Image of the month: April 2021
Supporting the ocean in climate change
Climate change is altering the ocean. This has implications for highly important fishing areas, for example off the coast of Peru. Mesocosm experiments offer a glimpse into how communities in these significant regions function, how they might change in the future, and whether they are adapting.
A mesocosm like the one pictured here can be thought of as an oversized test tube in the ocean. It is closed, except for its opening at the top, and filled with the natural water of the environment. By changing the water conditions inside, the effects on organisms such as plankton and fish are studied. These miniature ecosystems allow complex relationships to be included in research that cannot be replicated in the laboratory.
In mesocosm experiments, for example in the CUSCO, BIOACID or OceanNETs projects, marine scientists are investigating what will happen if the ocean becomes warmer and more acidic in the future. But also how best to help the ocean recover and buffer climate change in our favor. This involves regular measurements and sampling. Like here for the CUSCO project in the Peru Current off the megacity of Lima. This also leads to the one or other chance encounter with a cargo ship (always at a safe distance, of course).
Photo: Ulf Riebesell/GEOMAR
