Research

We conduct pioneering interdisciplinary oceanographic research, addressing scientific problems in a comprehensive and collaborative manner.
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Research Lines
216
Publications
35
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

Distribution and biodiversity patterns of hyperiid amphipods across the coastal-offshore gradient of the sub-tropical Southeast Pacific

Marine Biodiversity | Volume 51, Pages 1-17

doi:10.1007/s12526-020-01152-xJanuary, 2021

Espinosa, L.Escribano, R.Riquelme-Bugueño, R.Corredor-Acosta, A.
AT

The community structure of hyperiid amphipods associated with two seamount regions in the South-east Pacific

Journal of the Marine Biological Association UK (JMBA) | Pages 1-12

doi:10.1017/S0025315420001344January, 2021

Espinosa, L.Medellín-Mora, JohanaCorredor-Acosta, A.Escribano, R.
AT

Mesoscale variability in the boundaries of the oxygen minimum zone in the eastern South Pacific: influence of intrathermocline eddies

Journal of Geophysical Research: Oceans

doi:10.1029/2019JC015272December, 2020

Auger, P.Bento, J.PHormazábal, S.Morales, C.E.Bustamante, A.
AT

The Influence of pCO2-Driven Ocean Acidification on Open Ocean Bacterial Communities during A Short-Term Microcosm Experiment in the Eastern Tropical South Pacific (ETSP) off Northern Chile

AT

Early development and metabolic rate of the sea louse Caligus rogercresseyi under different scenarios of temperature and pCO2

Marine Environmental Research | Volume 162, Article 105154

doi:10.1016/j.marenvres.2020.105154December, 2020

Montory, J.ACumillof, J.PGebauer, P.Urbina, M.Cubillos, V.MNavarro, J.MMarín, S.LCruces, E.
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