Johann Lutjeharms

Johann Reinder Erlers Lutjeharms (13 April 1944 - 8 June 2011), was a leading South African marine scientist and an authority in the oceanography of the Agulhas Current, who authored a definitive work on the subject, The Agulhas Current (Springer 2006). His main field of investigation was the large-scale circulation patterns of the oceans adjacent to southern Africa and their influence on weather and climate, and he participated in 17 research cruises and was responsible for a further 48 projects undertaken on such cruises.[1][2]

Scientific career

Lutjeharms joined the National Research Institute for Oceanology of the South African Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), where he held the position of chief specialist researcher. He became the Chair of Ocean Climatology at the University of Cape Town in 1990 and, in 1993, became the founding director of UCT’s Centre for Marine Studies.[1][2] He was made Professor Extraordinarius at the University of South Africa in 2009.

Natal pulse

He coined the term ‘Natal pulse’ in 1988 to describe a large offshore meander in the Agulhas Current originating near Durban. This meander travels slowly down the east coast of South Africa towards Port Elizabeth, then leaves the coast in a U-turn known as the retroflection. Becoming the Agulhas Return Current, it then turns east, before looping back towards Madagascar.[3]

Delagoa Bight eddy

Lutjeharms also described and named the cyclonic Delagoa Bight eddy.[4]

Awards and fellowships

Lutjeharms was a recipient of South Africa’s highest honour, the Order of Mapungubwe (Silver)(2010), for his contribution to and achievements in oceanographic science. The University of Cape Town has three main forms of recognition for its academic staff; Lutjeharms received all three, and he held honorary degrees from the universities of Johannesburg, Pretoria and Rhodes.

Offices and memberships

Afrikaans

Lutjeharms extended his academic endeavours to the Afrikaans language by compiling a dictionary of oceanographic terms, and contributing to the leading dictionary of the language.[1]

Biography

Early life and education

Lutjeharms was born in Bloemfontein on 13 April 1944, and attended Grey College. He completed his undergraduate studies in physics and, in 1971, received his MSc (cum laude) in oceanography at the University of Cape Town and was awarded the Harry Crossley Bursary, the Fisheries Development Corporation postgraduate overseas bursary and the CSIR overseas bursary to study for a PhD at the University of Washington, where he graduated in 1977.[1][2]

Marriage and children

Lutjeharms was married to Ronel and they have two children, Wilhelm and Maria.

Death

Lutjeharms died at his home in Stellenbosch, aged 67, on World Oceans Day, 8 June 2011, after a 10-year battle with cancer.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Stapley, James (2011) In Memoriam Johann Reinder Erlers Lutjeharms. Distance Information Sharing Tool (DLIST) Agulhas and Somali Current Large Marine Ecosystems. http://www.dlist-asclme.org
  2. 1 2 3 Scientific Committee on Oceanic Research (SCOR)(2010) Memorials for Scientists Involved With SCOR. October 19, 2010
  3. ↑ Shillington, Frank (2011) Johann Lutjeharms: Oceanographer (1944–2011). South African Journal of Science 107 (9/10)
  4. ↑ Lutjeharms, J.R.E. and A. Jorge Da Silva (1988) The Delagoa Bight eddy. Deep-Sea Research Part A: Oceanographic Research Papers. Volume 35, Issue 4, April 1988, Pages 619–634
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