Marine research

The research at the Marine Research Programme at FMI is based on international cooperation and includes the study of sea ice, surface waves and sea level, and ocean hydrography and circulation.

The Programme aims to describe the conditions in the Baltic Sea and in the northern oceans, and to understand how they interact with the climate. Wave and surface motions are also important for studying the drift of oil spills under the influence of wind, waves and surface currents. This research creates the foundation that is necessary for developing and improving forecasts and operative models and services, leading to safer sea transports in the Baltic and helping to prevent damage to the environment.

The Marine Research Programme consists of three groups:

• Ice Research. The group provides research and developement on e.g. sea ice remote sensing methods, and forecast models for ice structure, dynamics, thermodynamics, and drift. Main geographical areas are the Baltic Sea and Arctic oceans. 
• Waves and Sea Level. The research of this group concentrates on surface waves and variations in the sea level, seeking to develop better operative forecast methods for these. The group also studies the exchange of carbon dioxide (a greenhouse gas) between the ocean and the atmosphere, as well as long-term changes of the sea level in the Baltic.
• Marine Dynamics and Modelling. This group studies and develops numerical models of the circulation and physical properties of the Baltic Sea. These are used in operative forecasts of currents, temperature and salinity in the Baltic Sea.