University of Gothenburg
Department of Marine Sciences
Measuring instrument
Photo: Alex Ingle, Schmidt Ocean Institute
  2. Department of Marine Sciences
  3. Our Research
  4. Research Projects

Research Projects

Marine sciences is an interdisciplinary subject, and our research is conducted at the intersection of marine biology, marine geology, marine chemistry and oceanography. We have several research areas that are unique in Sweden. Our research is also carried out as part of larger interdisciplinary projects, both national and international.

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. 

mussel farm
The project COOL BLUE (Community Ocean Farms and Local Business Clusters) is a collaborative project to develop the concept of marine allotments in Sweden, Denmark and Finland. PI is Maria Bodin.
Photo: Lars Hestbæk
Kelp forest
The Kelp-IT project will use autonomous underwater vehicles to map kelp forests and their habitats. The PI is Professor Lars Gamfeldt.
Photo: Kristoffer Stedt

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.

Deployment of CockTail measuring instrument
The RECLESS project investigates oxygen-depleted marine areas. The researchers are using a game-changing measuring instrument to do in-situ investigations in the sea.
Photo: Alex Ingle, Schmidt Ocean Institute
Melting coastal area in Svalbard
The project Melting Boundaries – Revealing Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Emerging Arctic Landscapes will do measurements in Svalbard regarding emissions of the three key greenhouse gases: carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide.

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.

foraminifera
The project FAME is about the spread of microscopic alien species. The foraminifera of the species Nonionella sp. T1 is model organism.
robot crawler
The project REDRESS will map degraded deep-sea habitats and identify habitat refugia to prioritize restoration efforts that will adapt to future scenarios of climate change.

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.

Deployment of marine glider
The SOFIA project aims to investigate how air-sea interactions impact ocean heat uptake in the region. PI is Marcel du Plessis.
Antarctic ice shelf
The OCEAN:ICE project aims to improve predictions of how changes in the Antarctic and Greenland ice sheets affect the global climate. PI is Professor Anna Wåhlin.
Photo: Anna Wåhlin
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