Advances of the Ocean Science & Polar Research - selected Case Studies 1200-AOPR-OG

Interdisciplinary lecture (with elements of discussion and workshop) for the general public, providing essential knowledge about the crucial environmental topics in the XXI century, namely ocean science and polar regions characteristics. The lecture is based on my own research, the contributions of experts in the field, an acknowledgement of Polish achievements in polar regions, and a comprehensive literature overview. It is dedicated to the students who have already participated in the introductory courses (“Chemia morza i regionów polarnych”, “Marine Microplastics”, “Introduction to the Ocean Science and Polar Research”) and are familiar with basic oceanology; however, it is not required to finish one of the lectures listed above. A general introduction will be provided at the beginning of each topic to make it understandable for all participants with diverse backgrounds. This lecture does not aim to cover the “abc” of ocean research but gives a deep insight into the more specific topics. It also presents the newest developments in the field, discussing future trends. Each module is composed of a short introduction to the topic, an up-to-data literature overview and state-of-art presentation, and a comprehensive analysis of selected case studies illustrating the tackled problem. They are briefly (but not limited to) described below.
Ten thematic sessions (each of 3 h) will include:
1. Advanced physical and chemical Analysis for Marine Biology
(main methods, examples from own research on sediments, polar sharks, and bivalves, literature overview with the newest examples of the application of spectroscopy and XRD in ocean studies)
2. Modern Ocean Physics - studies of the Sea Microstructure
(general overview of the thermohaline circulation, CTD measurements, and modern methods used in the “wet oceanography”; case study of the “hot topic” such as the microstructure analysis and resolving the problem of the limited spatial resolution; gliders data collection; correlation between the acoustic measurements and biota behaviour)
3. Deep Sea - still deeply unknown
(basics about the hydrothermal vents and resources, seabed characteristics, case study of the most unexpected findings on the seabed)
4. Emmerging water contaminamts and Plastisphere
(problem of POPs, microplastic, nanomaterials, antibiotic-resistant bacteria, and the ways in which oceans adapt to the anthropogenic pressure; case study from own research and the literature)
5. Sea of Materials
(newest developments in material science implemented in the maritime industry; composited inspired by nature; case studies of biomimetism; modern constructions at sea, MSP)
6. Arctic unprotected
(changing Arctic, ice monitoring, resources, measurements with ARGO system, own experience from the last expeditions)
7. Antarctic – no longer remote and inaccessible
(sociology of the increasing tourist flux; sociology of the penguins' colonies; continent’s current state and future, changes in the scientific stations organization)
8. Cryogenic adaptations
(selected adaptations to the extreme temperatures from the medical, molecular biology, and ecological perspective; hypothermia studies; model species such as Chionodraco hamatus)
9. “Endurance” fund! – sea archaeology and modern ocean expeditions
(technical issues, white points on the maps, challenges, sea wrecks and treasures, years of changes in polar expeditions from Amundsen till M. Bound)
10. Ocean literacy & changing Human Perspective
(cognitive insight into the mutual relationship “Homo sapiens – sea”; ocean literacy principles and practical exercises; a case study from Turku and Aland Islands).
Practical issues: The course will be conducted mainly in person/classroom. However, it is possible to make it online if necessary (for instance, for the 4EU students not in Warsaw or during my field measurements), but always as simultaneous teaching; thus, it is marked as “hybrid”; additional materials will be provided on KAMPUS to extend the course database for the interested participants; for interested students there is a possibility to apply for a practical field training supervised by acknowledged experts from Polish scientific institutions (IO PAN, MIR, Marine Institute, etc).