The pelagic marine monitoring subprogramme is a part of the national marine monitoring programme. The goal is to demonstrate, by hydrographic, chemical and biological measurements, mainly the effects of eutrophication. Also oxygen conditions and the presence of hydrogen sulphide are mapped.
Many different biological, hydrographic and chemical parameters are measured. The subprogramme is carried out along all Sweden's coasts and is funded by the Swedish Agency for Marine and Water Management. Umeå Marine Sciences Centre (UMF) has an assignment which covers Bottenviken and the North Sea.
Sampling all year round
UMF performs approximately 25 sampling expeditions per year in this subprogramme. The expeditions are carried out throughout the year with the Coast Guard's vessel KBV 181, which has a modern laboratory on board. In winter, snowmobiles, hovercrafts and helicopters are also used.
The duration of each expedition is one to five days. The number of sampling stations varies from one to nine. At each station, measurements are made at four to ten different depths.
