PEOPLE

PEOPLE

Aki Vähä

Aki Vähä

PhD Student
Micrometeorology & Greenhouse Gas Fluxes 

Tvärminne Zoological Station & Institute of Atmospheric and Earth System Research, University of Helsinki

My research concentrates on measuring the amount of carbon dioxide (CO2) and methane (CH4) that the coastal ecosystem exchanges with the atmosphere. My main method of research is the eddy covariance technique, which provides near-continuous measurements of these gas fluxes. In addition, we test and develop existing models in order to quantify how physical drivers in the natural environment, such as wind and the heating and cooling of water, control the exchange of gases.


Keywords: greenhouse gas fluxes, eddy covariance, sea–atmosphere interaction, turbulence, carbon cycling

Aleksandra Lewandowska

Aleksandra Lewandowska

Assistant Professor
Pelagic Ecology  

Tvärminne Zoological Station, University of Helsinki

I am interested in causes and consequences of biodiversity change in plankton food webs and I’m passionate about its complexity.

My research is focused on species interactions within phytoplankton to understand how changes in diversity alter resource use efficiency and primary productivity in the sea. From the food web perspective, I examine how producer and consumer diversity affect elements cycling and energy transfer between trophic levels. I like to combine different approaches to understand plankton dynamics, including field and laboratory experiments, data analyses and statistical models. Within CoastClim I study the consequences of plankton biodiversity change for pelagic carbon uptake.

Keywords: marine biodiversity, pelagic food-webs, plankton communities, experimental ecology, climate change

Alexander Sokolov

Alexander Sokolov

Researcher
Ecosystem Modelling

Baltic Sea Centre, Stockholm University

My fields of interest include software development for environmental research, hydrodynamic modelling of coastal areas and submesoscale processes in the Baltic Sea. Within the CoastClim project I am working on a high-resolution model of the Gulf of Finland to study how submesoscale processes (upwellings, filaments) interact with small scale coastal areas.

Keywords: hydrodynamic modelling, submesoscale processes, software development.

Alf Norkko

Alf Norkko

Professor, Academic Leader at TZS & Guest Professor at BSC
Benthic Ecology

Tvärminne Zoological Station, University of Helsinki; Baltic Sea Centre, Stockholm University

I am broadly interested in the biodiversity of marine ecosystems and the influence of human pressures, such as eutrophication, hypoxia, and climate change on ecosystem functioning. My particular research interests include the biodiversity of seafloor communities and their influence on carbon and nutrient transformation and retention along environmental gradients in coastal ecosystems.

My role is to advance a systems-level understanding of how biodiversity- and climate change interact to influence coastal ecosystems. I am passionate about promoting basic science as a knowledge base to support decision-making.

Keywords: marine biodiversity, ecosystem functioning, systems ecology, human pressures, coastal ecosystems

Anna Vesanen CoastClim

Anna Vesanen

Technical Assistant

Tvärminne Zoological Station, University of Helsinki

My work includes assisting researchers in the field and in the laboratory. My background in marine biology and scientific diving gives me tools to help with high quality research experiments in and out the water.

Keywords: scientific diving, field work, sample processing.

Anna Villnäs

Anna Villnäs

Researcher
Benthic Ecology

Tvärminne Zoological Station, University of Helsinki; Baltic Sea Centre, Stockholm University

My research focuses on how structural and functional aspects of benthic biodiversity contribute to ecosystem functions and services, and how this relationship is affected by environmental change. I am currently studying the variability in benthic stoichiometry to assess the magnitude and turnover rates of benthic fauna carbon and nutrient pools in coastal ecosystems over temporal and spatial scales.

Keywords: marine biodiversity, benthic ecology, stoichiometry, ecosystem functioning, carbon and nutrient cycling

Bo Gustavsson

Bo Gustafsson

Researcher
Ecosystem Modelling

Baltic Sea Centre, Stockholm University

I develop and use numerical models to understand and quantify the dynamics of interconnecting processes in the marine ecosystem with the primary aim to evaluate and advice environmental management. I have largest experience in physical-biogeochemical modeling with eutrophication management applications, but here the scope will be widened to modeling of the greenhouse gas transports and transformations.


Keywords: biogeochemical cycling, marine modeling, benthic-pelagic coupling, greenhouse gas dynamics, management support

Camilla Gustafsson

Researcher & Coordinator
Benthic Ecology

Tvärminne Zoological Station, University of Helsinki

My research interests lie in marine biodiversity and ecosystem functioning with a focus on submerged vegetation such as seagrasses and other vascular aquatic plants. I am currently working on how macrophyte diversity in terms of functional traits contribute to ecosystem processes such as primary production and carbon dynamics in vegetated coastal environments across spatial and temporal scales.


Keywords: marine biodiversity, carbon cycling, seagrass, macrophyte ecology, functional traits

Catharina Uth

Catharina Uth

PhD Student
Pelagic Ecology

Tvärminne Zoological Station, University of Helsinki

I am interested in biodiversity in general and in phytoplankton. My main interest is the role of phytoplankton in the carbon cycle. My research focuses on the uptake and export of carbon by phytoplankton in the form of CO₂ and CH₄. I also study the effects of changes in phytoplankton community structure on the carbon cycle in coastal areas.

Keywords: carbon cycling, phytoplankton ecology, marine biodiversity, functional traits, community composition

Christian Stranne

Assistant Professor
Marine Geophysical Mapping and Modeling

Department of Geological Sciences, Stockholm University,
Baltic Sea Centre, Stockholm University and
Bolin Centre, Stockholm University

I am using numerical modeling to study the fate of dissolved and gaseous methane within marine sediments. I am also active within the field of hydro-acoustics, using echosounders to observe e.g. seafloor gas bubble discharge, ocean stratification and turbulent mixing within the water column. In an ongoing project, we are combining a sophisticated sediment model with a coupled ocean-bubble model to investigate where and when our oceans can become hotspots for methane emissions to the atmosphere.

Keywords: methane fluxes, sediment-water column coupling, hydro-acoustics, numerical modeling, methane emissions, acoustic midwater mapping

Christoph Humborg

Christoph Humborg

Professor & Academic Leader at BSC
Pelagic Biogeochemistry

Baltic Sea Centre, Stockholm University

One main research focus deals with eutrophication issues of the Baltic Sea and its catchment. We address nutrient pathways in various watersheds and estuaries of the Baltic, which shape the biogeochemical conditions in various basins of the Baltic Sea.

Moreover, I am involved in international studies on carbon dynamics in high latitude watersheds and estuaries with focus on riverine carbon transports, coastal carbon dynamics and GHG emissions. A long-term aim of these studies is to quantify how marine biodiversity regulate biogeochemical cycling and contribute to carbon capture, recycling and atmospheric feedbacks/exchange.

Keywords: nutrient and carbon land-sea fluxes, coastal GHG dynamics

Ekaterina Ezhova

Researcher
Aerosol-Climate Feedbacks

Institute of Atmospheric and Earth System Research, University of Helsinki

My research focuses on land-atmosphere-hydrosphere interactions and feedbacks in boreal zone. Currently, I am focusing on joint analysis of various physical and ecological processes in atmosphere and hydrosphere based on measurements in the coastal zone. How do coastal ecosystems contribute to climate-atmosphere-biosphere feedbacks and what are the control parameters/processes?


Keywords: carbon sink, coastal zone, stratification, waves and turbulence, atmospheric aerosol/VOC/GHG

Erik Gustavsson

Erik Gustafsson

Researcher
Ecosystem Modelling

Baltic Sea Centre, Stockholm University

My research is primarily focused on numerical modelling of physical and biogeochemical processes in the Baltic Sea. The model calculations are used to describe and understand past and potential future changes of e.g. salinity, carbon and nutrient cycling, oxygen conditions, and acidification depending on CO₂ emissions, climate, and land-use change. I am currently working to improve the understanding of causes and consequences of acidification in the Baltic Sea.


Keywords: physical-biogeochemical modelling, nutrient cycling, carbon cycling, inorganic carbon system, climate change

Eva Rohlfer

Eva Rohlfer

PhD Student
Benthic Ecology

Tvärminne Zoological Station, University of Helsinki

My research focus on benthic macrofaunal contribution to carbon cycling. I am interested in biodiversity, carbon stocks and turnover of benthic macrofauna on temporal and spatial scales to describe variation on temporal and spatial scales and the effect of stressors. Within CoastClim my research will be linked to different parts of the ecosystem to explore the role of benthic fauna within coastal carbon dynamics.


Keywords: benthic ecology, macrofauna, carbon cycling, ecosystem functioning, marine biodiversity

Gun Rudqvist

Gun Rudquist

Head of Policy
Communication & Policy Recommendation

Baltic Sea Centre, Stockholm University

My role in CoastClim is to assist in bridging the gap between science and policy by keeping an eye on ongoing policy processes and communicate relevant research results at the right moment, to the right stakeholders. Relevant stakeholders include for instance the EU Commission, members of the European Parliament, parliamentarians from Baltic Sea countries, businesses and the civil society.


I have a background in agriculture (MSc in plant science from SLU) and have worked with extension agencies, development aid, civil society, and business – always with a focus on pushing sustainable development by linking policy and science.

Ilona Riipinen

Ilona Riipinen

Professor
Aerosol-Climate Feedbacks

Department of Environmental Science, Stockholm University

My research focuses on understanding the sources, sinks and evolution of atmospheric aerosol particles and their interactions with clouds, climate and human health. My current focus is largely on the interactions between aerosol particles and the atmospheric gas phase, in particular the formation and effects of atmospheric organic aerosol and thus the feedback between ecosystems, human activities and climate. Within CoastClim I work on the implications of emissions from the Baltic Sea on atmospheric aerosol loadings.


Keywords: atmospheric composition, atmospheric aerosols, phase transitions, air-sea interactions

Ilse Klockars

Ilse Klockars

Science Communicator
Communication & Policy Recommendation

Tvärminne Zoological Station, University of Helsinki

My work is to inform and inspire the public about scientific knowledge. I want to share stories about what the scientists results today might mean for climate change in the future. Communicating science is critical to solving the world’s most urgent issues like the ecological crisis. I work with communication in a wide range of forms, from social media to newsletters and organizing events. I also want to inspire the next generation of scientists, science education for children is a part of my work.


Keywords: communication, knowledge, newsletter, writing, stories, science education

Ivan Mammarella

Ivan Mammarella

Professor
Micrometeorology & Greenhouse Gas Fluxes

Institute of Atmospheric and Earth System Research, University of Helsinki

My research interests are related to biosphere-atmosphere interactions and, in particular, on measuring and modelling vertical exchange processes of momentum, energy, greenhouse gases, other trace gases and aerosol particles between the atmosphere and different terrestrial ecosystems (forest, wetland and water bodies). Within CoastClim, I am focusing on air-water interaction, including studies of physical and biogeochemical processes in coastal water ecosystems especially related to the carbon cycle.


Keywords: gas exchange, carbon cycling, eddy covariance, CO₂ and CH₄ fluxes, air-water gas transfer velocity parameterizations

Joanna Norkko

Joanna Norkko

Research Coordinator & Local Station Leader at TZS
Benthic Ecology

Tvärminne Zoological Station, University of Helsinki

I am a marine benthic ecologist with a particular interest in the links between soft-sediment invertebrate fauna and ecosystem functioning. I investigate know how environmental change, such as eutrophication, hypoxia, climate change, ocean acidification and invasive species, affects the benthic fauna and subsequently ecosystem functioning. As the local station leader at TZS, I am also responsible for research infrastructure development.


Keywords: marine biodiversity, ecosystem functioning, marine heatwaves, benthic-pelagic coupling, invasive species

Johanna Gammal CoastClim

Johanna Gammal

Project planner
Benthic Ecology

Tvärminne Zoological Station, University of Helsinki

I am a marine benthic ecologist with an interest in the relationships between benthic macrofauna communities and ecosystem functioning, and especially how these relationships are affected by the multiple pressures our coastal ecosystems are experiencing (pressures such as eutrophication, hypoxia, and climate change). As a project planner at TZS my role within the CoastClim is to assist with research project planning and project administration. 

Keywords: marine biodiversity, benthic ecology, ecosystem functioning, coastal stressors

Kurt Spence

Kurt Spence

Research Technician

Tvärminne Zoological Station, University of Helsinki

My work includes installation and maintenance of sampling instruments and equipment. I
also assist the researchers with field sampling and laboratory analysis.
I have experience with atmospheric and marine measurements as well as the operation of
equipment in harsh conditions.

Lisa Bergqvist

Science Journalist
Communication & Policy Recommendation

Baltic Sea Centre, Stockholm University

My work is to make the scientific results and knowledge available for policy makers and the public by writing web articles and other publications, and by making illustrations and videos. I am also engaged in composing and distributing newsletters, organising events, communications support and social media publication.

Keywords: communication, newsletter, writing, video, illustration

Lydia White

Lydia White

Postdoc
Benthic Ecology

Tvärminne Zoological Station, University of Helsinki

My research focuses on understanding links between benthic habitats and ecosystem
functioning and stability. I am currently exploring the magnitude and the dynamics of
carbon flows associated with benthic habitats, specifically macroalgae, using a combination
of in situ and laboratory approaches.

Keywords: marine biodiversity, carbon cycling, ecological stability, macrophytes, primary
productivity

Maija Peltola

Maija Peltola

Postdoc
Aerosol-Climate Feedbacks

Institute of Atmospheric and Earth System Research, University of Helsinki

I study how chemical emissions from the sea surface can react in the atmosphere and form new aerosol particles, which are important for the Earth’s radiative balance and climate. In my PhD, I studied these phenomena in coastal and open ocean environments in New Zealand and I am looking forward to discovering how different the Baltic Sea is.


Keywords: new particle formation, aerosol particles, cloud condensation nuclei, biogenic emissions, chemical ionization mass spectrometry, coastal, marine

Markku Kulmala

Markku Kulmala

Professor
Aerosol-Climate Feedbacks

Institute of Atmospheric and Earth System Research, University of Helsinki

My research interest includes earth surface – atmosphere interactions and feedbacks, atmospheric chemistry and physics, atmospheric aerosols, new particle formation and their growth, climate change and air quality. The backbone of my research is comprehensive, longterm observations. In CoastClim I will utilise our expertise to establish Coastal SMEAR station in Tvärminne.


Keywords: climate change, earth surface – atmosphere interactions and feedbacks, atmospheric aerosols, trace gases, clusters, cloud microphysics, coastal environment

Matthew Salter - Coastclim

Matthew Salter

Researcher
Aerosol-Climate Feedbacks

Department of Environmental Science & and Bolin Centre, Stockholm University

I am a marine biogeochemist/aerosol physicist and a theme throughout my research career has been the interaction between the surface ocean and the atmosphere. More specifically, I am interested in the emission of matter from the oceans, in the form of sea spray aerosols (SSA), and how these aerosols can impact climate and transport pollutants.


Within the CoastClim project I am responsible for establishing the air-sea interaction laboratory at the Askö laboratory. This facility will build upon my expertise in the laboratory generation of SSA using state-of-the-art simulation chambers with a view to investigating the links between marine biodiversity, biogeochemistry and SSA production and properties within the Baltic Sea.


Keywords: Sea spray aerosol, sea surface microlayer, volatile organic carbon, Persistent organic pollutants, surfactants.

Mikael Ehn

Mikael Ehn

Professor
Aerosol-Climate Feedbacks

Institute of Atmospheric and Earth System Research, University of Helsinki

Volatile organic compounds are constantly emitted to the atmosphere from different ecosystems as well as anthropogenic processes. I study how these compounds oxidize in the atmosphere, with a particular focus on processes forming oxidation products of very low volatility, as these can contribute to particulate matter. These aerosol particles are important as they impact Earth’s radiation balance.


Keywords: volatile organic compounds, oxidation chemistry, chemical ionization mass spectrometry, aerosol particles

Märta Brunberg

Märta Brunberg

PhD Student
Pelagic Biogeochemistry

Tvärminne Zoological Station, University of Helsinki

My research interests are centred around greenhouse gases (GHG; CO₂, CH₄, and N₂O) in shallow coastal waters. More specifically, I am interested in sea-air fluxes and the production and consumption pathways of GHGs. I am currently working on high-resolution spatiotemporal measurements of greenhouse gases in shallow coastal waters.


Keywords: Greenhouse gas fluxes, carbon cycling, benthic-pelagic coupling, blue carbon, shallow coastal area

Nicholas-Xavier Geilfus

Nicolas-Xavier Geilfus

Researcher
Pelagic Biogeochemistry

Tvärminne Zoological Station, University of Helsinki

My research interest lies into understanding and quantifying the role of coastal marine environment as sink or source of greenhouse gases (GHG, i.e., CO2, CH4, N2O) to the atmosphere. Gas dynamic is investigated, in association with the highly heterogeneous coastal ecosystem, to determine the scale and drivers of changes in GHG concentrations. What are the key contributors to GHG exchanges with the atmosphere? How will those exchanges evolve in the future?

Keywords: carbon cycling, greenhouse gas fluxes, benthic-pelagic coupling, air-sea gas exchanges, ecosystem

Per Hedberg

Per Hedberg

Postdoc
Pelagic Ecology

Tvärminne Zoological Station, University of Helsinki

My research revolves mainly around the impacts of climate change on plankton ecology and the implications this has for species composition, carbon sequestration and the possibility of green house gas emissions. The research is mainly experiment based on a micro- to mesocosm scale and focused both on single species as well as the whole community. Other research interests include nutritional aspects of environmental change, such as trophic interactions and species-specific fatty acid composition. 

Keywords: plankton ecology, benthic-pelagic coupling, ecosystem functioning, carbon cycling, trophic interactions, experimental ecology. 

Roel Lammerant

Roel Lammerant

PhD Student
Benthic Ecology

Tvärminne Zoological Station, University of Helsinki

My research interests lie in functional ecology, biodiversity and ecosystem functioning with a focus on submerged vegetation. Currently, I´m focusing on the role of aquatic primary producer functional traits (i.e. root, rhizome and leaf) and the role of functional composition in the coastal carbon cycle in vegetated coastal environments across different temporal and spatial scales.


Keywords: marine biodiversity, carbon cycling, macrophyte ecology, functional traits, ecosystem functioning

Roseline C. Thakur

Roseline Thakur

Researcher
Aerosol-Climate Feedbacks

Institute of Atmospheric and Earth System Research, University of Helsinki

My research focuses on the role of emissions (inorganic and organic) from coastal and marine habitats in modifying the atmospheric chemistry and more particularly their impact on new particle formation (NPF), cloud condensation nuclei (CCN) and radiation budget in the atmosphere, integrating the role of meteorology in the entire dynamics. Currently, I am exploring the role of biogenic emissions from the Arctic coastal regions and arctic tundra on the new particle formation and eventually understanding the CCN and overall Cloud formation in Arctic could be impacted by biogenic-NPF.


Keywords: coastal, new particle formation, biogenic emissions, cloud condensation nuclei

Tina Elfwing

Tina Elfwing

Director at BSC
Communication & Policy Recommendation

Baltic Sea Centre, Stockholm University

My training is in marine ecotoxicology, and today as the Director of the Baltic Sea Centre, I facilitate the overall strategic partnership between Stockholm University and the University of Helsinki in the field of marine research. I have a particular interest in science communication, and I am leading the communication group at the Baltic Sea Centre that aims at conveying the right information at the right time and place to relevant decision makers. Thus, we translate important scientific CoastClim results into decision support and thereby assist management options regarding biodiversity and climate change issues in the coastal zone of the Baltic Sea.


Keywords: science communication, decision support, marine infrastructure, Askö field station

Picture of Tom Jilbert

Tom Jilbert

Associate Professor
Sediment Biogeochemistry

Department of Geosciences and Geography, University of Helsinki

My research focuses on biogeochemical processes in human-impacted aquatic systems, such as eutrophic coastal seas and freshwater lakes. Within CoastClim I am studying the coupled dynamics of carbon, nutrients and other elements in coastal sediments of the Baltic Sea.

Sediments are important reactors in which microbes transform elements from one form to another, controlling their eventual fate. For example, carbon can be buried in complex organic molecules that resist degradation, thus acting as a carbon sink, or converted to greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide and methane that escape to the atmosphere. We want to understand the controls on these processes to better predict carbon and nutrient cycling in the future.


Keywords: sediments, eutrophication, deoxygenation, nutrients, carbon, diagenesis

Affiliated Researchers:

Agnes Karlson
Camilla Lienart
Clio Hall 
Dana Hellmann 
Eero Asmala 
Elias Broman
Emil Rydin 
Fernando Jaramillo
Francisco Nascimento
Inga Koszalka
Iris Orizar
Ivan Rodil 
Joakim Hansen
Karl Attard 
Laura Kauppi
Leena Virta
Linda Kumblad
Mats Westerbom 
Norman Gobeler 
Saara Mäkelin 
Sofia Wikström