Microplastics lab
NIVA has around 50 scientists working on plastic pollution, with microplastics being a key focus for many of them. At the heart of our work is our state-of-the-art microplastics laboratory, where we develop and validate analytical methods, conduct monitoring programs, and participate in international research projects.
Our laboratory follows internal guidelines for a wide range of sample matrices, including water, biota, sediment, wastewater sludge, wastewater, drinking water, snow, urban runoff, and tire particle-rich matrices. Environmental samples are processed under strict procedures to prevent and control contamination risks, resulting in particles collected on filters for optical analysis, chemical characterization, and quantification using both automated and manual µFTIR techniques. Additionally, we can quantify the mass of plastic, including tire wear particles, using PYR-GC/MS or mathematical models based on size distribution and µFTIR data.
NIVA's methods are widely used in microplastic research and we contribute actively to international harmonization processes and standard development, e.g. through the Arctic Monitoring & Assessment Programme (AMAP), the EU Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD), the OSPAR Convention for the Protection of the Marine Environment of the North-East Atlantic, and the International Organization for Standardization (ISO).
Our strict contamination control procedures, combined with regular validation tests, ensure high-quality, reliable results with well-defined estimates of variation and uncertainty.
NIVA leads or participates in numerous microplastic research projects and is actively involved in global scientific networks.
Contact us to learn more about our work and what we can offer.
