We are proud to announce that researchers from the Institute of Oceanology of the Polish Academy of Sciences have been included in the latest Research.com 2024 ranking of the best scientists.
We extend our sincere congratulations to all of them.
Scientists from the Department of Paleoceanography at the Institute of Oceanology Polish Academy of Sciences have just published a groundbreaking discovery in Scientific Reports!
The team demonstrated that the ancient Storegga tsunami, triggered by a massive submarine landslide off the coast of Norway, reached all the way to the Arctic—deep into the Barents Sea. Marine sediments revealed clear traces of this catastrophic event from thousands of years ago.
What did we discover?
- A thick layer of sandy mud containing marine microfossils and land plant remains
- Evidence of powerful bottom currents generated by the megawave
- A new perspective on the geological history of the Arctic
The full article: Devendra et al. (2025), Scientific Reports
We are pleased to announce the release of the second issue of the Detect2Protect newsletter. In this edition, you will find:
- An overview of the individual Work Packages (WPs)
- A description of the methods being used
- Information on dissemination activities and stakeholder engagement
We encourage you to read it and share the newsletter with anyone who may be interested!
Sopot, 18 June 2025 — The Institute of Oceanology of the Polish Academy of Sciences (IO PAN) is embarking on its 39th annual ARctic EXpedition (AREX) to the Nordic Seas, the Fram Strait, and the fjords of western Spitsbergen. The AREX 2025 cruise continues a long-term research program initiated in 1987, focused on monitoring changes in the physical and biological environment of the European Arctic.
During the expedition, IO PAN scientists will carry out oceanographic, physical, atmospheric, optical, acoustic, biogeochemical, and biological measurements along the research vessel's route. These observations are conducted annually along a consistent grid covering over 300 research stations. This year’s route, beginning in Gdańsk, proceeds through the Baltic Sea, Danish Straits, Longyearbyen, the Norwegian Sea, the Barents Sea, Fram Strait, Hornsund, Kongsfjorden, Isfjorden, and Magdalenefjorden, before returning to Gdańsk.
The AREX expedition plays a crucial role in investigating the northward transport of warm Atlantic waters, the dynamics of the West Spitsbergen Current, and changes in thermohaline circulation. Data collected during the cruise contribute to numerous national and international research initiatives, including HiAOOS, SeaQuester, Euro-Argo ONE, ArgoPolska, as well as ACCESS, CLIMB, ADAMANT, and others.
IO PAN’s long-term Arctic monitoring enhances scientific understanding of climate change impacts and supports the development of models describing interactions between the ocean, atmosphere, and biosphere.
The Institute of Oceanology of the Polish Academy of Sciences is one of the leading marine research centers in Central and Eastern Europe. AREX is among its flagship scientific programs.
On June 13, 2025, the Biodiversity Picnic took place at the Żuławy Historical Park in Nowy Dwór Gdański, organized by Klub Nowodworski.
The Institute of Oceanology of the Polish Academy of Sciences (IOPAN) ran a field laboratory and conducted research on the Tuga River — from sample collection, through microscopic observations, to chemical and biological analysis of the water. Together with scientists from IO PAN, Gdańsk University of Technology, University of Gdańsk, and University of Łódź, participants had the opportunity to observe river organisms live. The event also featured educational stands and workshops led by experts from institutions such as Tricity Landscape Park, Vistula Spit Landscape Park, WWF, and others.
The goal of the event was to highlight the ecological value of the Tuga River — one of the key watercourses in the Żuławy region, feeding into the Gulf of Gdańsk and the Vistula Lagoon — as a healthy and biodiverse ecosystem. The initiative aimed to provide environmental education to the local community, promote ecological awareness, and inspire pro-environmental attitudes, especially among children and young people.
Thank you to everyone who participated and supported our initiative! Together, we are building ecological awareness and protecting the waters of the Żuławy region!
We invite you to participate in the 40th International Polar Symposium: “The Arctic and Antarctic at a Critical Point of Change”.
The symposium will take place on 4–7 November 2025 at the Museum of Polar Research in Puławy, Poland.
