The research station at Kristineberg is situated on the Gullmarsfjord, the largest and only true fjord in Sweden. The fjord is 30 km long with a maximum depth of 118 m and has been a natural reserve since 1983. Key features that make this important marine environment unique in Europe are: the excellent water quality with two rather distinct water-masses; brackish surface water originating from the Baltic and oceanic water from the North Sea at greater depths; a large number of habitats, resulting in a very high biodiversity and a unique fauna.

The marine station of Kristineberg (KCMRI) provides extensive culturing facilities allowing cultivation of a wide range of aquaculture species. These include small-large tanks and aquaria (5-80L) for experimental use available including both indoor and outdoor supplied with through-flow surface and deep saltwater. Ten climate control rooms with running (surface, deep) saltwater allowing the control of parameters including air-/water temperature, salinity, light, pH. Large wet laboratories are available for researchers, including cold rooms and freezer rooms. KCMRI: Eight fully equipped large dry laboratories, DNA lab, chemical lab, microscopy lab. Imaging facilities include Leica M²05 C Motorized Stereomicroscope with a Zeiss Axiocam 305 color connected to computer with Zeiss Zen microscope imaging software; Leitz DMRBE Fluorescence Light microscope with a Zeiss Axiocam 705 color connected to computer with Zeiss Zen microscope imaging software. Two large vessels (Oscar von Sydow, 12m & Alice, 12m), plus 4 smaller boats. Sampling equipment includes boxcores, Grabs, dredges, trawls, plankton nets, ROV for videorecords and also for picking samples using a robotic arm. It has a DNA lab equipped for DNA extraction and library preps, including control devices for DNA quality checks. It has large wet laboratories for students and/or researchers, including cold rooms and freezer rooms. Extensive scientific diving services are offered all year round. Visitors can also access long-term datasets. Long-term temperature and salinity time series (not quality controlled), plankton composition (https://sharkweb.smhi.se). Extensive genomic data for model organisms (https://www.gu.se/cemeb-marin-evolutionsbiologi). Genetic monitoring timeline for hard bottom since 2018 (www.arms-mbon.eu). Extensive ROV footage available from 1996. Long term monthly monitoring at 3 stations (BroA, Släggö and Alsbäck) including plankton (abundance, species composition, carbon content), primary productivity, chlorophyll, and physico- (salinity, temperature, turbidity) and chemical parameters (NH4, NO3, NO2, PO4, O2). All data are available at: https://sharkweb.smhi.se/. KCMRI weather station collecting data on air (temperature, atmospheric pressure, wind, humidity, precipitation) and water (sea level, temperature, salinity). All data are available at: https://www.weather.mi.gu.se/kristineberg/en/. Historical species observation data (1890-recent) available through www.sbdi.se and https://artportalen.se/

Services:

The station has documented expertise in collecting and culturing a wide range of aquaculture species including seaweeds (Ulva spp, Saccharina latissima), Oysters (Ostrea edulis, Magallana gigas), Sea urchins (Echinus esculentus), sea cucumber (Parastichopus tremulus). Many other species are easily accessible in the vicinity of the marine stations, including mussels (Mytilus edulis), lobsters (Homars gammarus, Nephrops norvegicus), shrimps (Pandalus borealis), and large variety of fish. Local expertise includes world class research on global change biology, ecosystem restoration, and sustainable aquaculture (multi-trophic aquaculture, blue food). Both marine stations are visited by hundreds of international guests every year.

Support offered:

The technical staff will be available to the guest scientists. This includes support for sampling (ship crew), laboratory set-up, specific expertise in the use of equipment (e.g. microscopes). Help will also be provided for the logistics (travelling, accommodation, meals, shipment of material and samples) by a local coordinator and the reception staff. Guest scientists will also be provided with office space, access to the internet, and a library service. Both stations have small libraries with monographs, class collections of the most useful field guides covering all marine groups of organisms. Central university online library services are available.

Modality of access:

Each project will be allocated resources for 1 to 2 scientists for a duration of 30 days per person (max of 60 days per project). Ship time will be allocated on a project basis for a maximum of 12h per project. Unit of access will include access to the facilities and technical staff (bench fees), accommodation and full board.