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IOW · NewsletterJuly 2025 |
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News » OBS department » Baltic Earth Secretariat » Groundbreaking ceremony for port warehouse expansion » Briese Prize 2024 awarded » Awards & nominations » Oliver Zielinski in the German Science and Humanities Council » Federal Cross of Merit » The Baltic Sea Research Foundation Award » Committees » New members of the Scientific Advisory Board » New Projects » BALTIMAGX » SEASCAPE » CONCENTRATE » New SCOR working group » Research focus S2B » New long-term measuring station » Bilateral workshop » Ship expeditions » Monitoring cruise with the EMB » Cooperations » Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Goa University » Communication » Baltic Sea Day in Stralsund » Long Night of the Science » Publications » Prehistoric algae back to life » Handbook of Marine Bivalves of Namibia » Biological Assessment of the Baltic Sea 2023 » Events » Warnemünde Turbulence Days » Warnemünde Evenings » Women in Marine Research » Announcements » Briese Award 2025 |
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A view across the sea |
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A lot has happened since the last newsletter. A view across the sea – both literally and figuratively – shows how much our framework conditions are changing. Looking across the Atlantic, it becomes clear how fragile the privilege of academic freedom can be, even in established democracies. Developments there and elsewhere remind us that openness, critical discourse and academic independence cannot be taken for granted – even if we often treat them as such. And a view of the sea right on our doorstep, the Baltic Sea, also reveals changes. The geopolitical situation is increasingly leaving its mark – in the form of disrupted GPS signals, new restricted zones and a general climate of caution. This also affects the conditions under which marine research is conducted today. This makes the IOW's mission all the more important: to use sound research to generate knowledge that provides guidance – for science, politics and society. After all, an informed society is a prerequisite for resilience and sustainability. This also includes communicating knowledge openly, facilitating discourse and embracing diversity in perspectives and methods. This newsletter offers you a compact overview of selected activities from recent months – from new research projects and scientific publications to public relations work and international cooperation. We hope you find this an inspiring read. 
Oliver Zielinski | Director PS: In my role as a member of the German Council of Science and Humanities (WR), I would like to take this opportunity to encourage you to read the recently published position paper ‘Science and Security in Times of Global Political Upheaval’, which offers valuable reflections and recommendations (only in German available). |
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News |
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New department Marine Observations combines tasks |
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The new department „Marine Observations“ (OBS) at the IOW started work at the beginning of the year. It brings together all scientific and technical staff involved in developing the measurement strategies and technological equipment required for coastal marine observation. |
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International Baltic Earth Secretariat (IBES):
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In February, the secretariat of the Baltic Earth research network is being transferred from Helmholtz-Zentrum Hereon to the IOW and the Institute of Oceanology of the Polish Academy of Sciences in Sopot (IOPAN). » to the press release ... |
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Groundbreaking ceremony for new sediment core storage facility |
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The traditional groundbreaking ceremony marked the start of construction of a new warehouse in July in Rostock's fishing port. The new building will serve to expand logistics and storage capacities for equipment and air-conditioned sediment core storage, as well as providing additional workshops. |
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Briese Award 2024 for innovative paleobiology and microplastics research |
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The BRIESE Award 2024 for Marine Research was hand over to two researchers in May 2025: Tonke Strack from MARUM – Center for Marine Environmental Sciences in Bremen, and Isabel Goßmann, who completed her doctorate at the ICBM – Institute for Chemistry and Biology of the Marine Environment at the University of Oldenburg, share the award for their outstanding dissertations. The award, endowed with EUR 5.000, is donated by the shipping company Briese Schiffahrts GmbH & Co. KG. |
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Awards & Nominations |
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Oliver Zielinski becomes a member of the German Science and Humanities Council |
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IOW Director Oliver Zielinski was appointed to the German Science and Humanities Council by Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier on 1 February 2025, following a joint proposal by the German Research Foundation, the Max Planck Society, the German Rectors' Conference, the Helmholtz Association, the Fraunhofer Society and the Leibniz Association. |
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Federal Cross of Merit for two deserving Baltic Sea researchers |
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The two dedicated Baltic Sea researchers Ulrich Bathmann and Wolfgang Matthäus were awarded the Federal Cross of Merit in Schwerin in January 2025. » read more ... |
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The Baltic Sea Research Foundation Award goes to Anna Kujat |
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Anna Sophia Kujat conducted research at the IOW for her Master‘s thesis „Recognition of patterns in microbial communities in the Warnow Estuary and on the Baltic Sea coast using methods of topic modelling and machine learning“. For this work, she has now received the sponsorship award from the „Baltic Sea Research Foundation“ at the Maritime Museum in Stralsund. |
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Committees |
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New members of the Scientific Advisory Board |
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On May 1st, four new members were appointed to the Scientific Advisory Board (SAB) of the IOW: Prof. Dr. Arne Biastoch (GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel), Prof. Dr. Darius Daunys (Klaipeda University, Lithuania), Dr. Colleen Hansel (Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI), Woods Hole, MA, USA) and Prof. Dr. Laura Villanueva (Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research (NIOZ), The Netherlands). They succeed Prof. Dr. Katarina Abrahamsson, Prof. Dr. Gerhard Herndl, Prof. Dr. Niels Peter Revsbech, whose terms of office ended at the end of April after two terms, and Prof. Dr. Andreas Oschlies, who is stepping down at the end of 2023 after two terms. Three of the four new members were already guests at the SAB spring meeting. We are very much looking forward to the constructive support of the new SAB members.
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From left to right: |
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New Projects |
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BALTICMAGX investigates the role of magnetotactic bacteria |
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The DFG-project, which was launched at the end of December 2024, aims primarily to investigate and determine the ability of magnetotactic group of bacteria to bind and transport phosphorus, as well as their taxonomy. Duration: 01.12.2024 - 30.11.2027 · Contact (IOW): Heide Schulz-Vogt · Funding: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) » read more ... |
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SEASCAPE starts with kick-off |
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The western Baltic Sea may hold more cultural heritage than previously thought: underwater landscapes with monumental structures built by Stone Age hunters and gatherers. The interdisciplinary joint research project SEASCAPE, funded by the Leibniz Association and led by the IOW, now wants to investigate these unique traces. Duration: 01.04.2025 - 31.03.2028 · Contact (IOW): |
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IOW is member of the new TRR 420 CONCENTRATE |
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In May 2025, the German Research Foundation (DFG) approved funding for the Collaborative Research Centre / Transregio (TRR) 420 ‘CONCENTRATE’. Under the leadership of the Universities of Greifswald and Bremen, researchers in the network are investigating sugar polymers from marine algae and how they protect the climate. The IOW is involved in a subproject on the role of marine fungi in the conversion of sugar polymers. Duration: 01.10.2025 - 30.06.2029 · Contact (IOW): Isabell Klawonn · Funding: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) » read more ... |
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SCOR working group „Oceanic Salt Intrusion into Tidal Freshwater Rivers“ |
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Last autumn, the SCOR (Scientific Committee on Oceanic Research) Working Group No. 172 „Oceanic Salt Intrusion into Tidal Freshwater Rivers“ (SALTWATER) was approved. The group, consisting of 20 members and associated members, is led by Ming Li (University of Maryland) and Hans Burchard. Duration: 2025 - 2028 · Contact (IOW): Hans Burchard · Funding: Scientific Committee on Oceanic Research (SCOR) » read more ... |
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Research focus Shallow water processes (S2B) |
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First S2B long-term measuring station deployed |
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In order to document physical, biological, chemical and biogeochemical processes equally in the demanding surf zone, special device anchors were developed as part of the implementation of the research focus S2B (= ‘shore to basin’) at the IOW. The first measuring device anchor was installed in the shallow water area of the reef off Nienhagen at a water depth of 12 metres. |
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Workshop of the coastal initiative CoastClim and S2B on Tvärminne |
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In April 2025, CoastClim and S2B met in Tvärminne. Ideas for future cooperation were gathered. The exchange will begin this year on a bilateral basis. |
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Ship expeditions |
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Spring monitoring cruise 2025 |
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In May 2025, the research vessel Elisabeth Mann Borgese set sail from Rostock on this year's spring monitoring expedition EMB 365 to the Baltic Sea. On board was a 10-member IOW team of researchers, laboratory and technical staff who will carry out the measurements and sampling. |
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Cooperations |
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IOW and Goa University focus on joint marine research |
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Goa University in India and the IOW will cooperate more closely in marine research in future. In February 2025, both institutions signed a memorandum of understanding to this effect in Goa. |
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Communication |
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| 05.06.2025 | ||
Baltic Sea Day in Stralsund |
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Under the motto ‘Healthy Baltic Sea – Healthy People’, the Federal Maritime and Hydrographic Agency, the German Oceanographic Museum, the Leibniz Institute for Baltic Sea Research Warnemünde, the Thünen Institute for Baltic Sea Fisheries and further partners provided information about their research and the state of the Baltic Sea. |
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| 15.05.2025 | ||
IOW participated in Long Night of the Science |
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Colleagues from the fields measurement technology, modelling and monitoring presented the IOW‘s range of work at the Long Night of the Science. From 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. on 15 May, data from the mooring in the shallow waters off Nienhagen was displayed lievs on a monitor and interpreted immidiately. The touch table and the inflow-model illustrated the facts, and there was a great deal of interest in them. |
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Publications |
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Prehistoric algae back to life |
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 (Photo: K. Beck / IOW) |
A research team led by the IOW has managed to revive dormant algae that sank to the bottom of the Baltic Sea almost 7,000 years ago. Despite thousands of years of inactivity in sediment without light or oxygen, the diatom species studied regained its full viability. Reference:
Bolius, S., Schmidt, A., Kaiser, J., Arz, H.W., Dellwig, O., Karsten, U., Epp, L.S., Kremp, A. (2025). Resurrection of a diatom after 7000 years from anoxic Baltic Sea sediment. The ISME Journal, 19(1), wrae252.
https://doi.org/10.1093/ismejo/wrae252 Contact: Sarah Bolius
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Handbook of „Marine Bivalves of Namibia“ |
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Michael Zettler, head of the working group Ecology of benthic organisms, is one of the both authors. The book includes data from trips taken over the past 20 years. Eleven new species are described by the authors. Reference:
Michael L. Zettler, Leon Hoffmann: Marine Bivalves of Namibia. ConchBooks, Harxheim, 358 pp (2025)
Contact: Michael L. Zettler
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Biological Assessment of the Baltic Sea 2023 |
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The Biological Assessment Report of the Baltic Sea for 2023 has been published in the Marine Science Reports. Reference:
Dutz, J., Zettler, M.L., Kremp, A., Paul, C., Kube, S. 2025: Biological assessment of the Baltic Sea 2023. Meereswissenschaftliche Berichte 129: 1-80
https://doi.io-warnemuende.de/10.12754/msr-2025-0129 |
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Events |
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| 📅 21.09.2025 - 29.09.2025 | ||
Warnemünde Turbulence Days |
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International Workshop Waves and Turbulence in flows. |
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| 📅 03.07.2025 - 04.09.2025 | ||
Warnemünder Abende |
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With its ‘Warnemünder Abende’ (Warnemünde Evenings), the IOW offers popular science lectures on the Baltic Sea. |
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| 📅 25.07.2025 - 30.12.2025 | ||
Breaking the Surface. Women in Marine Research |
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External event: Special Exhibition at the International Maritime Museum Hamburg. |
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Announcements |
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BRIESE Award for Marine Research 2025Since 2010, the shipping company Briese Schiffahrts GmbH & Co. KG (Leer) has been awarding the ‘BRIESE Award for Marine Research’ in cooperation with the IOW. This prize is awarded for outstanding doctoral theses in marine research whose results are closely related to the use of research vessels and the application and development of technology and/or data collection at sea. The prize is awarded annually by a jury and is endowed with 5,000 euros. The prize money is donated by the shipping company Briese Schiffahrts GmbH & Co. KG. Applications for the 2025 Briese Award can be submitted until October 31, 2025. |
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