Volker Mohrholz

Volker Mohrholz is a Researcher at the Leibniz Institute for Baltic Sea Research Warnemünde (IOW), specializing in Physical Oceanography and biogeochemical processes. His work focuses on estuarine circulation in the Baltic Sea, dynamics of water exchange, upwelling systems in the Benguela region, and turbulent processes in shelf seas. He holds a Ph.D. from Universität Rostock (1998) and a Diplom in Physics (1994), both in oceanography-related disciplines. Mohrholz leads and collaborates on major projects such as the AIR-MoPSy, MnION, and MAPUCHE initiatives, investigating topics like atmospheric impacts on positioning systems, nitrogen metabolism in river plumes, and Patagonian fjord dynamics. His research integrates observations and modeling to understand climate-driven changes in marine systems, with a particular emphasis on hypoxia, nutrient cycling, and ecosystem responses. Mohrholz has contributed to over 150 publications, including studies on Arctic Ocean dynamics, Baltic Sea hydrography, and Benguela upwelling variability. He serves as a key figure in long-term monitoring programs and international collaborations, such as the MOSAiC Arctic expedition and Benguela-Namibian ecosystem studies.

Education:

• Ph.D. in Physical Oceanography (1998), Universität Rostock
• Diplom Physik (1994), Universität Rostock

Research Interests: Estuarine and shelf sea dynamics, biogeochemical cycles, upwelling systems, climate impacts, turbulent mixing processes, and long-term ocean monitoring. His work bridges physical oceanography with ecosystem studies, focusing on regions like the Baltic Sea, Benguela Current, and Arctic Ocean.

Key Projects:

• AIR-MoPSy: Atmospheric impact on positioning systems in marine environments
• MAPUCHE: Investigating anoxia impacts in Patagonian fjords and Chilean upwelling regions
• CUSCO: Coastal upwelling under climate change in Peruvian waters
• EVAR: Benguela system oxygen and carbon budgets under climate variability

Labs/Teams: Leads the Physical Oceanography and Instrumentation department at IOW, managing long-term moorings and microstructure profiling activities. Collaborates with international teams on Arctic expeditions and African upwelling studies.