25 years of marine research in Oldenburg

Interdisciplinary research into the ecosystems in coastal and shelf seas: With this goal in mind, the university founded the Institute of Chemistry and Biology of the Marine Environment (ICBM) in 1987. Its scientists have long been travelling the world's oceans. The Institute is now celebrating its 25th anniversary.

Oldenburg Cultural Centre PFL: Over 200 guests from science and politics came to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the research institute. Among the guests of honour: Lower Saxony's Science Minister Prof. Dr Johanna Wanka and Prof. Dr Karin Lochte, Director of the Alfred Wegener Institute for Polar and Marine Research in the Helmholtz Association (AWI), who was awarded an honorary doctorate from School V - School of Mathematics and Science at the ceremony.

"As the only university institute for marine research in Lower Saxony, the ICBM enjoys an excellent reputation - far beyond the state's borders," explained the Minister of Science to the anniversary guests, adding that the University of Oldenburg had shown extraordinary foresight in founding the interdisciplinary marine research institute. University President Prof. Dr Babette Simon added: "Marine research is a central research focus of the University of Oldenburg with national and international appeal. By combining research and teaching, the university plays a key role in generating and qualifying young talent."

16 research groups with 100 scientists

The ICBM's research activities are broadly diversified. They include basic mathematical and scientific research as well as applied environmental research in marine ecosystems and climate systems. The development of marine technologies is also part of the range of tasks. A total of 16 research groups with around 100 scientists are currently working at the ICBM.
"Over the past 25 years, we have succeeded in giving the ICBM a profile that is unique in Germany thanks to its interdisciplinary approach," emphasised ICBM Director Prof. Dr Jürgen Rullkötter. Numerous co-operations and research projects, which were only possible thanks to the extraordinary commitment of the staff, were impressive proof of this.

One of the successes of the Institute's recent history is the establishment of a Collaborative Research Centre (SFB). In 2009, the German Research Foundation (DFG) approved the CRC "Ecology, Physiology and Molecular Biology of the Roseobacter Group: Towards a Systems Biological Understanding of a Globally Important Group of Marine Bacteria". Since 2008, the ICBM has been closely linked to the Max Planck Institute for Marine Microbiology in Bremen through the Max Planck Research Groups "Marine Geochemistry" and "Marine Isotope Geochemistry". There are also particularly close co-operations with the Helmholtz-Zentrum Geesthacht, the AWI in Bremerhaven and with Senckenberg am Meer in Wilhelmshaven.

Permanent measuring stationas a landmark

In the 25-year history of the ICBM, the integration of the TERRAMARE research centre in Wilhelmshaven is also one of the outstanding events. Since its foundation in 1990, TERRAMARE had done pioneering work in bringing together the marine research institutions of Lower Saxony and coordinating joint research projects. In addition to continuing this work, the ICBM has significantly strengthened Wilhelmshaven as a research centre since its integration in 2008. Today, six working groups are based there. Among other things, they conduct research into the effects of sea level, environmental and climate change on the coasts and their ecosystems as well as biodiversity and the food web structure of aquatic systems. According to Rullkötter, the Wilhelmshaven site will continue to play a major role for the ICBM in the future. For example, a centre for marine technology is planned.

The ICBM's best-known research instrument is the yellow measuring pile southwest of Spiekeroog. It is used to collect data permanently and in all weather conditions. The permanent measuring station was established in 2002 after the DFG set up the "BioGeoChemistry of the Wadden Sea" research group. When Oldenburg was named Germany's "City of Science" in 2009, the detailed replica of the measuring pile quickly became a trademark.
And this is what the future holds: German marine research will receive a new deep-sea research vessel - and Oldenburg scientists will also be using it. The ICBM is supporting the current construction of the SONNE and will be the research vessel's home institute. It will set sail for the first time in 2015, with the main areas of operation being the Indian and Pacific Oceans. Several cruise applications from ICBM scientists have already been approved.

Honorary doctorate for Prof. Dr Karin Lochte

As part of the anniversary celebrations, Prof. Dr Karin Lochte, Director of the Alfred Wegener Institute for Polar and Marine Research in the Helmholtz Association (AWI), was awarded an honorary doctorate from School V - School of Mathematics and Science. Lochte was honoured for her outstanding scientific achievements. She investigated the role of bacteria in sediments and the limitation of nutrients for the growth of diatoms in the Southern Ocean and in the nutrient-poor subtropical North Atlantic. She also researched the reaction of deep-sea bottom-dwelling organisms to sedimentation events. In Karin Lochte, the School is honouring not only an outstanding scientist, but also "a tireless campaigner for the further development and quality improvement of marine sciences", according to the citation.

Lochte has been Director of the AWI since 2007. She studied biology, chemistry and philosophy at the University of Hanover, where she passed her first State Examination for Higher Education. In 1979, she graduated from the University College of North Wales in Bangor (UK) with a Master of Science degree in marine biology. After completing her doctorate in 1984, Lochte returned to Germany and worked as a postdoctoral researcher at what was then the Institute of Oceanography at Kiel University (now GEOMAR). In 1990 she moved to the AWI as a research assistant. This was followed by her habilitation at the University of Bremen in 1994. One year later, the scientist accepted the professorship for Biological Oceanography at the University of Rostock. At the same time, she headed the section of the same name at the Institute for Baltic Sea Research Warnemünde. Before Lochte returned to the AWI as Director, she spent seven years as a university lecturer and head of a research unit at the then Leibniz Institute of Marine Sciences at Kiel University (now also GEOMAR).

The biologist, who has taken part in 16 major expeditions to date, is a member of numerous national and international committees. She was a member of the German Council of Science and Humanities from 2004 to 2010. Among other things, Lochte is Chair of the Scientific Commission of Lower Saxony (WKN), a trustee of the Federal Institute for Geosciences and Natural Resources and Chair of the German Marine Research Consortium (KDM). She was recently elected Vice President of the Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research (SCAR). This international scientific organisation initiates, promotes and coordinates research projects in the Antarctic and advises political decision-makers.