AU-researcher receives prestigious award for outstanding marine research
Professor Jacob Carstensen from the Department of Ecoscience at Aarhus University has been awarded the "Björn Carlsons Östersjöpris" for playing a crucial role in in shaping key research on eutrophication, water quality, hypoxia, and underlying biogeochemical processes in the Baltic Sea.
Björn Carlson's Östersjöpris was established in 2021 by "Björn Carlson's Östersjöstiftelse" to inspire further work for a healthier Baltic Sea. The recipients of the award in 2023 are Jacob Carstensen, Professor of Marine System Management at the Department of Ecoscience, Aarhus University, Denmark and Daniel Conley, Professor of Biogeochemistry, Department of Geology, Lund University, Sweden.
In their research, Professors Carstensen and Conley have combined expertise from different fields such as environmental statistics, biogeochemistry, ecology and marine biology in a pioneering way. This innovative collaboration has made it possible to understand the complex interactions between the different factors influencing eutrophication and hypoxia in the Baltic Sea.
"It is a great honour to receive this prestigious award and I hope that in the coming years we will be able to contribute with new knowledge and that our research approach inspires others to work together towards a cleaner and better functioning Baltic Sea", say Jacob Carstensen and Daniel Conley in agreement.
Direct impact on the Baltic Sea environment
Jacob Carstensen hopes that the prize will put more focus on the eutrophication problem in the Baltic Sea. However, Carstensen and Conley's work not only identifies the problems caused by eutrophication and hypoxia, but also provides solutions. Solutions that are widely communicated to stakeholders and policy makers. In this way, they have had a direct impact on the Baltic Sea environment and the implementation of action plans to improve the marine environment of the Baltic Sea.
"Receiving this award means that we can use the money for further studies of how different organisms affect nutrient flows in water and sediments. Specifically, this may involve more advanced experiments. But we cannot mitigate eutrophication without involving stakeholders, so it is important to continue to disseminate our knowledge to them as well as the general public," says Carstensen.
Mikkel Tamstorf, Head of Department at the Department of Ecoscience at Aarhus University, is pleased that Jacob Carstensen has been awarded the prestigious award:
"I am incredibly proud that Jacob, as one of our foremost researchers in the dynamics and environmental state of marine ecosystems, receives this prestigious award. Jacob, but also his many colleagues in our marine sections, fight daily to expand our knowledge of nature and the environment in the seas around us. Unfortunately, there are many and major environmental challenges for the marine environment, but the fact that Jacob receives this award gives a clear message that his and the rest of the department's great work for a better marine environment is appreciated," says the head of department.
On 26 September, Carstensen and Conley Björn will receive Carlson's Östersjöpris 2023 from HRH Crown Princess Victoria at the Grand Hotel in Stockholm. As recipients of the prize, they receive SEK 3 million to continue their work for a healthier Baltic Sea.