Monty Priede, Martin Solan, Ursula Witte, Graham Pierce, Phil Bagley
Oceanlab, located at Newburgh on the North Sea Coast, 20 km north of the main University campus, is a unique organisation specialising in exploration of the world's oceans using unmanned robot vehicles known as landers. The Oceanlab I building, commissioned in 2001, contains engineering laboratories, high pressure chambers, vibration tables, immersion tanks and all facilities needed to design, build and test deep-sea systems. Landers from the University of Aberdeen have recently set the world-record for a remotely-controlled dive to 10.5km depth in the Pacific Ocean recording remarkable videos of the world's deepest living creatures.
Staff and students based at Oceanlab undertake a wide range of research participating in, and leading projects in the Atlantic Ocean, Mediterranean Sea, Indian Ocean, Southern Ocean, Pacific Ocean as well as local work in the North Sea and the estuary of the River Ythan at Newburgh. A student from Oceanlab in 2008 announced the discovery of 6 new species of deep-sea fish from the Southern Indian Ocean. Oceanlab has developed a world wide reputation for innovative marine research.
Work has started on Oceanlab II which will be complementary to the technical facilities housed in Oceanlab I. It will provide fully networked office space for up to 35 persons. Specialised laboratory spaces will accommodate examination and sorting of preserved biological specimens (such as rare fish) and biogeochemical analyses. On the ground floor there will be a "Marine Environment Futures" research facility with controlled environment systems capable of simulating changes in temperature and atmospheric CO2expected over the next centuries.
Oceanlab occupies the site of the Culterty field station founded by Professor V.C. Wynne Edwards FRS in 1958. Located in an attractive rural environment overlooking the estuary of the River Ythan and the Forvie National Nature Reserve, this is a truly inspiring place to work.