For the first time, the European Research Council (ERC) has awarded one of the renowned “ERC Advanced Grants” to a scientist of GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel. Marine biologist Prof. Ulf Riebesell has received 2.5 million Euros for the research project “Ocean artUp”. Using laboratory and field experiments, modelling and studies in the open ocean, Prof. Riebesell and his team intend to investigate the effects of a technically-induced mixing of the water column. This approach mimics natural upwelling – a process that transports nutrient-rich deep water to the sun-lit surface layer of the ocean and boosts productivity. Applied in the permanent nutrient-poor “ocean deserts” that cover nearly 40 per cent of the seas, it might favour food production and contribute to the development of sustainable fisheries and aquaculture. In addition, forced upwelling of deep water might be used to produce renewable energy and is debated as a possible mechanism for carbon dioxide storage in the deep ocean. “Ocean artUp” will provide the first comprehensive dataset for evaluating the benefits and risks of the different applications of artificial upwelling.
The project funded by the ERC takes advantage of two unique systems successfully developed at GEOMAR – the KOSMOS offshore mesocosm facility and a deep-water collector. Field experiments will be carried out off Gran Canary as part of a cooperation between the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (ULPGC), the research station PLOCAN and GEOMAR. These studies will be complemented by a research cruise investigating oceanic eddies south of the Canaries. Nutrient-rich deep water is naturally drawn to the surface in these eddies, stimulating plankton production and providing fertile ground for higher trophic levels – which ultimately benefits fisheries in the region. Various modelling techniques will be applied to test whether the understanding obtained locally can be extrapolated to other parts of the ocean.
“The ERC grant provides us with an opportunity to assess the feasibility of forced upwelling for the purpose of increasing fish production. Critically important, the grant also helps us to evaluate the associated risks and possible side effects”, Prof. Riebesell explains. “So far, we know very little about the possible effects of this approach on marine life and biogeochemical cycles. This is key to understanding whether this intervention in the complex marine ecosystem is ecologically sensible and economically viable.”
“We are very pleased that for the first time a GEOMAR scientist has received one of these highly distinguished research grants”, says GEOMAR director Prof. Peter Herzig. “This is an outstanding recognition for Prof. Riebesell and his team. Already in 2012, Prof. Riebesell demonstrated that he is one of the top scientists at GEOMAR when he received the prestigious Leibniz Prize of the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft – the most highly endowed science award in Germany.”
Links:
https://erc.europa.eu/ The European Research Council, ERC
http://www.ulpgc.es/node The University Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (ULPGC)
http://www.plocan.eu//es/ Plataforma Oceánica de Canarias (PLOCAN)
Contact:
Maike Nicolai (GEOMAR, Communication & Media), Tel.: 0431 600-2807, presse@geomar.de
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