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Research Groups

Marine sciences is an interdisciplinary subject, and our research takes place at the intersection of marine biology, marine chemistry, marine geology, and oceanography. We have a number of nationally unique research areas. We participate in larger inter-disciplinary projects, both international and national.

Marine Biology

In marine biology we study living things in the oceans and other saltwater environments such as estuaries, wetlands and shores. We study patterns and processes, as well as the interactions between organisms and their chemical signals. We take a keen interest in biological evolution in the ocean.

Research Groups in Marine Biology

Researcher is snorkelling amongst the eelgrass. — Researcher planting eelgrass shoots as part of one of the restoration projects linked to the Zorro research group.

Photo: Ellika Faust

Gunilla Toth is holding the dulse seaweed — Professor Gunilla Toth from the Seaweed Research Group. The red seaweed dulse experiences a significant boost in growth when cultivated in process water from the herring industry.

Photo: Mikael Andersson

Marine Chemistry

In marine chemistry, we study the properties, composition, and structure of elements, ions, and compounds in the ocean. We also study solid forms of marine pollution, such as micro-plastics.

Research Groups in Marine Chemistry

Research vessel in a Norwegian fjord — The Seafloor Biogeochemistry research group studies, amongst other things, greenhouse gas emissions in Norwegian fjords. The group is led by Senior Lecturer Stefano Bonaglia.

Photo: Tobia Politi

Isaac Santos by a glacial lake. — The Barefoot Biogeochemistry research group studies, for example, how melting glaciers are altering the chemistry of the ocean. The group is led by Professor Isaac Santos, who is pictured here standing by the melting Vatnajökull glacier in Iceland.

Photo: Wilma Ljungberg

Marine Geology

We study the sediments on the ocean floor. We examine the results of the physical, chemical, and biological processes that have formed the sediments, how and where they were deposited, what they contain, and what processes affect their characteristics after the deposition.

Research Groups in Marine Geology

Laurenz Thomsen with a robot — Professor Laurenz Thomsen heads the Experimental Sedimentology and Seafloor Robot Laboratory research group, that studies sediment dynamics using, amongst other things, seafloor robots.

Irina Polovodova Asteman at the microscope — Irina Polovodova Asteman of the Marine Geology Group is studying foraminifera as indicators of environmental status.

Photo: Annika Wall

Oceanography

Oceanography describes the physical state of the ocean. This includes the study of physical processes controlling the motion and properties of ocean waters and how these vary across different time and spatial scales – from the smallest turbulent eddies to the circulation of the world’s oceans.

We take a keen interest in the polar regions and the ocean’s impact on the atmosphere and climate.

Research groups in Oceanography

Fabien Roquet on board the R/V Skagerak — The Physical Oceanography research group is investigating the global ocean circulation, such as GOC and AMOC. The group is led by Professor Fabien Roquet.

Photo: Agnes Faxén

Researchers on board vessels with autonomous gliders — The Polar Gliders research group wants to understand the key ocean processes that regulate global climate. In their research, the reserachers use autonomous underwater vehicles, so called gliders. The group is led by Professor Sebastiaan Swart.

Preservation of Marine Cultural Heritage

We study shipwrecks and archaeological wood. Besides cultural heritage wood from marine environments, we also study archaeological wood that originates from waterlogged areas on land.

Research Groups in Preservation of Marine Cultural Heritage

Archaeological wood in terrestrial and marine environments (External link)

Charlotte Björdal on a small boat — Professor Emerita Charlotte Björdal heads the Archaeological Wood research group.

Photo: Göteborgs universitet