Anna Panasiuk

Dr. Anna Panasiuk serves as an Adjunct Professor at the University of Gdańsk's Faculty of Oceanography and Geography, where she is actively affiliated with the Division of Marine Biology and Ecology and the Division of Marine Plankton Research. Her research program bridges Antarctic and Baltic Sea ecosystems through rigorous investigations of marine pollution dynamics and zooplankton ecology, with particular emphasis on bioindicator species and contaminant transfer pathways.

Her research interests center on mercury contamination mechanisms, microplastic pollution impacts, and pharmaceutical residue effects in marine environments. She specializes in using Antarctic krill (Euphausia superba), salps (Salpa thompsoni), and Pygoscelis penguins as bioindicators to trace pollution sources and assess ecosystem health. Her work examines trophic transfer of contaminants from primary producers through zooplankton to top predators, with significant contributions to understanding how climate change amplifies pollution impacts in polar regions. This research has established critical baselines for monitoring anthropogenic effects on vulnerable marine ecosystems.

Analysis of her 2022-2025 publications reveals a consistent focus on mercury biogeochemistry in Antarctic zooplankton and krill, alongside emerging work on microplastics and pharmaceuticals in both polar and temperate waters. A defining characteristic is her comparative approach between Antarctic and Baltic ecosystems, highlighting regional differences in pollution profiles and ecosystem responses. Her studies frequently employ multi-trophic level analyses to demonstrate how contaminants move through food webs, with particular attention to how climate-driven changes in sea ice and ocean currents alter pollution pathways. This integrated methodology provides essential data for global marine conservation efforts and pollution mitigation strategies.