Research

We conduct pioneering interdisciplinary oceanographic research, addressing scientific problems in a comprehensive and collaborative manner.
2
Research Lines
186
Publications
37
Researchers

What is our main area of concern?

The eastern South Pacific Ocean is IMO’s main object of study because it has sharp hydrographic, biochemical and ecological gradients, ranging from extremely productive waters in the Humboldt Current to highly oligotrophic waters in the Subtropical Gyre.

Additionally, in the last decade, the scientific community has acquired an important understanding of the structure and functioning of the Humboldt Current. However, little is known about the vast region of oceanic waters and about the mesoscale activity connecting contrasting environments. At IMO we want to focus part of our research on this oceanic zone.

What is the impact of research in the eastern South Pacific?

It is clear that the dynamics of the eastern South Pacific have a global impact because it is a region where important Antarctic Intermediate Waters are formed. It has strong atmospheric-oceanic connections and coastal-ocean exchanges with the equatorial ocean and contains one of the world’s largest oxygen minimum zones (OMZs).

The peculiarities of the ecosystems in the eastern South Pacific make them natural laboratories for the study of the functioning of the ocean and for the prediction of the way in which ecosystems could react to future global changes. These studies will provide the basis for the management and conservation of the unique ecosystems in this oceanic region.

Research lines

The Deep Ocean

What are the community structures and the biogeochemical characteristics of deep and abyssal waters in the eastern South Pacific?

Adapting to a Changing Ocean

How do key functional groups of plankton adapt to chemical changes in oceans and how does this affect biochemical cycles?

Oceanic Variability

How do large-scale perturbations affect water transport, physical-chemical gradients and dynamics in the eastern South Pacific?

The Deep Ocean

What are the physical and biogeochemical characteristics of deep and ultra-deep waters of the eastern South Pacific, and which of those determine the diversity and functional structure of their pelagic communities?

Mesoscale Processes

What is the role of mesoscale activity in the regulation of energy-matter transfer and ecosystem dynamics in oceanic waters?

A Variable and Changing Ocean

Associate researchers

Osvaldo Ulloa, PhD.

Professor @ UDEC

Rubén Escribano, PhD.

Professor @ UDEC

Oscar Pizarro, PhD.

Professor @ UDEC

Wolfgang Schneider, PhD.

Professor @ UDEC

Cristian Vargas, PhD.

Associate Professor @ UDEC

Peter von Dassow, PhD.

Associate Professor @ PUC
Meet our researchers

Latest publications

Revealing enigmatic mucus structures in the deep sea using DeepPIV

Nature research journal | Pages 1-5

doi:10.1038/s41586-020-2345-2June, 2020

Katija, K.Troni, G.Daniels, J.Lance, K.Sherlock, R. E.Sherman, A. D.Robison, B. H.
AT

Autotrophic carbon fixation pathways along the redox gradient in oxygen‐depleted oceanic waters

Environmental Microbiology Reports | Volume 12, Issue 3, Pages 334-341

doi:10.1111/1758-2229.12837June, 2020

Ruiz, P.Ramírez-Flandes, S.Rodríguez, E.Ulloa, O.
A

The role of the Magellan Strait on the southwest South Atlantic shelf

Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science | Volume 237, Article 106661

doi:10.1016/j.ecss.2020.106661May, 2020

Brun, A.A.Ramírez, N.Pizarro, O.Piola, A.R.
AT

Response of phytoplankton assemblages from naturally acidic coastal ecosystems to elevated pCO2

Frontiers in Marine Science | Volume 7, Article 323

doi:10.3389/fmars.2020.00323May, 2020

Osma, N.Latorre-Melín, L.Jacob, B.Contreras, P.Y.Von Dassow, P.Vargas, C.A.
A

The Influence of Diapycnal Nutrient Fluxes on Phytoplankton Size Distribution in an Area of Intense Mesoscale and Submesoscale Activity off Concepción, Chile

Journal of Geophysical Research: Oceans | Volume 125, Pages 1-20

doi:10.1029/2019JC015539May, 2020

Corredor-Acosta, A.Morales, C.E.Anabalón, V.Valencia, L.Hormazábal, S.Rodríguez-Santana, A.
TA
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