Soft Matter and Complex Systems Seminar
sala 1.40, ul. Pasteura 5
2026-04-17 (09:30) 
Emilia Trudnowska (Institute of Oceanology, Polish Academy of Sciences)
Ocean Particles in Motion: Patchiness, Fluxes, and Ecosystem Links from an In Situ Perspective
Particles in the ocean—ranging from microscopic to larger aggregates - marine snow are fundamental carriers of carbon, energy, and ecological interactions. I will present an in situ perspective on those aspects and what are the methodologies and technologies used by oceanographers for direct observations of particles in their natural environment. These include laser counters, underwater vision profilers, sediment traps, and autonomous platforms that resolve particle.
My work has been oscillating around explorations how particle dynamics vary across spatial and temporal scales and the processes that shape particles distribution, transformation, and ecological significance across diverse marine environments: Arctic (Svalbard, Greenland, Barents Sea), Antarctic, sub-Antarctic (Beagle Channel), north Atlantic (Gulf Stream, Norwegian Sea), and Pacific (Monterey Bay). The presented examples of key processes governing particles dynamics include: 1) patchiness, 2) models of secondary production based on size structure, 3) particle–plankton co-existance, 4) classification of particles into morphocategories that reflect their origin and transformation pathways, 5) particle flux and sinking rates in relation to carbon export and ecosystem connectivity, 6) mapping approaches that link particle distributions to food availability for higher trophic levels such as fish and seabirds, 7) the effects of glacier melting o particle pools and transformations, 8) resuspension of particles in kelp forest systems, and 9) seasonal variability in shaping particle abundance and composition.
By integrating observational techniques with process-based understanding, this lecture underscores the importance of particles as a unifying framework for studying marine ecosystems, and aims to stimulate new perspectives for discussion and collaboration.
My work has been oscillating around explorations how particle dynamics vary across spatial and temporal scales and the processes that shape particles distribution, transformation, and ecological significance across diverse marine environments: Arctic (Svalbard, Greenland, Barents Sea), Antarctic, sub-Antarctic (Beagle Channel), north Atlantic (Gulf Stream, Norwegian Sea), and Pacific (Monterey Bay). The presented examples of key processes governing particles dynamics include: 1) patchiness, 2) models of secondary production based on size structure, 3) particle–plankton co-existance, 4) classification of particles into morphocategories that reflect their origin and transformation pathways, 5) particle flux and sinking rates in relation to carbon export and ecosystem connectivity, 6) mapping approaches that link particle distributions to food availability for higher trophic levels such as fish and seabirds, 7) the effects of glacier melting o particle pools and transformations, 8) resuspension of particles in kelp forest systems, and 9) seasonal variability in shaping particle abundance and composition.
By integrating observational techniques with process-based understanding, this lecture underscores the importance of particles as a unifying framework for studying marine ecosystems, and aims to stimulate new perspectives for discussion and collaboration.