Merentutkimuksen

Merentutkimus is the scientific study of the oceans and seas, including their physical, chemical, geological, and biological properties and processes, as well as the interactions between marine systems and the atmosphere, land, and human activities. The field encompasses physical oceanography, chemical oceanography, marine biology, marine ecology, and marine geology, along with interdisciplinary areas such as paleoceanography and marine technology.

Subfields and methods in merentutkimus cover a broad range of topics. Physical oceanography investigates currents, waves, tides, and heat transport; chemical oceanography analyzes salinity, nutrients, carbonate chemistry, and trace elements; biological oceanography and marine ecology study organisms and ecosystems; marine geology examines seabed morphology and sediments. Researchers employ ships, autonomous underwater vehicles, moorings, and remote sensing, supported by numerical models and statistical analyses to collect data and test hypotheses.

Applications of merentutkimus span climate science, biodiversity conservation, fisheries management, and coastal planning. It contributes to understanding climate change, ocean heat content, the carbon cycle, and sea level rise; assesses pollution, ecosystem health, and biodiversity; and informs policy, maritime safety, and coastal resilience. The work often supports early-warning systems for storms and changing ocean conditions.

In Finland, merentutkimus is conducted by universities and research institutes such as the University of Helsinki and the Finnish Environment Institute (SYKE), with collaboration in international networks and programs like the Global Ocean Observing System (GOOS) and the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES). The field emphasizes open data, methodological rigor, and interdisciplinary cooperation.