The Educational and Research Station “Belomorskaia” of Saint Petersburg State University is located near the mouth of the river Keret and not far from the open sea. Therefore, in the vicinity of the station there are a wide range of biotopes differing by hydrological regime, salinity and sediment properties. This gives an opportunity to work with various benthic and pelagic communities  that coexist in a relatively small area.

Field courses on Biodiversity (algae, lichens, fungi, invertebrates and fish), Ecology and Environmental Science (hydrobiology) for undergraduate students (years 1 and 2) are held at the station. As well as special field courses for BSc (year 3) and MSc students of the departments of Ichthyology and Hydrobiology, Invertebrate Zoology, Embryology, Oceanography, Physics of Earth, Land Hydrology.

In the vicinity of the Educational and Research Station  is an autonomous station for abiotic data that constantly reads temperature at various depths (more information here: http://aphrodite.hetwaterleven.com/)

Location

N 66°17′21″
E 33°39′41″
Republiс of Karelia, Louhi region, Srednii Island. White Sea, Chupa Bay

How to get to the station

The station is located on the island and can only be reached by sea. On Tuesdays and Fridays a scheduled vessel trip connects the station and a pier in Chupa settlement. By prior arrangement  individual transfers to and from Chupa, Chkalovsky, Keret, Pulonga are also possible. In any case please inform us by emailing sovet.mbs@gmail.com as soon as possible about the date and time of your arrival and departure.

If you want to work on your research project at the station; teach or take a course here; bring a group for a guided tour; or visit as a journalist – please get in touch – sovet.mbs@gmail.com. The package of services and their total cost are discussed individually. Below we list major resources available at the station.

Services

Electricity (200 kW total) and fresh water supply (plumbing) are provided 24/7. The active working season at the station is June to mid-September.

Boat transport

Two vessels are available for short cruises that are scheduled for about 2 weeks ahead. Student groups have priority, but you may also join their trip if there are free places on the vessel and instructors have no objections.

Motor boats can be provided by prior arrangement and if available. Rowing boats can be used to move around within the vicinity of the station. Student groups also have priority in using them.

Research

We provide bench space in the laboratory equipped with fridges and freezers, compound microscopes and binocular loupes, trays for sorting samples and other instruments and sampling devices. Cold room and tanks with sea water flow are available.  We recommend preparing a list of your research requirements and planning what you should best bring along. Assistance in sampling and servicing the experimental setups is available.

Education

There are 4 classrooms at the station for groups up to 12 students. They are equipped with blackboards, fridges and marine aquaria for invertebrates. We can provide students with microscopes, instruments, sampling devices, handbooks. Any of the station’s resources can be used for educational purposes.

We also offer support in teaching courses on invertebrate zoology, hydrobiology, ichtyology, phycology, developmental biology.

Guided tours

If you are interested in guided tours options (around the station, around the island, to the old Keret village, to the marine station “Kartesh” of the Zoological Institute (Russian Academy of Sciences); or other zoological or hydrobiological excursions, please let us know.

Life at the station

Accommodation is in wooden houses with heating and fresh water supply, shower* and basic kitchen appliances*. Toilets are outside.

You may camp at the station, and we can provide you with electricity and a fresh water supply.

A washing machine is available for visitors. .

The station is covered by mobile networks of MegaFon, MTS and Tele2 providers. Signal strength differs in different parts of the island. In Chupa you can buy local (Republic of Karelia) sim cards to avoid roaming prices. Usually the signal is strong enough to use mobile internet.

* – not in all accommodation options.

Food

At the station we organise meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner) according to the timetable. A snack pack will be prepared if you inform us in advance about missing the meal time. Meals are available for a limited number of people, so please inquire about your travel dates.

In many houses at the station it is possible to cook. The closest shops are in Chupa.

Medical services

There is no doctor at the station. If necessary you will be delivered to the closest hospital located in Chupa. Please bring all the medicines you need. The closest pharmacy  is also in Chupa.

For non-Russian researchers

It is possible for St Petersburg University  to provide you with an invitation letter to apply for a visa; and appropriate registration in Russia. Please get in touch at least 3 months before the intended date of travel.

Contact for more information: sovet.mbs@gmail.com