Hereon at the SCAR Open Science Conference 2026 in Oslo! 🌍❄️
These questions guide the research of our scientists Prof. Ralf Ebinghaus and Dr. Zhiyong Xie from Hereon's Institute of Coastal Environmental Chemistry, who are currently representing the international research programme Antarctica InSync at the SCAR Conference.
As coordinator of the Antarctica InSync Scientific Theme 5 “Anthropogenic Impacts in Antarctica”, Hereon contributes its expertise in investigating environmental pollution in Antarctica. The focus includes PFAS (forever chemicals), organophosphate esters, phthalates, micro- and nanoplastics, as well as other human-induced pressures on Antarctic ecosystems.
At the conference, Dr. Zhiyong Xie presented first results on PFAS in Antarctic biota and co-coordinated two scientific sessions on contaminants in Antarctica, which attracted strong international interest. The sessions highlighted not only PFAS but also a broader range of pollutants investigated by Hereon researchers.
A dedicated Antarctica InSync networking event, attended by around 250 researchers, provided an opportunity to discuss future collaboration and prepare for the international research expeditions planned for the coming years.
The conference also offered valuable opportunities to strengthen partnerships within Theme 5, bringing together colleagues from Australia, Italy, Germany and many other countries. These collaborations form the foundation for the large-scale observation campaigns that will begin in late 2027.
📍 The SCAR conference in Oslo marks an important milestone in advancing our understanding of how human activities affect Antarctica and the Southern Ocean, and in developing the scientific knowledge needed to protect these unique environments for future generations.
Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research (SCAR) Umweltbundesamt UN Ocean Decade Alfred-Wegener-Institut, Helmholtz-Zentrum für Polar- und Meeresforschung Deutsches Komitee der UN-Ozeandekade (ODK) Helmholtz-Gemeinschaft Helmholtz KLIMA Deutsche Allianz Meeresforschung (DAM)
