Marine biomass as a nature-based solution to the eutrophication of the Baltic Sea

Background and goals

This project investigates the potential of harvesting marine biomass and refining it into products used on land to remove eutrophying nutrients from the sea, in accordance with the principles of a circular economy. The project builds on knowledge from Arcada’s international EU-funded Baltic Reed project and creates synergies with the ongoing EU-funded projects at Arcada, ReCreateBiobased and WAVE.

The long-term and concrete goals of the project Marine Biomass as a Nature-Based Solution to the Eutrophication of the Baltic Sea are three scientific articles and a doctoral dissertation, as well as the development of Arcada’s teaching in sustainability.

Objectives and benefits

By initiating doctoral studies, the doctoral candidate and Arcada will deepen their focus on strategically important sustainability aspects related to the eutrophication of the Baltic Sea. Furthermore, all knowledge generated will be applied within education at Arcada, as the applicant is already permanently employed there. The most concrete contribution to teaching is the opportunity for students to write their theses within this project, with the doctoral candidate acting as supervisor or examiner.
The project will also give Arcada important visibility in strategically significant sustainability work through Arcada’s scientific blogs and Arcada Working Papers. The first scientific article of the doctoral studies will be a literature review on marine biomass as a nature-based solution. The two subsequent articles will further evaluate marine biomass as a nature-based solution in practical terms. This will be carried out, for example, using Life Cycle Assessment, Material Flow Analysis, or case studies from Arcada.
Arcada already collaborates with three innovative start-up companies in the field: Origin by Ocean, Under Ytan, and Nemo Seafarms. These collaborations will be further strengthened during the course of the project, both in terms of education and research.

Results

The long-term and concrete goals of the project Marine Biomass as a Nature-Based Solution to the Eutrophication of the Baltic Sea are three scientific articles and a doctoral dissertation. This will result in one additional doctoral-level colleague at Arcada within Arcada’s strategic focus area: Sustainability.
During the course of the project, many students will be able to participate in the project in the form of thesis work. The knowledge generated will also be utilized in study modules, especially within the Degree Programme Mechanical and Sustainable Engineering. Arcada’s Centre for Sustainability and Technology will also directly benefit from this project, as the doctoral candidate is already employed there as a laboratory engineer.
Collaboration between Arcada and Åbo Akademi will also be strengthened through this project, since the doctoral studies will be carried out at Åbo Akademi. The project will be actively followed up through Arcada’s scientific blogs, Arcada Working Papers, and Arcada Publications.
As the applicant works closely with the international EU-funded projects ReCreateBiobased and WAVE, the project Marine Biomass as a Nature-Based Solution to the Eutrophication of the Baltic Sea will also have a clear international, particularly Nordic, dimension.

Societal impact

The project aims to increase sustainability in society through research on nature-based solutions. Human impact on the environment must become positive if we are to continue living on this planet. Nature-based solutions are a step in that direction.
The project will provide new information on how eutrophication of the Baltic Sea, loss of biodiversity, and climate change can be mitigated.

Abstract

This project investigates the potential of harvesting marine biomass and refining it into products used on land to remove eutrophying nutrients from the sea, in accordance with the principles of a circular economy. The project builds on knowledge from Arcada’s international EU-funded Baltic Reed project and creates synergies with the ongoing EU-funded projects at Arcada, ReCreateBiobased and WAVE.
The long-term and concrete goals of the project Marine Biomass as a Nature-Based Solution to the Eutrophication of the Baltic Sea are three scientific articles and a doctoral dissertation, as well as the development of Arcada’s teaching in sustainability.

Sustainable development goals