MASRI

Science

Institute of Oceanology – IO-BAS

IO-BAS carries out basic and applied oceanographic research corresponding to the national priorities and the global developments.
The investigations, applied science and expert activities aim towards strategy elaboration for sustainable development and management of the Black Sea Ecosystem in compliance with the regional and European regulations, and implementing the ecosystem approach.
Priority disciplines: marine physics, chemistry, hydrology, climatology, geomorphology, geology, morphodynamics of the seafloor and coastal zone, marine biology and ecology, hydrodynamics and lithodynamics of the coastal zone and operational oceanography.

Main Research Areas

  • Study physical processes in the marine environment
  • Investigate the chemical composition dynamics of the marine and coastal waters, adjacent lakes and riverine waters
  • Explore the Black Sea biodiversity at the molecular, population, species, habitat and ecosystem levels
  • Advance the science base for ecosystem approach implementation in human activities management
  • Develop indicators and classification systems for ecological state assessment
  • Investigate features of geological structure of the Black sea coast, continental shelf and abyssal plain, lithology, stratigraphy, sedimentology of Quaternary deposits
  • Reconstruction of climate changes and sea level fluctuations during the Quaternary to predict global climate change
  • Investigate coastal and underwater archaeological sites
  • Investigate spatial and temporal distribution of methane hydrates in the Black Sea and possibilities for their commercial use.
  • Modern techniques and technologies for marine science research. Design, management and operation of marine observing infrastructure.
  • Operational oceanography. Collection, management and dissemination of oceanographic data and information

Marine Science in Service of society/ Public Benefits of the Marine Science

  • Monitoring and assessment of the ecological status of the marine environment in compliance with the European Directives
  • Development of the science base for designation and management of marine protected areas for biodiversity conservation in the Black Sea
  • Development of forecasting systems for coastal hazard (such as flooding and erosion) and their socio-economic impact on the coastal environment
  • Development of tools for long-term prediction of coastal risk and tests disaster risk reduction strategies
  • National Operational Marine Observing System (NOMOS) provides operational information for the purposes of marine science and industry
  • Fish stocks assessments and sustainable exploitation recommendations
  • Seabed Habitat Mapping and Classification
  • Environmental Impact Assessment Studies
  • Assessment of geological risk – earthquakes, landslides, erosion
  • Current information of geological risk and geophysical fields Investigation of maritime cultural heritage as national wealth for the benefit of the tourist industry
  • Monitoring of potentially toxic phytoplankton as early warning of ecological and human health hazard
  • National Oceanographic Data Centre (BGODC) processes, archives, and distributes oceanographic data to the scientific community and other users
Bulgarian Ship Hydrodynamics Centre at IMSETCHA-BAS (BSHC-BAS)
Scientific and Research Program of BSHC for the Period of Establishment of the MASRI 2019 – 2023
1. Projects 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023
1. Methods for increasing of energy effectiveness and improvement of operational qualities of ships
–  Propulsive qualities of unconventional vessels in specific operational conditions х х х
–  Analysis and numerical simulation of marine structure’s hydrodynamics х х
–  Study on hydro-acoustic noise by ship propeller operation х х х x
–  Development of an advanced method for propulsion of floating bodies х х х х x
–  Numerical and physical modelling of manoeuvring motion of ships in waves х х х
–  Numerical and physical modelling of submarine dynamics х х х x
–  Analysis of advanced methods and means for reduction of ship resistance х х x
2. Advanced hydrodynamic research of waterborne structures, aiming at increasing of their operational effectiveness in realistic environment
– Development and validation of numerical procedures for assessment of floating marine structure’s dynamics х х
– Theoretical and experimental research on converters of renewable marine energy х х х х x
– Statistical analysis of floating vessel’s behaviour in real operational conditions х х х
– Modelling of floods in coastal areas and river estuaries under climate change conditions х х x
– Research on the effectiveness of hybrid coast protection structures х х x
– Numerical and physical modelling of coastal engineering structures х х x
– Hydrodynamics of underwater structures for deep sea mining х х х x
– Numerical and physical modelling of active and passive wave absorbers х х х
– Research on structures for growth of aquacultures and bio-fuels х х х х
– Development of global concept for creation of floating engineering structures and urban complexes х х х
3. Aerodynamic research 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023
– Development of standard procedures for aerodynamic research of industrial structures х х х x
– CFD application for study of wind forces on spatial industrial, road and residential structures х х х x
4. Education and training 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023
– Lecture courses on Naval Architecture and Ocean Engineering delivered by BSHC specialists at the Naval Academy Varna, in Bulgarian and English х х х х х
– Lecture courses on Naval Architecture, delivered by BSHC specialists at the Technical University Varna, in Bulgarian and English х х х х х
– Short-term (1-2 weeks) and long-term (2-3 months) student internships and practices in the field of ship hydrodynamics for Bulgarian and foreign students х х х х х
– Supervision of diploma theses of students from the Naval Academy and  Technical University Varna х х х х х
– Supervision of PhD theses on  Naval Architecture, Fluid Mechanics and River and Sea Structures х х х х х
– Creation and operation of computerized and physical training simulators х х х х х
– Development of bi-lingual study materials for distant learning х х х х х
5. Publications and scientific conferences 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023
Scientific publications
– In international journals with impact-factor 3 5 6 6 8
– In Bulgarian journals 4 4 5 5 5
– Monographs 1 1
– Learning tools 1 2 4 2 3
Reports at scientific conferences
– International 5 5 6 7 10
– National, with international attendance 5 5 8 6 10