| Short Name: Finnish Environment Institute - Marine Research Center |  |
| Country: Finland |
Description
Suomen Ymparistokeskus (SYKE) is a multidisciplinary research and expert institute. Our most important task is to solve society’s most burning questions that have an impact on the environment. We are building a sustainable society. We provide necessary information, multidisciplinary expertise and expert services for public and private decision-making.
We have some 580 competent experts and researchers. We work in close and stimulating co-operation with Finnish and international partners. SYKE has four office and research facilities in Helsinki, Oulu, Jyväskylä and Joensuu.
The Baltic Sea is a shallow sea with brackish water and it is strained by a large population, which makes the sea vulnerable. SYKE, the Finnish Environment Institute – Marine Research Center produces information on the state and changes of the sea to support decision-making.
With the help of research, we estimate the effect of human activities on the Baltic Sea and the requirements of sustainable development in the Baltic Sea. We produce methods for estimating the state of the sea and for planning maritime areas, and information to reconcile ecological, economic and societal goals.
SYKE coordinates and realises national long-term monitoring of the sea and researches the functioning of seas in a multidisciplinary way by using modelling, measurements and observations. We act as an expert on the implementation of Finnish marine resource management planning, EU maritime legislation and the Baltic Sea environmental protection convention.
The marine research vessel RV Aranda, the Utö marine research station and our laboratories provide excellent facilities for developing the technology of marine research. Our work is supported by FINMARI (Finnish Marine Research Infrastructure), which is coordinated by SYKE.
We cooperate with Estonia and Russia for the good of the marine environment of the Gulf of Finland. We work together closely with European universities, research institutes and enterprises. Our work also extends to the Arctic region and developing countries.
Role
SYKE are involved in WP2 Transnational Access.
Access to Research Vessels and related infrastructure: access to RV Aranda [Global/Ocean], a polar research vessel for Eurofleets+ research, training and other TNA activities in European and Polar marine areas with all associated research equipment. Also, a container-based sampling and laboratory system that enables suitable vessels to be used as replacement RVs.
SYKE will also undertake activities in WP1 Project Management, WP5 Stakeholder Engagement, and WP8 Foresight: Legacy and Roadmap.
Modality of access: RV Aranda’s annual cruise planning is done one year in advance. All mandatory monitoring and survey cruises are inserted into the schedule, and suitable slots will be then arranged for all project cruises. Finalizing the annual cruise plan is usually confirmed in November-December of the previous year.
Support offered: All vessel’s equipment will be available for scientific
Outreach to new users: We strongly encourage projects that involve co-operation between scientists from different national and international institutions.
Relevant Publications
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Norkko J., Gammal J., Hewitt J., Josefson A.B., Carstensen J., Norkko A., 2015. Seafloor ecosystem function relationships: in situ patterns of change across gradients of increasing hypoxic stress. Ecosystems 1-16
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Clare N. Webster, Sture Hansson, Tomas Didrikas, Elena Gorokhova, Heikki Peltonen, Andrew S. Brierley, Maiju Lehtiniemi (2015): Stuck between a rock and a hard place: zooplankton vertical distribution and hypoxia in the Gulf of Finland, Baltic Sea. Mar Biol 62:1429–1440.
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Maiju Lehtiniemi, Elena Gorokhova, Sören Bolte, Holger Haslob, Bastian Huwer, Tarja Katajisto, Lennart Lennuk, Sanna Majaneva, Arno Põllumäe, Matthias Schaber, Outi Setälä, Thorsten Reusch, Satu Viitasalo-Frösén, Ilppo Vuorinen, Pentti Välipakka 2013: Distribution and reproduction of the Arctic comb jelly Mertensia ovum in the Baltic Sea. Marine Ecology Progress Series 491: 111–124 DOI 10.3354/meps10464
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Bełdowski, J., Klusek, Z., Szubska, M., Turja, R., Bulczak, A.I., Rak, D., Brenner, M., Lang, T. Kotwicki, L., Grzelak, K., Jakacki, J., Fricke, N., Östin, A., Olsson, U., Fabisiak, J., Garnaga, G., Nyholm, J.R., Majewski, P., Broeg, K., Söderström, M., Vanninen, P., Popiel, S., Lehtonen, K.K., Berglind, R. (2016) Chemical Munitions Search & Assessment – an evaluation of the dumped munitions problem in the Baltic Sea. Deep-Sea Research Part II 128:85-95.
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Korhonen et al. 2013. Sedimentation of PCDD/Fs and PCBs in the Gulf of Finland and the Gulf of Bothnia, the Baltic Sea. Chemosphere 93 (8), 1541-1547.
