News
This page contains latest news regarding the institute. Some entries are only available in German.
UV light against undesirable underwater growth – Innovative antifouling system from IOW now ready for serial production
Biofouling is a major problem for any technical equipment that has to remain operational under water for long periods of time. Crusts of mussels and barnacles usually cause mechanical problems, but even thin biofilms of algae and bacteria can damage sensitive measuring equipment as well as interfere seriously with measurements. After about three years of development, an antifouling device designed at the IOW has now been licensed for commercial production. The new system for the first time uses lens optics to focus the UV light of energy-efficient LEDs and thus keeps irradiated surfaces free of fouling.
Setting an example in equal opportunities: IOW receives “Total E-Quality” certificate for the 3rd time
The IOW has been awarded the “Total E-Quality” (TEQ)-Certificate for its equal opportunities policy for the third time in a row. This time, the jury particularly acknowledged effective gender equality structures established in almost all areas of the Institute’s activities, which are underpinned by extensive measures. The TEQ certificate is awarded by the association TOTAL E-QUALITY e. V. for a period of three years.
Is the Baltic Sea at a crossroads? Future scenarios for the combined effect of climate change and nutrient load
Can effective marine management mitigate climate change impacts so that the Baltic Sea regains a good environmental status? Can record blue-green algae blooms and other extreme events with an impact on future tourism be averted? A team led by Markus Meier from the IOW now presents a study, in which various greenhouse gas and nutrient pollution scenarios are modelled up to the year 2100. Only in the most optimistic scenario – nutrient reduction according to a perfect implementation of the Baltic Sea Action Plan – a good environmental status is achievable and extreme algae blooms can be avoided despite increasingly frequent heat spells.
Burst Hope: No chance for environment-relieving plastic decomposition by bacteria
No, they won’t help us with this particular environmental problem: Bacteria are definitely not able to decompose plastic released into marine environments, and they are unlikely to acquire this ability through evolution. This is the conclusion reached by IOW microbiologists Sonja Oberbeckmann and Matthias Labrenz in a comprehensive review study concerning biofilms on microplastics.
» Read more … Burst Hope: No chance for environment-relieving plastic decomposition by bacteria
How stressed are coastal seas by humans and climate? Expedition with research vessel SONNE to the South China Sea
On August 2, 2019, the German research vessel SONNE sets off from Singapore for the SO269-SOCLIS cruise to the South China Sea under the lead of IOW scientist Joanna Waniek. At more than 70 sampling stations, 24 German and 16 Chinese scientists will investigate, how natural materials and anthropogenic harmful substances are distributed in the shelf area and deeper oceanic regions, which physical processes are responsible for observed pattern, how far the pollution halo of industrial centres and large conurbations reaches into the sea, and how different climate conditions affect the relevant processes. The expedition ends on September 3 in Hong Kong.
Contact persons in all matters of press and public relation at the Leibniz Institute for Baltic Sea Research are
Dr. Kristin Beck
Tel.: 0381 5197 135
E-Mail: kristin.beck@io-warnemuende.de
Dr. Barbara Hentzsch
Tel.: 0381 5197 102
E-Mail: barbara.hentzsch@io-warnemuende.de
Satellite image of the month
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