Tracking the footprint of an extreme harmful algal bloom event: integrative assessment from open ocean to coastal area approach and its connections to the Atlantic Ocean – Data Analysis with Focus on Hydrography and Bio-Optics

• Applicant: Dr. Jochen Wollschläger
• Subject Area: Oceanography
• Term: since 2026
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 564896168

With this proposal, the ICBM applies for funding of an 18 months postdoc position in order to support its work on RV METEOR in the South Chilean fjords. This proposal is part of a research cruise that has already been positively evaluated and accepted by the GPF for RV SONNE and which has been reassigned to RV METEOR in 2023. The majority of the funding applied for will be used for hiring an experienced researcher (e.g. postdoc) in order to support the activities of the ICBM on the planned research cruise in terms or preparation, cruise work, and -most important- subsequent data analysis and publication. Specifically, the postdoc would support the cruise preparations by assisting in preparing and packing the scientific equipment as well as in all aspects of logistics and custom work. Furthermore, the person will help in calibrating instruments, if necessary. During the cruise, the postdoc will participate in selected aspects of the work carried out by the ICBM-team (station work, underway measurements, sampling). After the cruise, the postdoc will be responsible for the data analysis in the home institution. Scientific evaluation of the data and contribution to publications will focus on: (i) Characterizing the abiotic conditions (stratification, light availability, nitrate concentrations) that influence the germination, viability, and ultimate fate of cysts and germinated HAB cells in high latitude coastal systems and fjords. (ii) Assessment of bio-optical properties in the coastal ocean and fjord systems, and identification of dominating optically active substances towards a regional applicable bio-optical parameterization of underwater light attenuation. (iii) Analysis of the influence of meltwater and riverine discharges on the bio-optical diversity and variability along the Patagonian coast. (iv) Determine the pathways of discharges and surface currents potentially transporting phytoplankton species by drifter experiments.

• DFG Programme: Infrastructure Priority Programmes
• Subproject of: SPP 2520: Infrastructure area - Research Vessels
• Co-Investigator: Dr. Thomas Badewien