Research Centre for the Oceans and Human Health

The Research Centre for the Oceans and Human Health (H2O), situated in Shenzhen, China, is a satellite institution of the State Key Laboratory of Marine Environmental Health (SKLMEH) of City University of Hong Kong (CityU). Established to strengthen collaboration between Hong Kong and Mainland institutions, the Research Centre plays a leading role in scientific research on the marine environment in the Asia-Pacific Region. It provides a solid platform for interdisciplinary research, academic exchange and technology development in marine environmental science and human health.

The Centre supports coordinated and long-term research on marine pollution and related environmental-health challenges in the South China Sea, the Pearl River Estuary and the wider Greater Bay Area. Through collaboration with research institutions and government agencies, the Centre promotes the exchange of scientific knowledge and technologies, supports the training of young researchers and contributes to marine-environmental protection and sustainable development.

Major research areas:（1）Biogeochemistry of conventional and emerging pollutants in the South China Sea（2）Marine ecotoxicology of conventional pollutants and emerging chemicals（3）Ecological effects of microplastics and nanoplastics in aquatic organisms（4）Technology development for algal bloom control（5）Safety for seafood consumption and public health.

 H2O has developed with the support of City University of Hong Kong and the Shenzhen Municipal Government. To improve Shenzhen’s marine ecological environment and support the sustainable marine economy, the Shenzhen Key Laboratory for Sustainable Use of Marine Biodiversity (SUMB) was established in 2014 with the approval of the Shenzhen Science and Technology Innovation Commission.

Since then, H2O has continued to expand its research capacity and secure competitive research funding. In 2023, we received funding of RMB1.5 million under the Shenzhen Key Programme for a three-year research on ‘Pollution monitoring and ecological effects of microplastics and metals in Shenzhen estuary and coastal environments’. In 2024, we were awarded a five-year Key Programme grant of RMB2.3 million from the National Natural Science Foundation of China for research on the biokinetic behaviour and environmental toxicity of micro- and nanoplastics in marine organisms, with the project commencing in 2025.

Through its research, training and regional collaborations, H2O contributes scientific knowledge and practical solutions for monitoring marine pollution, assessing ecological and public-health risks, protecting marine ecosystems and promoting the sustainable use of marine resources.