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Knowledge for the sustainable use of coasts, seas and oceans

Oceans are essential for survival: for millions of species whose habitat they are, as well as for us humans. Connected by currents, the ocean forms the largest interconnected ecosystem in the world. In addition to its climate-regulating function, it is the basis of life for a growing world population and provides food, resources, transportation routes and jobs. In order to preserve the oceans as the basis of our lives, we need knowledge about the interaction between humans and the marine environment, the role of the oceans in climate change and the responsible use of the ocean. Developing this knowledge is the task of German marine research institutions.

The DAM pools the diverse topics of its members from marine research and makes them visible to the outside world. The aim is to provide solution-oriented knowledge as a basis for decisions in politics, business and civil society and thus to promote the sustainable management of coasts, seas and oceans. As diverse as the research projects and topics of marine research are, they can be summarized in the following categories:

 

The seas and oceans are home to millions of marine species – the essential “performers” of coastal, marine and ocean ecosystem services. They provide oxygen to breathe and food for more than one-third of humanity. If species are severely depleted or become extinct and thus lose their ecological functions, the consequences can be severe.

The ocean regulates the climate and slows global warming by absorbing a large part of the temperature generated by human-made greenhaous gas emissions. However, sea levels and water temperatures rise as a result, and the water is becoming more acidic – all of which has consequences, for marine life and humans alike.

Fish and other sea creatures are an important source of food for humans. In addition, there is the extraction of resources, the construction of plants for energy production and shipping traffic. In addition, more and more people are seeking recreation on cruises and along the coasts. Increasing use is putting pressure on marine ecosystems.

Increasing pollution from waste and harmful substances is putting a considerable strain on the oceans. Floods of plastic waste on the beaches or oily seabirds after a tanker accident are particularly visible. However, most environmental problems do not occur so openly, but far from the coast and hidden beneath the sea surface. Noise is also a serious threat to marine mammals. The DAM has produced a factsheet on the topic of “munitions in the sea (in German)”.

Humans have also created borders in the ocean and created zones where ownership of certain areas and their resources are regulated. But ocean currents transport water masses, living creatures, pollutants and waste across borders and into remote areas. Successful ocean management therefore requires collaborative solutions aimed at protecting and using the oceans sustainably.

Despite all the thematic freedom, marine researchers need structural conditions to be able to conduct effective research: for example, interdisciplinary research networks, a shared research fleet or tailored funding. In addition to university and non-university institutions involved in active marine research, partners from society and politics are also part of the research community.

Latest news by topic

Biodiversity

Zweieinhalb Wochen werden die Forschenden mit der METEOR im Nordatlantik unterwegs sein, um die Beutetiere der Zahnwale mit modernster Technik zu untersuchen.
METEOR expedition M202 investigates the ecology of prey to better understand hunting behaviour of toothed whales in the Atlantic
· GEOMAR
Das deutsche Forschungsschiff Polarstern
How is the dramatic decline in sea ice affecting biodiversity?
· AWI
Luftaufnahme der Probenahmestelle an der Küste von Panama.
Small, but smart: How symbiotic bacteria adapt to big environmental changes
· MPI-MM
Greifarm eines Unterwasserroboters bei seiner Arbeit im Scheinwerferlicht
Award for research into the deep biosphere

How and what do microorganisms in deep-sea soils live on? How do their metabolic...

· MARUM
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Climate Change

Berge, Eis, Meer
Expedition investigates the effects of climate change off Greenland
· GEOMAR
Der Sauerstoffgehalt in allen Gewässern auf unserer Erde nimmt rapide und dramatisch ab.
Loss of oxygen in bodies of water identified as new tipping point
· GEOMAR
FS Polarstern in der inneren Pine Island-Bucht
The dawn of the Antarctic ice sheets

For the first time, the recovery of unique geological samples provides surprising insights into...

· AWI
Die Temperaturmessung in der Ausstromöffnung des Schwarzen Rauchers zeigte, dass die Fluide mehr als 300 Grad Celsius heiß sind. Neben diesem aktiven Raucher wurden zahlreiche unterschiedlich ausgeprägte Quellaustritte im neu entdeckten Jøtul-Hydrothermalfeld gefunden.
Investigating newly discovered hydrothermal vents at depths of 3,000 meters off Svalbard
· MARUM
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Usage

Handelsübliche Angelköder, wie sie für die Studie untersucht wurden. // (c) Thünen-Institut/Marko Freese
Harmful substances in soft plastic lures: Risks for anglers and the environment
· THÜNEN
Die Hochseefischerei mit Grundschleppnetzen beeinflusst den Ozean enorm.
Trawls and Climate change

Bottom trawls promote global warming and affect marine ecosystems...

· HEREON
Durch ein großes Unterwasserfenster können die Forschenden wie in einem Aquarium in den Kanal schauen
Optimal sea conditions in Braunschweig

Unique European test facility to support offshore wind research...

· FZK
Für das GEOMAR vor Ort (von links): Dr. Toste Tanhua, Sigrid Keiser, Professor Dr. Arne Körtzinger, Direktorin Professorin Dr. Katja Matthes, Dr. Björn Fiedler, Tobias Hahn. Nicht im Bild: Dr. David Keller, Dr. Ulrike Heine
Broad commitment to sustainable development and cooperation
· GEOMAR
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Pollution

Die Expedition des Forschungsschiffs SONNE zur Untersuchung "neuer" Schadstoffe im Indischen Ozean startet am 16. Juli 2024 in Singapur.
Microplastics, estrogens & Co: Ship expedition for the first time investigates “new” pollutants in the Indian Ocean
· IOW
Handelsübliche Angelköder, wie sie für die Studie untersucht wurden. // (c) Thünen-Institut/Marko Freese
Harmful substances in soft plastic lures: Risks for anglers and the environment
· THÜNEN
Etwa 1,6 Millionen Tonnen Altmunition belasten Nord- und Ostsee. Nun wird mit der ersten Pilotbergung in der Lübecker Bucht begonnen.
UXO clearance – It’s time to start!
· GEOMAR
Fakten für Brüssel: Die Heroen-Präsentationen zeigten Auswirkungen auf den Digital Twin of the Ocean (DTO)
Digital Twin of the ocean

Dr Joanna Staneva and Kelli Johnson presented in Brussels about the European Digital Twin...

· HEREON
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Management

Für das GEOMAR vor Ort (von links): Dr. Toste Tanhua, Sigrid Keiser, Professor Dr. Arne Körtzinger, Direktorin Professorin Dr. Katja Matthes, Dr. Björn Fiedler, Tobias Hahn. Nicht im Bild: Dr. David Keller, Dr. Ulrike Heine
Broad commitment to sustainable development and cooperation
· GEOMAR
Die Buchten der schleswig-holsteinischen Ostseeküste sind in keinem guten ökologischen Zustand. In dem Projekt INSYST soll in Zukunft Künstliche Intelligenz dabei helfen, die Überwachung des Zustandes der Eckernförder Bucht zu verbessern und die Daten auch der interessierten Öffentlichkeit zugänglich zu machen.
Artificial Intelligence for Improved Baltic Sea Protection
· GEOMAR
Eine Welle schlägt mit Wucht gegen einen Wellenbrecher
Third DAM research mission launched

Under the short title mareXtreme, around 150 scientists are researching strategies for dealing with extreme marine events and natural hazards - thus addressing highly topical, socially relevant research issues.

· DAM
Climate and the coast

New GERICS study finds that scientific articles on adapting to climate change lack focus...

· HEREON
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Research Structure

Abtauchen für die Wissenschaft: Die Tauchgemeinschaft ist im Fokus eines neuen Forschungsprojektes, das mithilfe von Taucher:innen kontinuierlich Temperaturdaten im Mittelmeer erfassen und analysieren möchte.
Researching Heat Waves in the Mediterranean with the Diving Community
· MARUM
Die Expedition des Forschungsschiffs SONNE zur Untersuchung "neuer" Schadstoffe im Indischen Ozean startet am 16. Juli 2024 in Singapur.
Microplastics, estrogens & Co: Ship expedition for the first time investigates “new” pollutants in the Indian Ocean
· IOW
Overview of the suggested pathway through which eutrophication promotes V. vulnificus proliferation.
Control of Vibrio vulnificus proliferation in the Baltic Sea through eutrophication and algal bloom management
· IOW
Boris Herrmann received the German Ocean Award 2024 today at GEOMAR.
Boris Herrmann receives the German Ocean Award 2024
· GEOMAR
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Details on research topics and focal points as well as contact persons of the DAM member institutions can be found in our member overview.

Newsletter

Always up to date with the DAM newsletter. (German only)

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The federal government and the governments of the five northern German states support the current development and sponsor the DAM.