‘Missing Ice Problem’ Finally Solved
Alfred Wegener Institute (AWI)
Published: 23 February 2021
New calculations resolve the “missing ice problem” by aligning glacier mass and sea-level drop 20,000 years ago. This improves models of Earth’s climate history and challenges older isotope-based estimates.
Keywords: glaciers, sea level, isotope method, ice sheet
Microplastics in the Elbe River
Alfred Wegener Institute (AWI)
Published: 10 March 2021
Researchers found 200–2100 microplastic particles/m³ in Elbe water. Most were under 100 µm. High measurement uncertainty (25–200%) was due to uneven distribution. Study sets new standard using BIPM guidelines.
Keywords: microplastics, Elbe, BIPM, uncertainty, water sampling
Droughts in Germany could become more extreme
Alfred Wegener Institute (AWI)
Published: 19 March 2021
Future droughts in Germany could surpass 2018 levels. AWI study shows megadroughts arise from multiple factors: high temps, low solar radiation, and North Atlantic circulation changes—similar to expected future conditions.
Keywords: megadrought, Germany, AWI, North Atlantic, solar radiation, atmospheric pressure
