Research at the Archipelago Research Institute

The Archipelago Research Institute (ARI) has been operating on the island of Seili since 1964. It’s research and teaching activities focus mainly on multidisciplinary research in the Archipelago Sea and Baltic Sea region. Long-term monitoring and modelling of the marine environment are at the heart of our internationally renowned research. Research activities are, however, largely based on externally funded project research. For example, in the nanoplastic laboratory, we study the prevalence of nanoplastics in water bodies, especially in the Archipelago Sea. In addition, we have monitored the annual sedimentation of microplastics in the Halikon Bay for about six years. The ARI is part of a national (FINMARI) and European (EMBRC) marine research infrastructures. 

However, Seili's colourful history goes back much further, to the Bronze Age. Thanks to the unique nature, cultural heritage and long history of Seili, research into societies, history and culture plays an important role in the Institute's activities. The island's diversity offers good conditions for multidisciplinary research. In biological studies, ARI also has experience of biological terrestrial research, for example ticks. Researchers from various disciplines have studied the distribution of ticks, their living conditions and the pathogens they transmit, their presence in host animals and the parasitic species that live in ticks.

For visitors, we offer research and teaching support services. Researchers working at the ARI have access to laboratory facilities suitable for marine research methods, as well as equipment for actual marine research (boats, research vessel, various sampling and measuring equipment). The station is open all year round.

For up-to-date information on research and services, visit the institute's website (utu.fi/seili).