• Sea Ice Physics

    ice influence the observed variability of Arctic and Antarctic sea ice? How do variations in melt and freeze rates impact the ocean and the atmosphere in the Arctic and Antarctic? What are the consequences [...] polar ocean due to Arctic sea ice retreat? We apply, improve, and develop various methods to study sea ice and snow processes in both hemispheres, including the interaction of atmosphere and ocean. Contact [...] are the reasons for the dramatic changes in Arctic sea ice during the last decades? Why is the development of sea ice in the Antarctic so different to the Arctic and shows strong regional differences? How

  • Sea Ice

    Broad expanses of the Arctic Ocean and the Southern Ocean in the Antarctic are covered in sea ice. The ice plays a vital role in our climate system and is an important component of Arctic and Antarctic habitats [...] most frequently takes place in the Arctic and Antarctic. Depending on the season, the ice covers greater or lesser parts of the ocean. In the Northern Hemisphere, the ocean gradually freezes over in the course [...] its highest extent in September. In summer, the Southern Ocean is virtually ice-free. The research aircraft Polar 6 flies over the Arctic Ocean during a sea ice thickness campagne. (Photo: Esther Horvath)

  • Scientific Diving

    dependances in Bremerhaven and Sylt as well as temporary dive bases at the polar research station AWIPEV (Arctic - Spitsbergen), Dallman (Antarctic) and Neumayer III (Antarctic). With currently 12 certified "Dive [...] main scientific diving facilities in Europe and conducts professional underwater research in all oceans of the world. The main goals of the AWI Center for Scientific Diving are: To conduct, promote and

  • Same procedure as every year: „Gardening“ in the deep Arctic Ocean

    PS93.2 Weekly Report No. 1 | 21 until 26 July 2015
    On June 21 st , 46 scientists, engineers, technicians, and students coming from 10 nations embarked in sunny Tromsø to participate in the second l

  • SO-Clim

    the vast exchange of water between the deep ocean and the sea surface that is unprecedented in the global ocean elsewhere. Over past decades, the Southern Ocean has substantially slowed global surface warming [...] Low-salinity water in the Southern Ocean kept CO₂ locked… Low-salinity water in the Southern Ocean kept CO₂ locked away for decades - New study reveals an overlooked oceanic carbon storage mechanism. Find [...] Postdoc My aim is to better understand the ocean carbon sink and its changes, with a special focus on the Southern Ocean. I study how the physics of the ocean impact the return pathways of CO 2 to the surface

  • SNOWflAke

    with the atmosphere and ocean. (Antarctic) Climate change Improved snow process formulations in climate models Investigation of the impact of changing atmospheric and oceanic processes on the evolution [...] S. , and Meyer, H.: Isotopic signatures of snow, sea ice, and surface seawater in the central Arctic Ocean during the MOSAiC expedition, Elementa: Science of the Anthropocene, 12, doi.org/10.1 [...] research will significantly improve our process understanding of Antarctic sea ice in the Southern Ocean climate system – from today’s perspective and for future warming climate scenarios. Background Snow

  • Research program

    support the development of strategies for adaptation and mitigation. Topic 2: Oceans and Cryosphere in Climate How do oceans and the cryosphere drive climate change, and how can we better predict future [...] profound changes, with significant impacts on humanity. Central to these changes are the polar regions, oceans, and coastal and shelf seas, which play crucial roles in regulating the Earth's climate and supporting [...] ty and have a critical influence on both regional and global climate by affecting sea-ice cover, ocean circulation, atmospheric conditions and finally coastal areas. The Alfred Wegener Institute (AWI)

  • Research infrastructure

    Bremerhaven Nutrient Facility Observatories Ocean: FRAM Water: COSYNA Meteorology Geophysics Ships Polarstern Heincke Uthörn Mya II Aade Stations Neumayer Station III Arctic Station AWIPEV Kohnen Station Marine

  • Research Vessel and Icebreaker Polarstern

    days a year, typically cruising in the Antarctic from November to March and pursuing research in the Arctic during the summer months. In the process, she covers ca. 50,000 nautical miles every year – the [...] heat wave in 2003 has changed the North Atlantic until today Extreme events change the ecology of oceans abruptly: For example, a marine heat wave in 2003 had such strong effects on species composition

  • Research Vessel Polarstern setting out for the Arctic - Focusing on changes in the ice cover, ocean currents and effects on the marine biota

    Press release