The Oceanic Platform of the Canary Islands (PLOCAN) has recognised the collaboration and notable impact that Ulf Riebesell, professor of Biological Oceanography at the GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel, has had on this institution by naming a room in the institution after him.
Ulf Riebesell has been the driving force and coordinator of the cooperation between PLOCAN, GEOMAR and the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (ULPGC) in the field of oceanographic research, developing the KOSMOS project in the waters off Gran Canaria over the last decade.
During the tribute to the researcher, in which a plaque with his name was unveiled, the director of PLOCAN, José Joaquín Hernández Brito, thanked Riebesell ‘not only for choosing us to be part of his international network of climate change observation points, but for going even further’, explaining that he ‘incorporated us into the network of solution creators, inspiring us to look for methods to capture CO2, neutralise acidity and better understand the ocean system’ and noting that his work on artificial fertilisation ‘is an inspiration for all of us’.

The main objective of the KOSMOS project, which is funded by the Excellence Cluster Future Ocean and the ERC Ocean Art-Up and Helmholtz European Partnering Ocean-CDR projects, is to investigate the effects of ocean acidification caused by carbon dioxide emissions.
This project highlights the relevance of international cooperation in oceanographic research and the study of climate change, aspects that PLOCAN wanted to highlight through this tribute to Professor Riebesell.
The contribution of this researcher at PLOCAN ‘goes far beyond data and publications’, said Hernández Brito. ‘It is a legacy of hope, collaboration and humanity. He has left an indelible mark on each of us, reminding us that together we can face greater challenges.’
As a result of the collaboration established between PLOCAN, GEOMAR and the ULPGC, promoted by Professor Riebesell, eight mesocosm studies have been carried out in Gran Canaria, twenty-four joint publications and six summer schools, all of these actions being based on research related to ocean acidification, artificial upwelling and alkalinity enhancement.