Research sections

With its professional breadth, holistic approach and good analytical skills, NIVA, together with the subsidiaries Akvaplan-niva and NIVA Chile, are useful partners in research, consulting and investigation of issues related to the establishment, operation and further development of the aquaculture industry. 

The section for catchment biogeochemistry works to understand how various pollutants are spread in the environment and how they affect the water quality in rivers, lakes, and fjords. Our studies lay the foundation for and support political guidelines and improvements to reduce unwanted environmental impacts. 

The section covers all aspects of environmental hazards and risk assessments of chemicals. We are continuously developing new systems and improving existing methods, to better assess the effects of chemical substances in both freshwater and marine environments. 

 The section works with the unregulated chemicals. We are developing new sampling methods and analysis methods that make it possible to investigate whether they are present in the environment and, if so, where. 

NIVA has a broad research community that develops new knowledge about pollution. 

The Section for Environmental Informatics manages and quality assures NIVA's data and makes them available to NIVA's researchers. 

NIVA's sections on Freshwater Ecology have expertise in the monitoring and restoration of freshwater ecosystems and their biodiversity. We develop knowledge and understanding that provide a basis for applied, evidence-based freshwater management. 

NIVA's Section for International Environment and Development works with solutions to complex environmental problems locally, nationally, and globally. We work interdisciplinary, qualitatively, and quantitatively and we combine social science and natural science methods to create holistic analyses and solution proposals. 

The section contributes to increased understanding of how marine ecosystems are affected by human activities and how they should be managed. We are commissioned and cooperate with the public administration on the development of mapping and monitoring methods and tools for classifying environmental status in coastal areas. 

The section bridges fundamental knowledge and technology, industry, stakeholders, and consumers. 

The section employs observational, experimental, and modeling approaches to further our understanding of physical, chemical, biological, and biogeochemical processes and services of the marine environment. 

The section receives and handles approx. 15,000 samples/year which are partial deliveries in monitoring projects, research projects and other assignments led by researchers at NIVA. 

We deliver tailor-made solutions and facilities that enable NIVA's researchers to solve our clients' challenges in the best possible way. 

The section conducts research on topics that contribute to sustainable development of cities and towns, and infrastructure. We study the problems, processes and solutions for handling drinking water, wastewater, and storm water in urban areas, in a changing climate. 

The Water and Society section engages in research on the interactions between people and nature, and how different values and knowledge can be better integrated in environmental policy, regulation and management. Understanding these interactions is essential for relevant, inclusive and holistic water and environmental governance. 

We do chemical analyses of inorganic substances.