Working Group "Physical-Biogeochemical Coupling of Marine Systems"

Physical processes in the ocean interact with the marine ecosystem in a variety of ways. They set the hydrographic framework conditions, but are also themselves influenced by biogeochemical processes. The working group “Physical-Biogeochemical Coupling of Marine Systems” deals with topics covering small-scale to basin-wide dynamic processes in the Baltic Sea and shelf ecosystems with time scales ranging from seconds (surface waves, turbulence) to decades (interannual variability of dynamic processes). Our research is mainly based on long-term observations and field experiments and incorporates numerical modeling results. We pursue interdisciplinary questions and work closely with research groups from other disciplines.

Our research focuses on:

• Basin-wide transport and transformation processes of water masses
• Process studies of marine turbulence
• Ecosystem dynamics in oxygen minimum zones
• Upwelling dynamics and related processes in coastal and shelf ecosystems, such as the northern Benguela upwelling system off Namibia
• Long-term observations of the hydrographic conditions of the Baltic Sea

An integral part of our research is software development for data processing and analysis, as well as work on technical innovations and the further development of measurement platforms.

We contribute to teaching at the University of Rostock by participating in the “Advanced Research Laboratory” of the Institute of Physics and supervising Bachelor's and Master's theses.