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Staff photo Karolina Eriksson

Karolina Eriksson

My focus is on modeling cyanobacterial blooms and nutrient dynamics in the Northern Baltic Sea, with an emphasis on sustainable development and societal preparedness for climate change.

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Affiliation
Location
KBC-Fysiologihuset, Linnaeus väg 6, A3 20 15 Umeå universitet, 901 87 Umeå
Affiliation
Affiliated as postdoctoral position at Umeå Marine Sciences Centre (UMF)
Location
-, Norrbyn 557, 905 71 HÖRNEFORS Umeå Marina Forskningscentrum, Norrbyn 557, 905 71 Hörnefors

I am a postdoctoral researcher passionate about creating sustainable solutions for societal and environmental challenges. My current work primarily focuses on species distribution modeling, studying cyanobacterial blooms and nutrient dynamics in the Northern Baltic Sea. Through this research, I aim to understand ecosystem responses to climate change and human activity, contributing to both scientific knowledge and practical solutions for mitigating environmental impacts.

During my PhD, I collaborated with the Swedish Defence Research Agency (FOI) to explore the microbial evolutionary concept of predation-resistant bacteria, several of whom can cause serious disease, focusing on the detection of these potentially pathogenic species in aquatic environments such as the Baltic Sea, lakes and in drinking water. This work laid the foundation for my current research into microbial occurrence, public health, and resource management of aquatic ecosystems.

A key aspect of my research has been exploring the impact of human activities on microbial dynamics in aquatic systems, particularly in relation to "brownification," where increased organic matter and humic substances affect water quality. Water browning is influenced by e.g. agricultural and forestry practices, as well as by precipitation (that is increasing due to climate change). My recent work investigates the associations between Legionella and humic substances, advancing our understanding of how potential waterborne pathogens are influenced by environmental drivers. This research also highlights how upstream land use could influence the prevalence of Legionella species downstream, emphasizing the critical links between human activity and waterborne pathogen dynamics.

My current research focuses on modeling the distribution of plankton species, particularly toxic cyanobacteria, in the Gulf of Bothnia. As cyanobacteria expand further into northern waters—likely due to shifts in nutrient status—this trend raises important questions for aquatic management, such as wastewater treatment practices. This research aims to better understand how rising phosphorus concentrations and increasing water browning, possibly influenced by surrounding forestry activities, are impacting the region's marine ecosystems. By applying multivariate statistical tools to available monitoring data, the project aims to develop ecological prediction models that can assess risks to biodiversity and ecosystem productivity, ultimately aiding future aquatic management to mitigate toxic cyanobacterial blooms.

I am committed to sustainable development and addressing global environmental challenges. My work aligns with several UN Sustainable Development Goals, including Climate Action, Life Below Water, and Clean Water and Sanitation, focusing on how ecosystems respond to climate change and the impacts of human activity on water quality and public health.

I am broadly interested in promoting ecological resilience and climate adaptation, this include e.g. systems that reduce waste and produce sustainable local food, preventing nutrient runoff to combat eutrophication, and developing green technologies for urban environments. With a background in plant biotechnology, microbial ecology, and marine ecosystems, I aim to contribute to interdisciplinary projects that promote ecological resilience, resource efficiency, and sustainable solutions for societal and environmental challenges.

Water Research, Elsevier 2024, Vol. 256
Ahlinder, Jon; Eriksson, Karolina Ida Anna; Hellmér, Maria; et al.
Umeå: Umeå University 2023
Eriksson, Karolina I. A.
Frontiers in Marine Science, Frontiers Media S.A. 2023, Vol. 9
Eriksson, Karolina Ida Anna; Ahlinder, Jon; Ramasamy, Kesava Priyan; et al.
Environmental Research, Elsevier 2023, Vol. 232
Ramasamy, Kesava Priyan; Brugel, Sonia; Eriksson, Karolina Ida Anna; et al.
Frontiers in Microbiology, Frontiers Media S.A. 2022, Vol. 13
Eriksson, Karolina I. A.; Thelaus, Johanna; Andersson, Agneta; et al.
FEMS Microbiology Ecology, Oxford University Press 2022, Vol. 98, (11)
Vass, Máté; Eriksson, Karolina; Carlsson-Graner, Ulla; et al.
Zhao, Li; Brugel, Sonia; Eriksson, Karolina I. A.; et al.

Research groups

Group member

Research projects

1 March 2022 until 29 February 2024
26 November 2018 until 26 November 2023