The AtlantECO podcast is a science popularisation show, revolving around conversations between the host and a guest to discuss aspects of AtlantECO, a marine science project which focuses on the Atlantic Ocean.
Each episode lasts less than 30 minutes and is released every two weeks on Wednesdays.
The podcasts is organised around three types of episodes:
The science of AtlantECO: where concepts of the project, specific themes, research topics, results, etc will be covered.
The Atlantic ocean: where we will discuss the reality and regions of the Atlantic ocean, with people involved in oceanic expeditions, their experience in the field, and the views of people who depend on or are engaged for the ocean
Around the science: for broader topics covering aspects that happen around the AtlantECO adventure, and marine sciences in general
AtlantECO is funded under the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 862923. The content of the podcast reflects only the participants’ view and the European Union cannot be held responsible for any use that may be made of the information contained therein.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.
55.Ocean biogeographies in the context of climate change
The Vital Role of Plankton in Ocean Biogeochemistry
So, what exactly does Meike’s team study? Their focus is on the global cycling of important elements in the Earth system. Specifically, they models marine ecosystems—particularly plankton ecosystems—working to understand where different plankton species live, what they do, and how they contribute to the cycling of nutrients like nitrogen and carbon.
Why is this so important? Meike explains that plankton are the "plants of the ocean." They support half of Earth's primary production and produce a great part of the oxygen being breathed. However, unlike terrestrial ecosystems, plankton are microscopic and live in a vast, inaccessible environment. This makes studying them incredibly challenging, but also crucial for understanding the ocean’s role in regulating the planet’s climate.
Bringing Data Together: What AtlantECO Is Achieving
In AtlantECO, Meike’s team is working to create a comprehensive database of plankton diversity and abundance patterns by bringing together millions of observations from various sources—images, DNA sequencing, and direct observations with organisms caught in nets and seen under microscopes. This database aims to identify which plankton species thrive in different ocean environments and how they contribute to the global cycling of carbon and nutrients.
These findings not only deepen our understanding of plankton’s role but also offer insights into the broader ecological functions they support.
The Future of Plankton Research: What's Next for AtlantECO?
As AtlantECO enters its final months, Meike’s team is focused on integrating the vast data they've collected with new observations, particularly those from cutting-edge genetic techniques that can identify plankton species based on their DNA. This integration will help ensure that new data aligns with existing knowledge, creating a more complete picture of the ocean’s ecosystems.
The team also plans to continue analysing the large dataset they've already compiled to uncover more about the ecology, physiology, and functions of plankton. Meike is excited about the potential for new discoveries and looks forward to collaborating on projects that will help reveal the hidden details of these vital systems.
Making the Research Accessible: From Policy to Public Outreach
The ultimate goal of this research is to make it accessible to a wide range of stakeholders. Meike’s team is working to package their findings in a way that is useful to policymakers, ecosystem managers, and conservationists for example. By identifying hotspots of plankton diversity and ecosystem function, their work can inform conservation efforts and help guide policies that protect the health of the ocean.
The Responsibility of Scientists in the Face of Climate Change
As the conversation draws to a close, Meike reflects on the responsibility scientists have in the context of climate change. While she feels passionate about the ocean and its role in regulating the climate, she emphasizes the importance of remaining objective.
More on AtlantECO: www.atlanteco.eu (http://www.atlanteco.eu/)
The AtlantECO project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 862923. This output reflects only the author’s view and the European Union cannot be held responsible for any use that may be made of the information contained therein.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.
28 Mar 2025
54. Modelling the ocean biogeochemistry
Balancing the Ocean’s Biogeochemistry: Understanding the Science Behind the Ocean’s Role in Climate Change with Marcello Vichi
In this episode, we meet Marcello Vichi, a biogeochemist working on understanding the ocean’s role in climate regulation. Marcello explains the science behind biogeochemical processes in the ocean and why such complex systems can be difficult to model and predict. In a world where the ocean is a crucial part of our climate system, these insights are more important than ever.
Decoding the Complexity of Biogeochemistry
At the heart of Marcello’s research is biogeochemistry, which investigates how chemical elements such as nutrients are cycled through the ocean’s vast ecosystem, driven by a microscopic world of organisms. While it may seem simple on the surface, the ocean’s biogeochemistry is a highly complex system with many interdependencies—processes that are often influenced by unseen factors, like the turbulence of water movement.
The difficulty in biogeochemical modelling lies in the inability to track every single microscopic interaction. Instead, scientists rely on mathematical models that approximate how these systems work on a larger scale.
Applying Science to Predict Change in the Southern Benguela Current
Marcello works in the Southern Benguela current, a vital upwelling system that sustains one of the most productive fisheries in the world. Here, the ocean brings nutrients to the surface, feeding an ecosystem that humans rely on heavily for food and income. However, this system is complex, with unpredictable fluctuations—sometimes leading to harmful algal blooms or low-oxygen conditions that can devastate the marine food web.
With climate change and human activity intensifying the challenges to ocean systems like the Benguela, understanding these dynamics has become increasingly important. Through models and experimentation, Marcello’s team is working to better predict when these disturbances will occur and how they’ll affect the ecosystem. Their goal is to improve the ability to forecast these disruptions, allowing fisheries to adapt and minimize the impact.
The Role of Satellites and Models in Ocean Science
Marcello also highlights how the increasing availability of satellite data has revolutionized ocean science. Satellites provide high-frequency, continuous data that help scientists monitor large-scale oceanic changes. However, satellites have limitations—particularly when it comes to observing conditions near the coastline or capturing fine-scale details. This is where biogeochemical models come in. These models bridge the gap by incorporating satellite data and other measurements to make predictions about ocean behaviour in areas that satellites can’t reach. While the models are not without uncertainty, Marcello emphasizes how they can still provide crucial information about how the ocean is absorbing and cycling carbon—a topic of critical importance in the fight against climate change.
Looking Ahead: The Future of Biogeochemical Modelling
Looking forward, Marcello is hopeful about the future of biogeochemical modelling. The ultimate goal is to improve our ability to predict how ocean systems will respond to climate change, which will help us manage the ocean more effectively.
More on AtlantECO: www.atlanteco.eu (http://www.atlanteco.eu/)
The AtlantECO project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 862923. This output reflects only the author’s view and the European Union cannot be held responsible for any use that may be made of the information contained therein.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.
20 Dec 2024
53. Ecological networks
Ferenc Jordan, an expert in network analysis, explores how studying ecological networks can uncover valuable insights into marine ecosystems and inform sustainable management of ocean resources.
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