Marine biology laboratory

In the marine biology laboratory of the Estonian Marine Institute, benthic (phyto- and zoobenthos) and plankton samples are analysed, chlorophyll a is measured, and analyses of marine litter are carried out.

The staff of the marine biology laboratory regularly participates in international accredited proficiency tests and internal and external quality control tests (e.g., SYKE, NMBAQC), having the best taxonomic knowledge of both benthos and plankton species in the field.

Modern research equipment is used in everyday research, mainly microscopes, binoculars, analytical precision scales, drying ovens, muffle ovens, spectrophotometer, climate chamber.

Analysing methods used in the marine biology laboratory meet the international standards (ICES, HELCOM COMBINE ja ISO standards).

Following biological methods are validated and accredited by Estonian Accreditation Centre (L179 ANNEX):

• determination of macrophytobenthos species composition and biomass;
• determination of macrozoobenthos species composition, abundance, and biomass;
• determination of mesozooplankton species composition, abundance, and biomass;
• determination of phytoplankton species composition, abundance, and biomass;
• determination of phytoplankton chlorophyll a.