Important information for potential applicants to our open Transnational Access Call. Please register your application early and read this information.
Utö Marine and Atmospheric Research Station
Infrastructure Profile
Infrastructure Provider
Location
Utö Island, Archipelago Sea, Baltic Sea
Organisation & Address
Finnish Meteorological Institute, Erik Palménin aukio 1, 00560 Helsinki
Link to Infrastructure Schedules (if applicable)
NA
Normal Area of Operation
The outer edge of the Archipelago Sea in the Baltic Sea
Maximum Number of Days Available
100 days
Scientists’ Travel and Logistics (T&L) Budget Available
€ 6,000.00
Overview
Depth of Operation
0 – 80 m
Power Supply
NA
Communication System(s)
NA
Dimensions
NA
Sensors Available, Scientific Payload etc.
Surface waves, SST
Flow-through system: Temperature, Salinity, pCO2, chlorophyll, turbidity
Eddy covariance fluxes: fCO2
Atmospheric observations: O2, CH4 concentrations, aerosol particles, wind speed, PAR
Electromagnetic signal propagation observations
Scientific and Technical Specifications
General Information
Utö at the outer edge of the Archipelago Sea in the Baltic Sea, is one of the main observing sites of FMI. The Island can be reached 4 times a week by free public transport and has a hotel with conference facilities. Marine observations are mainly scientists-operated, with strong support from FMI observing services unit.
Infrastructure includes the following observations:
- Surface waves and temperature; temperature, salinity, turbidity, chlorophyll, O2 (-5 m); Ice cover; pCO2; sea-atmosphere CO2-flux
- Temperature, salinity, O2, nutrient profiles (-80 m to surface) during sea-ice free period
- A continuous water flow from the sea (possible to install new instruments utilizing ~ 5 lpm sea water/instrument)
- Atmospheric CO2 and CH4 concentrations
- Meteorology: wind speed and direction, temperature, PAR, diffuse and global radiation, weather camera; atmospheric trace gases; physical, chemical and optical properties of aerosol particles
- Electromagnetic signal propagation observations
Utö Transnational Access (TA) offers possibilities to use data of the available sensors during the period of TA, install additional sensors by users and gather water samples for instruments (technical, safety and security limitations allowing). FMI has a part-time technician at the site who can help in weekly maintenance 1-2 hours/week (TA-users must provide a detailed SOP describing the maintenance procedures).
Depending on the parameter, time-step ranges from 1-5 min to hourly averaged values. This can be adjusted to fit the scientific purpose.
Part of data are displayed on Utö station webpage in csv (comma-separated values) plain text format. Large datasets can be distributed through other channels.
Support offered to AQUARIUS users
FMI operating team will provide necessary technical support for installation and maintenance, data processing and transmission, as well as supporting data from other observations at Utö station.
The access to on-site observations does not require the presence of the user group at Utö station. However, if the project involves testing instruments or making innovative multidisciplinary integrated observations, users could bring their own measuring system to be installed/tested with the help of FMI technician.
Measurements performed at Utö Research station are available online in near-real time from the Research Station webpage. Oceanographic and meteorological observations since 1889 are also available as time series datasets. Real-time onsite data can be transmitted through permanent optical fibre or 3G connection.
Infrastructure Availability and Contact Details
Year 2025
All year round although some parameters may be measured only during the sea-ice free season. Due to limited space, exact periods must be coordinated with other users / field campaigns.
Year 2026
All year round although some parameters may be measured only during the sea-ice free season. Due to limited space, exact periods must be coordinated with other users / field campaigns.
Year 2027
All year round although some parameters may be measured only during the sea-ice free season. Due to limited space, exact periods must be coordinated with other users / field campaigns.
Contact email for applicants to discuss the initial feasibility of their work while they prepare their application
ivia.closset[at]fmi.fi, lauri.laakso[at]fmi.fi
Certification and Clearance Requirements
Diplomatic clearances or permits required for area or type of activity
All (physical) visits to the installation will be done under guidance of FMI support team with a prior security screening by the Finnish Defence Forces