Our field of research Oceanography couples physical processes in the ocean with biogeochemical and other environmental processes. A lot of the research is focused on seas surrounding Sweden - Baltic Sea, Kattegat and Skagerrak - but increasing interest is also paid to the Arctic Ocean and the North Sea.
Our main areas of research are:
Ocean Climate Research
Operational Oceanographic Research
Research on Oceanographic Processes
The results from the oceanographic research at SMHI are used in numerous applications and products that are of added value for governmental institutes, county administrative boards and the public. Whether it is the Coast Guards oil spill or search and rescue response actions, Maritime Administrations icebreaking services or Regional Marine Authorities issuing algal bloom warnings, they all rely on information based on SMHIs oceanographic products. Other important areas were the results can be used are how to best fulfill the national environmental objectives, planning of adaptation and mitigation of future climate and environmental change in the marine system or as a decision making tool for water management.
Our main tools are numerical models, which are used to make forecasts, study processes or predict effects on marine environmental problems in the future. We also participate in projects developing marine monitoring systems and field experiments studying the Baltic Sea ice conditions.
Co-operation with other research groups on a national as well as an international level is frequently, and the oceanographic research group at the SMHI participates in numerous research projects.