Our previous book recommendations were the nonfiction books Blue Machine – How the Ocean Shapes our World by Helen Czerski and Below the Edge of Darkness by Edith Widder as well as the thriller The Swarm by Frank Schätzing. This time, we are stepping away from the ocean. Our next book recommendation is “Invisible Women: Exposing Data Bias in a World Designed by Men” by Caroline Criado ...[Read More]
Book Review: The Swarm by Frank Schätzing
So far, our reading adventures have kept us close to reality with Blue Machine by Helen Czerski and Below the Edge of Darkness by Edith Widder. Now, we are turning to a work of fiction. The author did plenty of research and spoke with scientists, who even appear as characters in the book, resulting in the science-fiction eco-thriller The Swarm. For centuries, humans have treated the ocean as a res ...[Read More]
Join the EGU Ocean Sciences blog team 🌊
The EGU Ocean Sciences division blog is looking for new volunteer editors. So far, the team consists of two early career scientists, Jacqueline and Maurie — both working in ocean biogeochemistry — and we would love to grow. As an editor, you will keep an eye out for interesting new articles and datasets to write about, write short blog posts about ocean related news, and approach other scientists ...[Read More]
Book Review: Below the Edge of Darkness by Edith Widder
Welcome to our new blog series, where we explore the fascinating world of oceanography through the lens of literature. Each post will feature book recommendations that involve the wonders of the ocean, from the imaginative realms of maritime science fiction to the educational pages of science nonfiction. Like Captain Ahab chasing Moby Dick, we’ll hunt down the best ocean literature for you. ...[Read More]
Jens Terhaar Receives the Division Outstanding Early Career Scientist Award – About His Career and Work
Jens Terhaar received the 2025 Division Outstanding Early Career Scientist Award for his research on the ocean carbon cycle and its effects on climate. We spoke with him about his career path and the work that led to this award. Since completing his PhD in 2019, Jens has made a name for himself with many publications and outreach efforts. His work is about the ocean carbon sink, ocean biogeochemic ...[Read More]
Tatiana Ilyina Receives the Fridtjof Nansen Medal – About Her Career and Work
Tatiana Ilyina received the Fridtjof Nansen Medal from the European Geosciences Union (EGU) for her outstanding research in oceanography. We spoke with her about her career path and the work that led to this award. Here’s what you should know about her. Tatiana Ilyina studied Meteorology/Oceanography during her PhD at the University of Hamburg, continued as a postdoc at the University of Haw ...[Read More]
From Academic Research to Start-Up: A Marine Biologist’s Algae Farming Vision
We chatted with a marine biologist about her exciting journey from academia to becoming an entrepreneur. Discover how her algae farm start-up came to life, learn about the concept, achievements, and challenges she faced, future plans, and finally her advice as well as her take on the importance of bridging the two worlds of academia and industry. Dr. Mar Fernández-Méndez is a marine biologist ded ...[Read More]
Book Review: Blue Machine by Helen Czerski
The engine that is Earth’s ocean takes sunlight and converts it into giant underwater currents and waterfalls, hauling around the ingredients for life: nutrients, oxygen and trace metals like potassium and iron, shaping our coasts and transporting heat. In her book Blue Machine – How the Ocean Shapes Our World, physicist Helen Czerski takes readers on an enlightening journey through t ...[Read More]
Sailing for Science: How Data from Sailing Races Advances Ocean Research
The Vendée Globe began on November 10th, with 44 participants embarking on the world’s toughest sailing race. This non-stop, single-handed round-the-world yacht race challenges skippers to circumnavigate the Southern Ocean. The race starts in France, traverses the North Atlantic, and heads directly into the Southern Ocean. Despite taking place during the austral summer, the conditions remain ...[Read More]
The Alarming Decline in Ocean CO2 Observations
„observations not taken today are lost forever.“ (Wunsch et al., 2013) The Critical Need for CO2 Measurements Imagine the ocean as a giant lung, breathing in carbon dioxide (CO2) and helping to keep our planet cool. It absorbs about 25% of the CO2 emissions from human activities, playing a crucial role in mitigating the pace of climate change. But what happens when we lose sight of this process? B ...[Read More]