Arctic ice algae heavily contaminated with microplastics
Alfred Wegener Institute (AWI)
Published: 21 April 2023
Arctic algae Melosira arctica contains 10× more microplastics than surrounding seawater and transports them rapidly to the deep sea, threatening ecosystems and food webs. AWI researchers urge global action to cut plastic production.
Keywords: Arctic deep sea, food web, Alfred Wegener Institute, Polarstern expedition, plastic pollution, global plastics agreement
Infrastructure for atmospheric research launched
Alfred Wegener Institute (AWI)
Published: 26 April 2023
ACTRIS has been officially established as a European Research Infrastructure Consortium (ERIC), enhancing access to atmospheric data and tools across 17 countries. Germany's contribution is led by TROPOS and includes AWI systems in Svalbard.
Keywords: atmospheric research, TROPOS, AWI, Svalbard, European infrastructure
New Start-up develops aquafarms for macroalgae
Alfred Wegener Institute (AWI)
Published: 27 April 2023
MACROCARBON, a spin-off from AWI and Carbonwave, is developing open-ocean farms to grow Sargassum algae, aiming to capture CO₂ and produce bio-based raw materials for industry. The startup plans to scale and help decarbonize the chemical sector.
Keywords: MACROCARBON, Sargassum, CO₂ capture, AWI, algae farming, bioeconomy, plastic alternatives
