Between 15 and 22 October 2026, researchers from the Department of Marine Ecology and the Department of Marine Chemistry and Biochemistry at the Institute of Oceanology of the Polish Academy of Sciences (IO PAN) undertook a scientific visit* to the Institute for Marine Biological Resources and Biotechnology (CNR-IRBIM) in Messina, Sicily, Italy.
The visit aimed to review the results of previous collaborative activities – including a joint publication in the Journal of Hazardous Materials (2025) – and to plan future research initiatives. The IO PAN researchers explored the Italian institute’s laboratory facilities, including the advanced FT-IR LUMOS II system for automated microplastic analysis and identification. They also provided their Italian partners with sediment samples from polar regions for further comparative studies.
The visit also included field observations along the Sicilian coast and in lagoon environments (Lakes Ganzirri and Faro), as well as discussions on joint experiments investigating biofilm formation on the surface of microplastics (as part of a National Science Centre (NCN) grant led by Dr. Anna Pouch) and preparations for an international research proposal under the BIODIVERSA+ programme.
*The visit was made possible thanks to funding from a mobility project awarded by the International Cooperation Office of the Polish Academy of Sciences (PAS), under the bilateral agreement on scientific cooperation between the Polish Academy of Sciences (PAS) and the National Research Council of Italy (CNR) for 2025–2026.
On 16 October 2026, a meeting dedicated to the CliN-BluFeed project took place at the Institute of Oceanology of the Polish Academy of Sciences in Sopot. The event provided an opportunity to present the project's objectives, discuss ongoing research, and exchange knowledge and experience among participants.
The meeting programme included presentations on the ecology of copepods of the genus Calanus and their importance as a food source for fish, as well as the use of underwater cameras (UVP) to investigate the distribution of Calanus in the Norwegian Sea. The role of meteorology in forecasting potential food resources for fish was also discussed.
Presentations were delivered by Prof. Katarzyna Błachowiak-Samołyk, Assoc. Prof. Emilia Trudnowska, MSc Anna Jasina, and Dr Anna Piwoni-Piórewicz. The programme also included a discussion of the topics presented and opportunities for further collaboration.
The meeting provided a valuable opportunity to exchange knowledge and experience and to discuss the processes influencing the availability of food resources for fish, as well as methods for monitoring and forecasting these resources.
CliN-BluFeed is an international research project involving partners from Norway (led by APN), Poland, Germany, Portugal, and Cyprus. Its aim is to develop methods for monitoring and forecasting the abundance of copepod Calanus finmarchicus as a potential sustainable feed resource for aquaculture.
On 20 October 2026, the official inauguration of the 2026/2027 academic year of the International Environmental Doctoral School at the Centre for Polar Studies took place at spinPLACE in Katowice.
The ceremony was presided over by Dr. Michał Ciepły, Dean of the International Environmental Doctoral School. The event was attended by representatives of the University of Silesia authorities, academic staff, and doctoral students. During the official part of the ceremony, new doctoral students took their oath and received their doctoral student ID cards.
Ms Marcelina Stosik, MSc, from the Institute of Oceanology of the Polish Academy of Sciences, took the doctoral oath. She is pursuing her PhD under the supervision of Prof. Monika Kędra and Dr. Marta Szczepanek.
The inaugural lecture, entitled 'Biological Invasions of Alien Species – Causes, Consequences, Solutions', was delivered by Dr. eng. Wojciech Solarz, Professor at the Institute of Nature Conservation of the Polish Academy of Sciences.
We warmly congratulate the new doctoral students and wish them every success in their scientific careers!
On 25 October 2026 at 1:00 p.m., the State Art Gallery in Sopot will host a debate dedicated to the colours of the sea. The event will bring together researchers from the Institute of Oceanology of the Polish Academy of Sciences (IO PAN) and artist Dawid Wojtalewicz.
What processes influence the colour of the Baltic Sea? What can we learn from its changing colours? During the debate, entitled 'What Colours Does the Sea Hide?', participants will explore this phenomenon from scientific, visual and artistic perspectives.
The discussion will focus on the natural factors determining the colour of the sea, its variability, and the processes occurring in the marine environment. It will also address environmental changes in the Baltic Sea, including the impact of microplastics, as well as opportunities for collaboration between science and art in raising awareness of important ecological issues.
The Institute of Oceanology of the Polish Academy of Sciences will be represented by:
- Assoc. Prof. Mirosław Darecki
- Assoc. Prof. Joanna Stoń-Egiert
- Kaja Bałazy, PhD
- Assoc. Prof. Emilia Trudnowska
The event accompanies Norbert Delman’s exhibition 'Temporary Buoy' and is part of the project 'Natural Colours – Healthy Art and Science Against Microplastics', carried out by Dawid Wojtalewicz as part of a scholarship awarded by the Minister of Culture and National Heritage.
From October 19 to 23, 2026, the Institute of Oceanology of the Polish Academy of Sciences (IO PAN) is hosting Dr. Jee-Hoon Kim, Senior Research Scientist at the Korea Polar Research Institute (KOPRI) in South Korea.
As part of his scientific visit*, we invite you to attend the seminar, organized by IO PAN and Biological Section of Committee for Oceanic Research of Polish Academy of Sciences, entitled ‘KOPRI Biological Oceanography Activities in the Western Arctic Ocean’, during which Jee-Hoon Kim will present biological oceanography research conducted by KOPRI in the Pacific Arctic Ocean, with a particular focus on recent field research and observations from the 2026 Arctic expedition (Abstract).
Date: 21 October 2026 (Wednesday), 12:00–13:00 CET
Venue: Main Seminar Room, IO PAN
The seminar will be held in a hybrid format. Those unable to attend in person are welcome to join online via Zoom.
Zoom:
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/86885752634?pwd=WfJx7fQ0oJNSnganhS3tWGiTa4taA1.1
Meeting ID: 868 8575 2634
Passcode: 820387
Everyone is warmly invited!
*The visit was co-financed by the Polish Academy of Sciences as part of international cooperation (study visits at the Polish Academy of Sciences).
We are pleased to announce that on 7 October 2026, M.Sc. Fernando Aguado Gonzalo successfully defended his PhD dissertation, entitled 'Characteristics of the marine CO₂ system in Arctic waters'.
The dissertation, focused on the study of the marine carbonate system in Arctic waters, was prepared under the supervision of Assoc. Prof. Karol Kuliński.
The dissertation was reviewed by Prof. David Turner from the University of Gothenburg, Assoc. Prof. Katarzyna Łukawska-Matuszewska, from the University of Gdańsk, and Prof. Aleksander Astel from Pomeranian University in Słupsk.
Warmest congratulations to Fernando on his successful PhD defence!
We wish him continued scientific success, inspiring research projects, and many exciting new discoveries.
