The Future Ocean
Template: Infobox university / carrier missing template: Infobox university / student missing template: Infobox university / staff missing template: Infobox university / professors missing
The Cluster of Excellence Future Ocean is an interdisciplinary, funded by the DFG research network of the Christian -Albrechts -Universität zu Kiel ( CAU) in cooperation with the Muthesius Academy ( MKH microphones ), the Institute for World Economics ( Kiel Institute ) and the Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research ( GEOMAR). The Cluster of Excellence was established in November 2006 as part of the Excellence Initiative of the German Federal and State Governments. Part of the cluster is the " Integrated School of Ocean Sciences " ( ISOS ), which was established as a central platform for post-graduate teaching of Marine Sciences in Kiel.
Objectives
The ocean plays a crucial role in the global climate system, entails risks such as tsunamis and tidal waves, but at the same time an economic potential in the form of submarine natural resources.
The cluster has made it his mission to provide the necessary scientific basis in ocean research. This base will serve in the development of sustainable options for action and use strategies in cooperation with politics and economics, to allow adequate, knowledge-based and environmentally sound decisions for the ocean.
First funding period
During the first funding period, which lasted from 1 November 2006 to 31 October 2012, the Cluster of Excellence Future Ocean in two areas of research which are subdivided into a total of 13 working groups, as well as a central administrative area was divided. The research areas were: ( A) "The Ocean and Climate Change" and (B) "Resources and Risks of the Ocean". The Central Government Area were different infrastructure platforms ( P1 - P4) under organized.
The Ocean in climate change
The research area (A) "The Ocean and Climate Change" was concerned with the causes and effects of climate change on the present ocean. It was investigated to what extent changes in the ocean, and depend on each other and can optionally be up to one another. It was divided into seven working groups.
The working group of the " ocean acidification " dealt with the effects of ocean acidification on marine organisms and tried to figure out how these organisms can tolerate the changes in pCO2. It was this carried out in laboratory and field experiments to compare the physiological responses of particularly tolerant groups ( zBCephalopoden ) and particularly vulnerable groups ( zBBivalven ) and to judge.
The extent to which global warming will affect the temperatures on the seabed, was examined by the working group " warming of the ocean floor ." Furthermore, they dealt with the question of whether a warming at the bottom of the ocean to a destabilization of gas hydrates in particularly sensitive regions, such as can lead to the Arctic Ocean.
The mathematical optimization of CO2 uptake models was the goal of the working group " CO2 uptake of the ocean ". In order to explore the future behavior of the ocean as a CO2 buffer for the growing emissions in the atmosphere, it is necessary to simulate the factors responsible for recording ( ocean circulation, biogeochemical processes) as exactly as possible.
The working group of the ocean circulation hoped their research past to better understand current and future climate mechanisms. They focused on the modeling particularly on ocean circulation, marine biogeochemical cycles and the atmospheric hydrological cycle. The objectives of the working group were, firstly, to simulate fundamentally different climatic conditions than today, and to validate other climate reconstructions from Paläoproxydaten.
The working group " CO2 Sequestration " Cluster of Excellence Future Ocean dealt with the CO2 capture and long-term storage in the area of the ocean.
In the working group " Ocean surface chemistry " focused its attention on the thin film of surface-active substances on the sea surface, which is known to impair gas exchange between the ocean and atmosphere even at low wind speeds. Modern optical help, mainly laser - based detection tools to decipher the structure, composition and chemical reactivity of these surfaces.
The working group "Assessment of the Ocean" considered economically judgmental wide variety of services which the man from the ocean. It questions regarding the "CO2 - management," the "Ocean iron fertilization " and its economic feasibility were treated.
Resources and risks of the ocean
The research area (B) " resources and risks of the ocean " dealt with a variety of resources, degradation, and recovery opportunities, but also with the sustainable usability of these in the ocean as well as the possible risks that can keep ready the ocean for humans. It was divided into six working groups.
In the working group " fishing and overfishing ," they tried to develop more efficient management methods that promote the sustainable use of the global fish resource. To this end, an interdisciplinary research was needed, the ecological and economic aspects considered and integrated into their models.
In recent years it has been discovered that many genes that are responsible for the formation of inflammatory diseases in humans, have a phylogenetically ancient origin. These ancient genes can retrieve and study in the simplest marine Metazoa. The task of the working group " Navy Medicine" to investigate the molecular interactions within marine organisms, with all its associated micro-organisms and to investigate how they, for example, was contribute to the stabilization of the epithelial milieu.
In the ocean, large amounts are found in natural raw materials of commercial interest. Gold, copper and zinc can be found in sulphide deposits at hydrothermal vents. Methane hydrates can occur in the sedimentary layers of the continental shelves. The working group " resources on the ocean floor " focused on the numerical modeling of the processes that lead to the formation of mineral deposits and potential deposits, and ultimately to conduct forecasts of its global distribution.
Earthquakes, submarine landslides and resulting tsunamis are major threats to the coasts of all the continents and the people living there. The scientists of the cluster in the working group " Submarine Hazards " worked on the assessment of the link between the structure and dynamics of subduction zones and a possible earthquake cycle. Furthermore, we worked on the study of slope stability problems on continental margins.
In order to make reliable predictions about the future coastal development, you need a solid understanding of the complex and interacting coastal processes. The working group " Sea level rise and coasts at risk," focused here on the discovery of rapid physical and morphological changes to the risk from natural and anthropogenic processes coasts of the earth, and in particular of estuarine systems. Furthermore, we examined the risks in the interaction of klimainduziertem sea level rise and the existing threats to the coasts are likely to occur.
The working group " maritime law " dealt with the analysis of existing rights framework in the light of current challenges that derive from climate change, increased energy scarcity of resources and the future, and possibly higher exploitation of the seas.
Infrastructure platforms
The following four infrastructure platforms were the scientists of the Excellence Cluster during the first period of funding available.
The "Numerical Simulation" played an important role in ocean research. In particular, in the areas of CO2 uptake of the ocean and ocean circulation a high-performance infrastructure is necessary. This consisted among other things of a private server for processing seismic data, NEC SX -8 supercomputer as well as various high-tech computer programs for fast data processing.
The " Tracer Analysis" was crucial in the areas of ocean surface chemistry, ocean acidification, resources on the seabed and warming of the ocean floor. The clusters were various high-tech analysis systems. Among them, a gas chromatograph - isotope ratio mass spectrometer (GC -IRMS ) MAT 253 and other highly specialized mass spectrometer were.
The infrastructure sector " molecular " technology was mainly used by the biologists of the cluster in the areas of ocean acidification, warming of the ocean floor and marine medicine. He made all the necessary technologies are available which were necessary for the analysis of organic samples. These consist among other things of a Qiagen BR8000, a 3730xl DNA Analyzer and a Biacore X100 and various devices for the sampling of organic material together on research vessels.
For the infrastructure sector "Ocean Observatories " included all the instruments were for observation of the ocean in the service of the cluster. Of particular importance was the application in the fields of sea level rise, Undersea dangers and resources on the seabed. Instruments that were available were, inter alia, 300 L mesocosms, " ocean tracer injection systems " ( OTIS ), FlowCAM, a shallow-water side-scan sonar, optical instruments for in - situ particle size spectra determination and seismometers. Furthermore, several modifications to the ROV Kiel 6000 made to support the research of the cluster. Even underwater gliders were used.
Second Funding Period
On 15 June 2012, the nationwide Grants Committee has decided on the Excellence Initiative for an extension of funding for five years. During this second funding period from 1 November 2012 to 31 October 2017, the Research Areas ( A) "The Ocean and Climate Change" and (B) "Resources and Risks of the Ocean" the first funding period will be terminated and in the large, fully integrated research area (R ) " research Topics" involved. The research area (R ) is divided into 11 multi-disciplinary working groups. The administration and infrastructure platforms (P1 - P4) are combined in the new area (S ) " Scientific Support ".
In the group " Our common Future Ocean" come together researchers from the fields of ethics, economics, art, politics, legal and Marine Sciences and working on a concept for a sustainable usable ocean.
Legal, policy, marine scientists, economists, philosophers and geographers review in the working group " government of the Ocean" existing and propose new approaches before, to govern the ocean sustainable.
In the " Resources of the Ocean", biologists, geologists, economists and legal scholars in exploring the potential of organic and inorganic raw materials in the sea and on new ways of managing this very.
In the working group "Innovations from the ocean " research biologists, medical and material scientists to chemical, structural and physical principles from the ocean to them for bionic materials, surface microstructures to use coatings for medical products or food supplements.
Economists, legal scholars, mathematicians, geochemists, geologists and marine biologists work in the working group " The ocean as a CO2 storage ' to an estimate of the potential and the limitations of marine CO2 sequestration techniques.
Geologists, geoengineers, economists and legal scholars explore the working group " dangers of the ocean " oceanic hazards and their socio -economic impacts.
Biologists, chemists, geochemists, geologists, oceanographers and mathematicians explore the enrichment, transformation and transportation of climate-relevant substances and on the ocean surface in the working group " boundaries of the Ocean".
In the working group "Evolution in the Ocean" try biogeochemists, marine ecologists, biologists and physicians, the rapid evolutionary changes of populations, species, and companies in connection with their biogeochemical environment to evaluate.
Geophysicists, geochemists, Paläozeanographen and climate modelers explore in the working group " Oceanic regulatory systems " the ocean's role in past climate and environmental changes and try to decipher the main processes and potential climate- controlled turning points in order to make statements about the future global warming can.
Chemical and physical oceanographers, computer scientists, geochemists, geologists, economists and legal scholars develop sensors and programs in the working group "Observation of the Ocean" to enable improved global, regional and sustainable Observation of the ocean.
In the working group " predictions " climate modelers and mathematicians working on improving modern climate models to elucidate the changes in regional ocean dynamics and biogeochemistry over the next 50 to 100 years.
Organization
The General Assembly consists of the members of the cluster. It is convened at least annually. The right to vote and to be elected are only full members, associate members have no voting rights and are not selectable. The Speaker or his representative conduct the meeting. The General Assembly elects the Speaker of the Cluster of Excellence and a Vice-Speaker, further it selects from among them depending on a speaker for each research activity as well as an alternate.
The Council consists of the members of the Board, the coordinators of the research themes and the main applicants. The Council shall be convened at least twice a year and headed by the Speaker of the cluster of excellence. The Council shall decide by vote on the overall funding application to the DFG, the Board proposes the inclusion of new project areas and sets up committees and elect their members.
The Board consists of the Speaker, the Deputy Speaker, the speakers of the research activities, a representative for gender issues, a spokesman for the junior research group leader, a representative of the activities listed in the Cluster of Excellence, a representative of the activities listed in the Cluster of Excellence postdoctoral fellow, the President of the CAU, the Director of the GEOMAR, the President of the Institute of World Economy and the President of the Muthesius Academy. The Executive Board shall meet once a month, unless an agenda exists. It is headed by the Speaker of the Excellence Cluster. The Board decides on personnel matters of the Cluster of Excellence, unless they fall within the competence of appointment committees. He decides on the basis of the internal review process on the use of the Cluster of Excellence granted by the DFG funds as well as the composition of the Scientific Advisory Board.
Speaker and co-ordination team
Scientific Advisory Board ( " Advisory Board " )
Decisions of the organs are taken by simple majority of members present and voting. A voice transmission is not permitted. The required quorum for an institution, the presence of at least 50 % of the voting members is required.
Principal Investigators
The scientific management of individual research topics is up to the 25 so-called " principal investigator ". Everyone is a leading scientist in his field of specialization. Furthermore, there are 12 " Junior Principal Investigators". They are the junior research group leaders who were employed in Phase I.
Principal Investigators
Junior Principal Investigators
Swell
- .. Future Ocean: Annual Report 2008, Kiel 2009 Online (PDF, 6.2 MB)
- .. Future Ocean: Annual Report 2009, Kiel 2010 Online (PDF, 7.1 MB)
- .. Future Ocean: Annual Report 2010, Kiel 2011 Online (PDF, 7.2 MB)
- Future Ocean: Renewal proposal for a cluster of excellence The Future Ocean. Kiel 2011.
Further Reading
- Future Ocean, maribus. World Ocean Review 2010 mare Verlag, Berlin 2010 Online.