Ocean Research Kiel News

Tropical coral reefs lose up to two thirds of their zooplankton through ocean acidification. This is the conclusion reached by a German-Australian research team that examined two reefs with so-called carbon dioxide seeps off the coast of Papua New Guinea. At these locations volcanic carbon dioxide escapes from the seabed, lowering the water’s acidity to a level, which scientists predict for the future of the oceans. The researchers believe that the decline in zooplankton is due to the loss of suitable hiding places. It results from the changes in the coral reef community due to increasing acidification. Instead of densely branched branching corals, robust mounding species of hard coral grow, offering the zooplankton little shelter.

Global surface warming has slowed since the start of the twenty-first century, while Pacific heat uptake was enhanced. Analyses of ocean heat content suggest that the warm water was transferred to the Indian Ocean, through the Indonesian straits, reports "Natue". Scientists reported that the Indian Ocean heat content has risen sharply, accounting for more than 70% of the global ocean heat gain in the upper 700 metres of the Indian Ocean over the past decade. The scientists conclude the Indian Ocean has become increasingly important in altering global climate variability. A team led by University of Miami and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) researcher Sang-Ki Lee experimented with a global climate model.

The MacArtney Group announced the delivery of a CORMAC 4 Stainless Steel Winch system to the Institute of Geosciences at the Christian Albrechts University of Kiel. The winch system, which was acquired through German MacArtney Group member, MBT GmbH, will be put to use aboard various research vessels, hereunder the R/V Alkor, which is operated by the GEOMAR Helmholtz Center for Ocean Research Kiel. Housed within a self-contained and compact stainless steel structure, the CORMAC winch is rugged…