News

On November 8–9, Karelian Research Centre RAS hosted the international seminar “Cooperation on climate change research, environmental monitoring and modeling”. Its participants were specialists from the Northern Water Problems Institute (NWPI) KarRC RAS and Nanjing Institute of Geography and Limnology of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (NIGLAS CAS), whose delegation paid a working visit to Petrozavodsk. This is the first offline event organized under the Memorandum of Understanding the two organizations signed in 2022.

Karelian scientists briefed their colleagues from China on the structure of the institute, its main objects and research topics.The Northern Water Problems Institute KarRC RAS specializes in the studies of lake-river and marine systems of Northwest European Russia. The main research objects for NWPI KarRC RAS are the White Sea, lakes Onego and Ladoga, groundwater, lake-river systems and their catchments. Leveraging Ekolog and Poseidon research vessels helps to conduct research in an efficient and multifaceted manner.

During the seminar, researchers from Russia and China presented the topics of their studies to each other and identified the points where their scientific interests intersect.

– One thing we have in common is the objects of research - these are, first of all, lakes, estuarine areas - river/sea interface. As for the topics, the research areas of high relevance in both Russia and China are the consequences of climate change and pollution of water bodies, in particular, by microplastics or as a result of industrial activities, – told Alexey Tolstikov, Head of the Geography and Hydrology Laboratory at the Northern Water Problems Institute KarRC RAS.

The scientist remarked that despite the similarity of scientific interests, the methodology of studying certain issues in Karelia and China differs. The more valuable is the opportunity to cooperate and exchange expertise between the countries.

In particular, scientists from Nanjing showed interest in the methods of modeling-based water research. Researchers at the Northern Water Problems Institute and the Institute of Applied Mathematical Research KarRC RAS are currently developing the first numerical model of the White Sea ice ecology, and a system for climate modeling and forecasting in the Arctic at large. A group of scientists led by Chief Researcher at NWPI KarRC RAS, Corr. Academician Nikolai Filatov is creating an analytics platform for basic research on the ecosystem of Lake Onego and its catchment, one of its tasks being decision-making support under growing human pressure and climate change.

– We find it interesting that in China, research objects are considered at as many different levels as possible, starting from the molecular and genetic levels. The coverage of different types of objects throughout the country by research is impressive. Young scientists are actively involved in these activities, and collaboration with other countries is in place. These are all valuable factors for our interactions, – said Alexey Tolstikov.

In follow-up to the seminar, the parties agreed to formulate proposals for the first joint project in the near future. The plan is to launch it next year already.

Photos by V. Shvetsova, A. Tolstikov