On Saturday, July 13, the Sea Festival will be celebrated in Liepāja. LHEI will participate with workshops about the sea environment
LHEI at Liepāja Sea Festival 2024
One of the greatest natural assets of Liepāja is the sea. In order to promote awareness on the biodiversity of the Baltic Sea coast, LHEI scientists invite to take part in educationl activities held at Liepāja Central Beach.
Activities will take place from 12.00-16.00 12.00 – 16.00 and participants will be able to explore the contents of a fishing net, revealing how the amazingly rich marine world can be experienced without wading deep into the water. After studying the shrimp and fish species found in the macroalgae washed up on the coast of Liepāja, the participants will set up coastal aquariums together with the scientists. Everyone will be able to see the fascinating underwater world of the Baltic Sea both in aquariums and under a microscope.
Marine exploration by engaging the senses will also take place in several themed workshops at the beach. You will be able to see and learn about deep-dwelling organisms, which today are considered relicts of the Baltic Sea. One of them is benthic isopod Saduria entomon, which inhabited the Baltic Sea when it was still a huge ice lake. On the other hand, many new species are also appearing here – various crab and clam species, which are gradually settling both on the coast and in the deep part of the Baltic sea.
Scientific diving suits and tools used by researchers to collect underwater samples will be available for viewing. Visitors to the workshops will also be able to find out what factors affect the quality of the marine environment and how scientists assess marine pollution. Visitors will be able to learn about the fate of plastics after they enter the aquatic environment, including ghost nets in the sea, and learn about microplastic pollution research methods.
During the event, it will also be possible to take a closer look at the Latvian mineral gypsum and, by playing exciting games, learn about its use for improving agricultural lands and protecting Latvian fresh waters and the Baltic Sea from the excessive pressure by nutrients, namely, phosphorus.
LHEI workshops will be located on the beach, look for “Jūras pētnieki” on the map: ej.uz/lhei_liepaja_2024 The full program of the Sea Festival is available here: https://www.liepaja.lv/jurassvetki2024
