning algorithm, file format, sampling rate and analyst on model performance
Maria Mallet (2020), Bachelor Hochschule Bremerhaven
Lea Eichler (2019), Bachelor Universität Bremen
Lys Kronenberger (2019), Bachelor Universität Bremen
Svenja Neumann (2017), Bachelor Universität Bremen
Marlene Meister (2017), Bachelor Universität Bremen
Temporal patterns in the acoustic presence of marine mammals off Elephant Island, Antarctica
Elena Schall (2013), Bachelor Universität Bremen
Compilation of a call catalogue for Antarctic killer whales (Orcinus orca), Ecotype C
Theresa Schwenke (2013), Bacherlor Universität Bremen
Underwater acoustic behavior of leopard seals (Hydrurga leptonyx) and Ross seals (Ommatophoca rossii) in Antarctic coastal and offshore habitats
Sebastian Menze (2012), Bachelor Hochschule Bremerhaven
Passive acoustic monitoring of ambient noise in the Atlantic sector of the Southern Ocean
Svenja Zakrzewski (2010), Bachelor Hochschule Bremerhaven
The PALAOA-S experiment: vocal behaviour of Antarctic pinnipeds and cetaceans during ship's passes.
Interns (Praktikanten)
Cornelia Kreiss
Praktikum Uni Bremen
Louise Rawolle
Praktikum Uni Oldenburg
Laura Richert
HiWi Uni Bremen
Julia Müller
HiWi Uni Bremen
Linnea Pankoke
Intern Uni Bremen
Isabelle Guenther
Intern UOL
Jenny Bachmann
Praktikum Uni Bremen
Dominik Osztermayer
Praktikum Uni Bremen
Nele Schmidt
HiWi Uni Bremen
Lisa Ganz
HiWi Uni Bremen
Christina Boening
Intern UOL
Nina Hoppe
Intern UOL
Kristina Boerder
Praktikum Uni Bremen
Rike Vooth
Praktikum Uni Bremen
Stefanie Czudaj
Praktikum
Idil Ilgaz Kaya
Internship Middle East Technical University
Nora Zieher
Intern UOL
Former staff members and guests (Frühere Mitarbeiter und Gäste)
Dr. Horst Bornemann
Dr. Lars Kindermann
Victoria Warren
Andy Traumüller
Maryann Watson
Dr. Olga Alejandra Vargas-Fonseca
Dr. Monika Breitzke
Emmanuelle Leroy, PhD
Abraham Tula
Michael Flau
Dr. Geraint Whittaker
Harold Figueroa, PhD
Dr. Samantha Lake
Dr. Ahmed El-Gabbas
Clea Parcerisas
Dr. Irene Rocca