R03: Ocean Resources

Local and global patterns in fisheries-induced evolution
Dr. Jan Dierking,  read more Fisheries-induced evolution refers to genetic changes in fish populations that are induced by the exploitation of fish stocks. Any harvesting of natural populations, including fishing, selects for certain traits in a population (Jorgensen et al. 2007). Size-selectivity of fisheries in particular, leads to a situation where fish that start to reproduce early (i.e., at low size or age) are more likely to have offspring than fish that reproduce late. In addition, though not falling directly under the term fisheries-induced evolution, fishing imposed declines in population size can lead to declines in genetic diversity. Such harvesting-induced changes in mean population traits are inevitable when the traits selected for have a heritable basis, as is almost invariably the case in life-history parameters. It is thus not surprising that more and more case-studies suggest that evolutionary changes take place in harvested fish populations, with potentially dramatic ecological and economic consequences. Interestingly, cases of fisheries-induced evolution have also provided some of the most convincing examples of rapid evolution, i.e., evolution on the time-scale of a few generations , thus stressing that humans may now be the biggest evolutionary force on earth (Palumbi 2001). My proposed work has two specific aims: Aim I is to arrive at a more general understanding of the role and effect size of factors that promote or restrain fisheries-induced evolutionary changes. For this purpose, I propose to conduct a meta-analysis based on published datasets providing direct or indirect evidence for and against fisheries-induced evolution (see details below). Aim II is to specifically assess fisheries-induced trends in maturation reaction norms in the Eastern Baltic cod stock (ICES sub-division 25). I will do so by analyzing the 25-year Baltic cod data-series of the IFM-GEOMAR and the Danish Technical University Institute of Aquatic Resources (DTU Aqua) in the context of environmental and fishery datasets for the same fishing grounds.

Controls on hydrothermal vent site locations along Mid Ocean Ridges - potential improvements for Submarine Massive Sulphide exploration strategies
read more Economically interesting mineral and metal deposits are situated at the seafloor of active plate margins. Circulating hydrothermal fluids in the oceanic crust that exit at black smoker chimneys at the seafloor are intimately related to the formation of such Submarine Massive Sulphide (SMS) deposits. The proposed work aims at understanding the relation between the tectonic state of Mid Ocean Ridges (MORs) and the location of black smoker vent sites. Using state-of-the-art numerical models we will test if off-axis venting is a natural consequence of seafloor spreading in a tectonic phase, while on-axis venting occurs during magmatic dominated phases. New insights about the position of black smoker chimneys could significantly improve the global systematic exploration of Submarine Massive Sulphide deposits.

Successful, commonly accepted fisheries management needs economics!
Dr. Rüdiger Voss,  read more Establishing successful and commonly accepted fisheries management rules is a key issue for the future sustainable use of the world ocean’s living resources. Worldwide approximately 500 million people are directly dependent on fisheries for earning their livelihood (FAO, 2012). A growing world population in combination with an increasing population concentration at the coasts is likely to further exacerbate problems linked to poor management of marine resources. The work aims at designing a successful, sustainable and commonly accepted fishery policy, by combining insights and principles of natural and social sciences, notably economics and sociology. The successful work from cluster phase one will be continued to develop and integrate ecological-economic tools in holistic fisheries management. Fisheries management has reached different levels of complexity worldwide, ranging from no regulation at all on the one hand side to very complex attempts of ecosystem-based management on the other hand. Taking this into account, the project will address these levels and try to bring in ecological-economic considerations to ‘real life’ management on three levels: - Ecological-economics and single-species management (e.g. improving standard status quo European fisheries), - Ecological-economics and multi-species management (e.g. enhancing the currently most advanced European regulation systems, like in the Baltic Sea), - Ecological-economics and ecosystem-based management (‘dreams of the future’ in European fisheries)

GQ2
Dr. Jens Schneider von Deimling,  read more The Oceans host significant resources to supply mankind’s need for energy, food, and raw materials. Marine industrial exploitation of oil and gas has started decades ago close to the shore now extending further on the continental margins towards deeper waters. Near future activities include even exploitation and mining in the deep sea for ore deposits and noble earths. Gas hydrates have been discussed as a potential energy resource, where the most prospective areas occur beyond 1000m water depth. Current research also investigates a combination of carbon storage and methane exploitation, where sequestering carbon has already been successfully put in service (e.g. Sleipner, Norway). Even without catastrophic failures such massive anthropogenic interventions will certainly affect the environment to a greater or lesser extent. A main goal is to investigate this extent and the environmental response to such anthropogenic interventions on the seafloor and to evaluate proxies for potential hazards.

Quabble
Dr. Jens Schneider von Deimling,  read more In view of global change, the use of sub-seafloor natural gas and methane hydrate resources, as well as marine carbon dioxide sequestration techniques, there is growing concern about the transfer of the greenhouse gases methane (CH4) and carbon dioxide (CO2) from sediments through the water column into the atmosphere as well as the spreading of low-pH waters due to oxidation of emitted CH4 and dissolution of leaked CO2. Crucial for our understanding of the fate of rising gas bubbles is the measurement of gas bubble sizes and their rise velocities together with chemical investigation of the gas composition. In this proposal we present a novel approach for quantitative stereo-optic imaging and fully automated gas bubble size and flux determinations. Those results can subsequently be used as input parameters for geochemical and hydroacoustic modeling.

Analysis of spatial differentiated shadow prices using the example of the Pacific skipjack tuna
read more The development of fish populations is usually modeled by time-dependent differential equations. Until now, the analysis of the overfishing problem in resource economics considers ordinary differential equations, and differentiation in space is neglected. In this project we study the research question: To what extent do explicit spatial considerations change the economic analysis of the overfishing problem? To address this question, we use a fishery model including spatial variability which implies the usage of partial differential equations. Such models include the fish reproduction, perishing, movement and the impact of fisheries. We will specifically consider the Pacific skipjack tuna fishery, which is basically an open access resource, yet the stock is in an underexploited state. Employing the spatially explicit mathematical fishery model, we will describe the strategy of a fishing fleet as an economically optimal control problem with the target function of maximizing the present value of profits. We will use the resulting shadow price of the fish stock as a quantitative measure of potential overfishing and study how it depends on central biological and economical parameters. Our central hypothesis is that the spatial behavior of the fish population explains why fishing is so costly that harvesting is at a relatively sustainable level even under conditions of open access.

Biogeochemistry and Ecology of Oxygen Depleted Eddies in the Eastern Tropical Atlantic
Dr. Johannes Karstensen,  read more The recent discovery of isolated low oxygen (O2) water masses in the generally well ventilated open ocean region near the Cape Verde Archipelago changed our understanding of oceanic processes in this area. The eastern tropical North Atlantic (ETNA) is characterized by a highly productive coastal upwelling system off northwest Africa, enhanced Saharan dust deposition, and a moderate O2 minimum zone (OMZ) with lowest O2 concentrations just under 40 μmol/kg. Current understanding is that the ETNA OMZ has been expanding over the past decades both in terms of vertical extent and intensity . Nevertheless, the recently observed exceptionally low O2 concentrations just below the mixed layer ranging from hypoxic (<20 μmol/kg) to even anoxic (<1 μmol/kg) conditions have never been reported before for the ETNA. These O2 depleted isolated water masses were attributed to mesoscale eddies which originated in the highly productive coastal Mauritanian upwelling and propagated westwards. We propose a multi-facetted interdisciplinary field study in the eastern tropical North Atlantic to investigate biogeochemical and ecological processes in recently discovered eddies that entail unexpected subsurface anoxia and hypoxia in the open ocean.

Invasion of Mediterranean mussels into a warming Baltic Sea: will hybridization with local mussels impact emerging aquaculture enterprises?
read more Recent evidence for the occurence of invasive Mediterranean blue mussels (Mytilus galloprovincialis) in the Baltic Sea1 indicates that in the future, local mussel communities might become a mixture of hybrids between M. galloprovincialis and the native M. edulis x M. trossulus hybrids, particularly when considering future climate change scenarios. As hybridization can affect many ecologically and economically relevant traits, it is paramount to obtain a deeper understanding of the current genetic composition of Baltic Sea mussel populations. We propose to test for reproductive barriers between the three species and to study, whether emerging aquaculture enterprises might be endangered by extensive hybridization of mussels. Hybridization can lead to mussels with reduced shell strength and growth performance, a significant economical problem for mussel aquacultures. We propose to analyze population genetics of local hybrids using next generation transcriptome sequencing and crossing experiments. Further, we propose to measure fitness of generated hybrid offspring under different abiotic conditions, model larval drift to estimate population connectivity in the Baltic Sea and test for performance of hybrids in a local aquaculture enterprise.

Marine Spatial Planning Game
Dr. Jörn Schmidt,  read more This project will initiate a partnership between the Future Ocean Cluster and the Earth Institute at Columbia University by collaborating on development of a novel, game-based platform that builds on prior investments of both partners. We propose to develop a computer-based interactive and interdisciplinary spatial planning game, that will combine the strengths of Kiel’s ecoOcean platform with the SMARTIC (Strategic MAnagement of Resources in TImes of Change) tool under development by the Earth Institute. Specifically, this proposal requests support to 1) adapt EcoOcean’s simulation software to depict region-specific case studies guided by the framework of the SMARTIC role playing game, and 2) to research the game’s effectiveness in helping the public and decision makers become “more aware of the need for responsible and sustainable use of the ocean …”

Mineralogical And Geochemical Assessment Of Seafloor Massive Sulfide (Sms) Deposits At Mid-Ocean Ridges
Prof. Mark Hannington,  read more Polymetallic seafloor massive sulfide (SMS) deposits were first found in oceanic crust in 1977 and more than 300 sites of seafloor hydrothermal activity are now known in a variety of tectonic settings. About 200 are confirmed sites of high-temperature venting and polymetallic sulfide deposition with 65% located at midocean ridges. More detailed work about the distribution, size and nature of SMS deposits is crucial now that they are being evaluated as potential future resources for critical minerals. This project will utilize known deposits to understand geometallurgical properties of mid-ocean ridge SMS, including the mineralogy, physical rock properties, geochemistry, trace elements, isotopic systematics and their relationship to volcanic and tectonic settings in the oceans to understand the range of conditions impacting future exploration and exploitation. State-of-the-art analytical facilities, including conventional and multi-collector ICP-MS will be utilized to explore the application of trace elements (and heavy metal isotopes) in the interpretation of metal fluxes, mass accumulation rates and biogeochemical interactions. Recent advances in laser ablation ICP-MS now permit comprehensive characterization and “fingerprinting” of different ore-forming systems, and this technique will be used to better constrain the origins of metal-rich brine and metal concentrations in the reaction zones of mid-ocean ridge seafloor hydrothermal systems. It is essential for future sustainable seafloor resource exploitation that quantifiable models of resource formation are available and that the targeted resources are fully characterized before they are exploited. This is necessary for development of mineral processing technologies and mitigating environmental impacts and possible future trace metal contamination.

Parametric rotated sonar as a new tool for versatile seafloor classification
read more Acoustic surveying using singlebeam echosounders represents one state of the art technology for seafloor classifications by echo shape analyses. In turn swath sonar multibeam offers an alternative by inversion of acoustic angular response into seafloor properties. We suggest combining both approaches for the first time with a novel technique providing swath capabilities to singlebeam systems. The new approach additionally targets near-subbottom volume scattering as a potentially reliable habitat proxy that has been neglected so far. The approach has the potential for a much improved seabed classification compared to previous approaches by introducing angular response and nearsubbottom scattering analyses together with statistical tools.

Habitat‐specific acoustic monitoring (HAM)
Dr. Peter Feldens,  read more The monitoring of shallow water environments is important for spatial planning of the coastal zone, as reflected in large EU initiatives. However, the efficient monitoring of benthic habitats is difficult and time-consuming. The proposed study investigates new approaches to monitor habitats using acoustic methods. We test the hypotheses that a) different benthic habitats on hard- and soft bottoms have a characteristic surface roughness, b) changing habitat population density and composition affect the surface roughness and c) characteristic roughness and its change over time are detectable by high-frequency acoustic angular backscatter. To test the hypotheses, seafloor roughness at the mm scale and corresponding high-frequency angular backscatter will be measured simultaneously for selected habitats and reference sites over an annual cycle. If the hypotheses are successfully tested, habitat-specific acoustic monitoring methods can be established. Applied from AUV systems, this would allow efficient monitoring of large areas. Efficient monitoring of benthic habitats opens interdisciplinary applications, e.g., within the FONA project to test the correlation between seafloor habitats and the distribution top predators such as birds.

Microbial strategies against gas‐hydrate formation
Prof. Klaus Wallmann,  read more Gas-hydrates form under high pressure - low temperature conditions in the presence of high concentrations of hydrate-forming gases (e.g. CH4, H2S, CO2 or small hydrocarbons) and H2O. In industrial gas production and delivery in pipelines, gashydrates can form rapidly and block even large diameter pipelines, which often leads to dangerous process shutdown. Hence, gas-hydrate inhibition has been a major focus in flow assurance research for many decades [1]. Conventionally, industrial flow assurance relies on adding large amounts of chemicals (~30 vol%) to the pipeline flow (e.g. methanol or ethylene glycol). With upcoming interest in producing natural gas from marine gas-hydrate reservoirs, novel environmentally friendly and sustainable gas-hydrate inhibition strategies are needed. We hypothesize that microorganisms at natural marine oil and gas seeps have developed effective mechanisms inhibiting gas-hydrate formation to avoid being frozen inside a solid gashydrate matrix. These microorganisms have not been described so far, but would be of keen scientific interest not only to better understand microbial activity and diversity at deep sea oil and gas seeps (objective of research topics R03, R07) but also to open a novel way towards establishing a biological, “green” gas-hydrate inhibition technology (research topic R04). We propose to study microbial gas-hydrate inhibition mechanisms in active biomass from sediment samples collected at the Eel River oil and gas seeps in summer 2014 [2]. To address our objectives we will use our high-pressure incubation systems and advanced monitoring strategies, which allow controlled simulation of deep sea seep environments and selective enrichment of relevant microorganisms.

Mathematical modeling and model‐based optimal control and estimation of microalgae growth processes
Prof. Thomas Meurer,  read more Microalgae have gained increasing focus as a natural resource for biofuels, aquaculture feed, nutrition complements, and cosmetics. Herein, the complex interplay of the algae metabolism with its environment represents a challenge for process control and optimization to maximize yield while minimizing production costs. The objective of this proposal is to overcome this burden by an interdisciplinary approach combining methods from process control and biological insight to develop mathematical models of microalgae growth processes which enable prediction of the culture evolution to address process design, optimal control and state estimation.

Autonomous Fish Echosounding – or How Combining High‐Tech Oceanography, Hydroacoustics and Citizen Science
Dr. Jörn Schmidt,  read more Increasing overexploitation of worldwide fish stocks, in particular in developing countries, calls for cost effective fisheries and ecosystem data collection as basis for sustainable stock management strategies. Here, we propose a pilot study that links state-of-the-art oceanographic research with echosounding technology and fishermen citizen science. This study aims to develop autonomous monitoring capabilites for small pelagic fish around Cape Verde Islands that are piggy-backed to oceanographic observations.

Characterizing trophic links in pelagic ecosystems with stable isotope fingerprinting of amino acids
Dr. Nils Andersen,  read more We propose investigating major trophic pathways within the pelagic system of the Sargasso Sea by applying a novel set of amino acid
13C and
15N markers. These provide a powerful tool for inferring major source of primary production, trophic position of consumers, and potentially also the macromolecular composition of the diets. In contrast to bulk isotopes, the compound specific markers can be used without adjusting for variable isotopic baseline values. Developing sensitive in situ markers for pelagic ecosystems is important in light of anthropogenic disturbance and global change.

Tracing the food sources of wild and farmed Atlantic salmons (Salmo salar) with amino acid stable carbon and nitrogen isotope analysis
Dr. Nils Andersen,  read more Aquaculture represents the most efficient method to convert feed to edible protein, but with the drawback that traditional feeds, fishmeal and fish oil, impact the environment. To minimize these impacts, more sustainable alternatives to traditional feedstuff are being used and tested. This has created a need for developing a method for tracing and authenticating seafood from tissue samples. We propose developing a technique for identifying dietary sources of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) using amino acid stable carbon and nitrogen isotope analysis. Developing a reliable tracer will increase transparency of seafood and incentivize sustainable practices.

General Purpose Underwater Spectral Imaging
Dr. Henk-Jan Hoving,  read more We will establish underwater spectral imaging as a new technology for the Kiel marine sciences. Spectral characteristics of samples will be measured in the lab, the technology for recording such data in-situ as well as the related image processing will be developed. Complementary spectral acquisition techniques will be combined for applying these methods to science topics from biology to geology.

Towards real-time assessment of marine hazards: Testing the feasibility of seafloor displacement measurements for monitoring submarine landslides
Dr. Felix Gross,  read more By 2060 more than 1 Billion people could be living in low-elevation coastal zones (Neumann et al. 2015). Continental margins are increasingly used for wind parks, hydrocarbon extraction, pipelines, telecommunication cables, fishing, and mining. The increasing coastal population and new ventures in offshore human activities set new challenges to the assessment and mitigation of marine hazards. Submarine landslides, which have repeatedly caused devastating tsunamis and destroyed seabed infrastructure, are one of the most dangerous marine hazards. In contrast to earthquakes, where endangered areas are relatively well constrained and recurrence rates are often known from historic records, occurrence and timing of submarine landslides remain largely enigmatic (Talling et al. 2014). Therefore, hazard assessments for submarine landslides are more difficult than for other marine geohazards. Given the urgent need for improved hazard assessments, key future challenges are the identification of endangered areas, real-time monitoring of submarine slopes, and development of early warning systems. This project aims to take a step towards these challenges by (I) testing the feasibility of seafloor instruments for in-situ monitoring of landslide-related seafloor deformation, and (II) benchmarking how the data can be used to gain insight into active landslide processes. If successful, landslide monitoring will not only improve our understanding of submarine landslide processes but may well provide a basis for future hazard assessment, disaster mitigation, preparedness, and sustainable use of seafloor resources, making Kiel a pioneer in the field.

Adding fuel to the fish: Perceptions and adaptability of Nigerian fisherfolk to impacts from climate change and petroleum production
Dr. Jörn Schmidt,  read more Fishing communities in coastal parts of Nigeria face an increase in exploitation of fish stocks and in use conflicts with the petroleum production in their waters. To study the interdependence of these sectors and the additional threat of climate change and pollution, we propose a study, which collects data on the economic situation as well as perceptions of threats and regulations within the coastal communities by means of interview surveys, linking existing and new scientific knowledge with local knowledge. Questionnaire development as well as results appraisal will be carried out in dialogue with key stakeholders. Results will reveal adaptation potential of these communities and provide scientific advice for the region. The project strengthens international collaboration, capacity building and expertise in trans-disciplinary science.

Sediment stabilization through biotechnically enhanced microbial mineral formation
Prof. Frank Wuttke,  read more Mechanical and hydraulic behavior of sub-sea sediments is poorly understood, and prediction of sediment destabilization and mechanical failure is linked to extreme uncertainties. This concerns deep-sea technical activities such as drilling, natural gas production or deployment of deep-sea equipment, stimulating intense effort towards developing novel strategies for sub-marine soil or slope stabilization. Inspired by recent success of microbial carbonate precipitation for terrestrial civil and environmental engineering objectives such as soil stabilization or building restoration1,2, it is assumed that biotechnical precipitation of carbonate minerals could also be the remedy for sub-sea sediment stability issues3. Although engineering objectives appear to be similar, technology transfer might be complicated due to vastly different physical, chemical and microbiological conditions in terrestrial and marine environments. Here we propose a combined microbiological-geomechanical approach to elucidate biotechnical potentials of microbial precipitation and mineral formation for sub-sea sediment stabilization. Our key objective is to test and quantify mechanical and hydraulic effects from different microbially precipitated amorphous phases and minerals (Ca.Mg-carbonates, metal sulfides, metal oxides/hydroxides) under in situ conditions in high-pressure flow-through incubation studies using novel and unique triaxial test systems4. This project brings together scientists from marine microbiology and soil mechanics, combining expertise from CAU and GEOMAR workgroups synergistically in collaborative lab experiments, data evaluation and numerical simulation.

Understanding physiological processes to improve animal welfare and production capacity of shrimp aquaculture systems in Schleswig-Holstein
Dr. Marian Hu,  read more Shrimp aquaculture leaves a tremendous footprint on the coastal zone of many tropical countries (e.g. via deforestation of mangrove ecosystems) and animals are often treated with heavy doses of antibiotics to fight bacterial diseases1. Recently, a recirculating shrimp aquaculture farm has established itself in Kiel that produces animals that are free from antibiotics. However, due to the high stocking densities necessary to operate economically, the system accumulates CO2, which impacts animal physiology and welfare, as well as system productivity. Here, we propose a transdisciplinary approach to investigate how high CO2 experienced in shrimp farms influences animal acid-base status and how this impacts animal behavior, growth performance, shrimp palatability and shrimp susceptibility to bacterial disease. In addition, we propose to characterize the carbonate system dynamics within the shrimp farm in order to develop measures to help stakeholders create carbonate system conditions that increase animal well–being, productivity and product sensory quality at the same time.

Otolith time machines: unlocking the potential of historic fish sample archives to reconstruct the past
Prof. Ulrich Sommer,  read more Rapid shifts of entire ecosystems, termed “regime shifts”, are severe but poorly understood consequences of global change. To understand such shifts, we propose to investigate the processes underlying the Baltic regime shift in the 1980s using archived otoliths. Specifically, we aim to retroactively characterize long-term (1978-2016) changes in benthic vs. pelagic feeding of the top predator cod by applying traditional bulk sulfur and nitrogen stable isotope and novel single compound carbon stable isotope analyses to otolith protein samples for the first time. If successful, the resulting case study will set a precedent for the use of historical sample collections to elucidate biological implications of global change.

Revealing Cape Verdean marine hotspots: Multidisciplinary, long-term and high-resolution observations with a novel Modular Ecosystem Observatory
Dr. Sascha Flögel,  read more Cape Verde (CV) waters are the habitat of unique populations of pelagic predatory fishes and sharks. A poor understanding of key regions for these predators and their prey prevents proper management and conservation and underlines the need for ecosystem data. We propose to develop an interlinked, multidisciplinary and modular ecosystem observatory that will enable the assessment of temporal dynamics of predators and prey in their biogeochemical and physical environment, using seamounts as testbeds for our proof of concept.