Research icebreaker Polarstern departs for the Antarctic Weddell Sea
Alfred Wegener Institute (AWI)
Published: 6 February 2026
RV Polarstern departs for the Weddell Sea to investigate the sharp decline in Antarctic sea ice and its ecosystem impacts, collecting data from seabed to atmosphere in the international SWOS expedition.
Keywords: Antarctica, Weddell Sea, sea ice, Polarstern, Southern Ocean, SWOS expedition, polar research, climate change
UNESCO report: Gap in ocean carbon research may impact global climate predictions
National Oceanography Centre
Published: 23 February 2026
A 72-author UNESCO report with NOC contributions reveals 10-20%% divergence in ocean CO2 absorption estimates, proposing a coordinated global ocean carbon observing system to strengthen climate planning.
Keywords: ocean carbon, CO2 absorption, climate predictions, ocean observing, carbon cycle, UNESCO, IOC, ocean chemistry
Coastal Kelvin Waves and Marine Heatwaves in the Tropical Atlantic
GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel
Published: 17 February 2026
GEOMAR-led METEOR expedition off west Africa investigates the Benguela upwelling system and recurring marine heat waves called Benguela Ninos, deploying deep-water instruments to measure ocean conditions to 1,200m.
Keywords: Benguela upwelling, marine heat waves, Kelvin waves, tropical Atlantic, METEOR expedition, ocean currents, Africa
