International collaboration to study the effects of global warming in the Mediterranean Sea

What can the eastern Mediterranean Sea tell us about the future oceans?

Helmholtz International Laboratory: The Eastern Mediterranean Sea Future Ocean Research (EMSFORE).

The Eastern Mediterranean Sea (EMS) is one of the most rapidly changing ocean basins on our planet, impacted by both climate change and extensive anthropogenic pressures. The overarching aim of the Helmholtz International Laboratory – a joint project of GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel (Germany) and the Leon H. Charney School of Marine Sciences, University of Haifa (Israel) is to use the EMS, from the coast to the deep ocean, as a natural laboratory to gain mechanistic and quantitative understanding of biogeochemical and ecosystem transitions of a future (sub)tropical ocean (covering 40% of global ocean) affected by global warming and other anthropogenic pressures.

The first face-to-face workshop (held in Kiel, Germany, September 24-26, 2024) led by Eric Achterberg and Tom Browning (GEOMAR) and Ilana Berman-Frank (Haifa) brought together the German and Israeli teams including researchers, graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, and associated scientist & students.

Key Highlights include:

  • Presentations of project progress
  • Project overview and discussions of current and future plans.
  • Preliminary results presented from the January 2024 expedition (Meteor M197 cruise) to the eastern Mediterranean
  • Hands-on experience – demonstrating sensor deployment (and analyses) in Kiel Fjord
  • Tour of GEOMAR and its facilities.

The workshop provided an invaluable platform for our young researchers to showcase their work and engage in stimulating scientific discussions. Topics ranged from physical oceanography and trace elements to phytoplankton and zooplankton dynamics, sediment analyses, sensor development, and modeling.

Beyond the academic realm, we fostered deeper connections through evening dinner & beers, a boat trip, a forest excursion, and even immersion in the icy fjord waters!  These social activities strengthened our international collaboration and team spirit.

We are incredibly proud of our team’s dedication and the quality of research presented. This workshop has set a strong foundation for the remaining years of our project, promising exciting discoveries in Eastern Mediterranean marine science.

Looking forward to our next milestone!