Cluster of Excellence The Future Ocean 2nd Annual Report - 2007 Produced and printed by: Cluster of Excellence "The Future Ocean" Christian-Albrechts-Universität zu Kiel Christian-Albrechts-Platz 4 24118 Kiel GERMANY Phone: +49 - (0)431 880-3030 Fax: +49 - (0)431 880-2539 E-Mail: [email protected] Web: www.ozean-der-zukunft.de Cluster of Excellence The Future Ocean 2nd Annual Report 2007 Content 00 Preface 1 10 Introduction to the Cluster of Excellence 2 a0 Overview and Goals 2 b0 Structural Concept and Strategies 2 c0 Scientific Concept and Strategy 4 d0 Organization 5 e0 Junior Research Groups 7 f0 Funding Pathways 8 20 Speaker's Report 10 30 Impact on University Activities 12 a0 Introduction 12 b0 Defining a Profile 12 c0 Management Improvements 13 d0 Innovation in Education 13 40 Central Services 15 a0 Introduction 15 b0 Office 15 c0 Budget Report 16 d0 Recruiting Junior Professors 17 e0 Public Outreach 18 f0 Integrated School of Ocean Sciences (ISOS) 22 g0 Transfer to Application 25 50 Research Themes and Platforms 27 a0 Research Theme A: The Ocean in the Greenhouse World 27 b0 Research Theme B: Marine Resources and Risks 31 c0 Research Platforms 36 60 Working Panels 39 a0 Family and Employment 39 b0 Quality Management 40 c0 Data Management 41 Appendix 42 A0 Research Theme A: Greenhouse Oceans 42 Research Topic A1: Ocean Acidification 42 Research Topic A2: Seafloor Warming 47 Research Topic A3: Oceanic CO2 Uptake 49 Research Topic A4: Ocean Circulation and the Hydrological Cycle 52 Research Topic A5: CO2 Sequestration 54 Research Topic A6: Sea Surface Chemistry 55 Research Topic A7: Valuing the Ocean 58 B0 Research Themes B: Resources and Risks 60 Research Topic B1: Living Resources and Overfishing 60 Research Topic B2: Marine Medicine: Interactions between Complex Barriers and Microbiota in the Ocean 62 Research Topic B3: Seafloor Resources 66 Research Topic B4: Submarine Hazards 69 Research Topic B5: Sea-Level Rise and Coasts at Risk 73 Research Topic B6: Law of the Sea and Marine Resources 75 C0 Research Platforms 79 Research Platform P1: Numerical Simulation and Data Management 79 Research Platform P2: Isotope and Tracer Analysis 81 Research Platform P3: Molecular Technology 89 Research Platform P4: Ocean Observatories 92 D0 Cluster Proposals in 2006 96 E0 Cluster Proposals in 2007 109 F0 References 129 G0 Other Activities 146 10 Introduction to the Cluster of Excellence00 Preface 00 Preface 2007 was the first complete year for the Cluster of Excellence “The Future Ocean” after the successful launch in November 2006. In 2007 the activities focused on the achievement of the scientific and structural goals. New structures were established, and most of the fourteen scientific working groups and the cluster office started their work. To improve research of the Cluster of Excellence, the research platforms were initially supported through a competitive proposal process for interdisciplinary projects. Twenty-nine projects were selected and funded for a maximum of two years. The first results of these projects are documented in the appendix of this report. To support marine science in Kiel the Cluster of Excellence encourages researchers to apply for initial “seed money” as a nucleus to start research projects subsequently finded by third parties. This funding pathway paved ground to submit a proposal for the Collaborative Research Centre (SFB) 754 “Climate- Biogeochemistry Interactions in the Tropical Ocean” to the German Science Foundation (DFG). The proposal was successful and a new SFB will start working in in Kiel in Summer 2008. The administrative infrastructure of the Cluster of Excellence was established as well, and groups responsible for public outreach, financial administration, and Transfer to Application have been set up. Also in early 2007 the positions for the leaders of the Junior Research Groups were advertised. Most of the positions could be filled by Fall 2007. The first draft reports of these groups presenting their exciting new research topics are documented in this report. The Integrated School of Ocean Sciences (ISOS) began to offer structured training courses for graduates as a “virtual” graduate school. The successful launch and the establishment of the main structures of the Cluster of Excellence within this short time frame was only possible through the remarkable joint initiative of the university and the participating institutions. Most of the truly innovative ideas could be brought to life by the extremely motivated proponents and members of the Cluster of Excellence, promoting marine sciences and related aspects not only to strictly marine disciplines, but also to economics, law or medicine. On top of that, our comrades from the Muthesius Academy of Fine Arts and Design visualized our ambitious project in an uniquely attractive way to the public through an extraordinary exhibition. We are hence looking forward to the next years of productive joint work with the Cluster of Excellence. We hope you will enjoy reading our Annual Report 2007. Klaus Wallmann Martin Visbeck (Speaker 2006-Nov 2007) (Speaker since Nov 2007) Annual Report 2007 - Cluster of Excellence "The Future Ocean" - 1 10 Introduction to the Cluster of Excellence 10 Introduction to the Cluster of 2) Provide the scientific basis to develop, Excellence implement and assess sound global and regional ocean management options; a0 Overview and Goals 3) Build our capacity to reliably predict the risks associated with ocean change and natural The ocean hosts our planet’s largest ecosystem, hazards; helps regulate the composition of the atmosphere 4) Explore new marine resources and develop and global climate, and provides mankind with strategies for their sustainable use. essential living and non-living resources. Coastal regions are home to the majority of the world’s This is achieved by a multidisciplinary research population and the open seas are key to global strategy on the pathways, impacts and feedbacks trade and security and a source of major natural of ocean change and their interaction with society hazards. In short, the global ocean is vital for in terms of ocean resources, services and risks. human welfare now and in the future. But mankind is altering the oceans in both direct and indirect b0 Structural Concept and Strategies ways and on a global scale. The alteration started Rather than forming a separate research unit, the with fishing which has already drastically changed Cluster of Excellence is fully integrated into the the global marine ecosystem. Human impact now university and functions as a virtual institute to extends from regional changes, such as alter- strengthen multidisciplinary cooperation between ation of coastal and deep sea habitats, to global several university faculties and research insti- scale impact on marine life, ocean circulation tutes of CAU and the participating institutions, the and carbon cycling through emission of CO2 and Leibniz Institute of Marine Sciences IFM-GEOMAR, other pollutants. The motivation for the Cluster the Institute for the World Economy (IfW), and of Excellence “Future Ocean” is the recognition of the Muthesius School of Fine Arts. It augments, mankind’s increasing dependency on the ocean focuses and enhances marine-oriented research in the context of our increasing power to alter and education in Schleswig-Holstein and provides it. These two factors imply a need to understand additional interfaces to the general public, stake- our environment in order to be able to predict holders, non-governmental and scientific organi- and manage. They also imply a need to educate, zations as well as marine-oriented industry. A in order to make the next generation aware of strategic instrument of the Cluster of Excellence the need for responsible and sustainable use of is the establishment of dedicated Junior Research the ocean and ensure it is prepared to adapt to Groups (JRGs) in key interdisciplinary research the changes that we have already set in motion. areas (A1 - B6 in Fig. 1-1). The Cluster of Excellence “Future Ocean” at the The JRGs augment the expertise provided by Christian-Albrechts-University in Kiel (CAU) has the well established research groups of the four major goals: proponents. The group leaders are endowed 1) Improve our understanding of ocean changes with tenure-track positions which will be trans- in response to human activities; ferred to permanent positions (W2/W3) based on a review of merit. The Cluster of Excellence 2 - Annual Report 2007 - Cluster of Excellence "The Future Ocean" 10 Introduction to the Cluster of Excellence Greenhouse Resources Ocean and Risks A1: B1: Ocean Acidification Fisheries and Overfishing A2: Seafloor Warming B2: Marine Medicine A3: B3: Oceanic CO2-Uptake Seafloor Resources A4: Ocean Circulation Integrated B4: School of Submarine A5: Ocean Sciences Hazards CO2 Sequestration Public Outreach B5: A6: Sea Level Rise and Sea Surface Transfer to Coasts at Risk Chemistry Application A7: B6: Valuing the Ocean Law of the Sea Research Platforms P1: P2: P3: P4: Numerical Tracer Molecular Ocean Simulation Analysis Technology Observatories Figure 1-1. Structure of the Cluster of Excellence "Future Ocean" consisting of the research themes Greenhouse Ocean (A, green) and Resources and Risks (B, red), central services (white) and the infrastructure platforms (P, dark blue). provides the JRGs with resources and personnel candidates from all disciplines represented in as well as scientific support through the estab- the Cluster and of curricula