About IIM

The Institute of Marine Research (IIM-CSIC) is one of the main marine research centers in the Iberian Peninsula. Looking at the Atlantic from Vigo, a city with a strong connection with the sea, the IIM-CSIC faces the challenge of increasing our knowledge about the ocean, from its physical characteristics to the food we take from it and the processes that bind the whole system together.

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Research

Research is at the core of the Institute of Marine Research's work. Working along 3 Core Research Themes, which intertwine and connect to each other, the researchers and technicians at the IIM-CSIC look for answers within 9 different research lines.

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Innovation

While our research provides us with new knowledge about our sea and shores, at the Institute of Marine Research we are committed to go a step further, creating new collaborations with the industry and other economic activities, be they already 'established' industries, such as fisheries or aquaculture, or 'emerging' ones, such as ocean observation.

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Society

Science is not complete until it is shared with society. As a public research institution, the IIM understands that its commitment is with society, fostering a two-way relationship with its surrounding community and an open perspective on science.

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Work & Study

Marine scientists, lab technicians, biologists, chemists and engineers, but also economists, lawyers or communicators (both working and in training) contribute to the interdisciplinary nature of our center. With more than 200 employees, the IIM-CSIC is a large community of people who work together for the sake of science, knowledge and sustainability.

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News & Events

Do you want to be aware of the latest at the IIM? The Institute has a whole team involved in communication & outreach, sharing all news that arise and organizing events to reach all sectors of society: from other peers working in science to children in schools or our neighbors from Vigo.

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Oceanic and Coastal Systems

Understanding Ocean and Life interactions

Our oceans, seas and coastal areas are fundamental to life on Earth: they provide the oxygen for every second breath we take, regulate the Earth’s climate and sustain food sources and biodiversity. This mainly stems from the coupling--the interactions—of physical and geochemical processes with biological ones. 

At the IIM, we investigate marine biogeochemical cycles because they are subject to metabolic processes within organisms, geochemical reactions and transport by currents, thus connecting biological dynamics to geochemical and physical ones. For example, phytoplankton, through its photosynthetic pigments, fixes CO2, releases O2, and uses nutrients to grow. Therefore, phytoplankton is linked to biogeochemical cycles, the fate of organic matter and oceanographic conditions. Conversely, this biological CO2 capture reduces the greenhouse effect, therefore mitigating the Climate Change that is altering oceanographic conditions. 

We are eager to gain a deeper understanding of these types of complex interactions through which ocean and life are coupled, such as the productivity of marine systems, larval dispersion, spatio-temporal distribution of species and resource availability.

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