Environment and petroleum research

The main focus is on understanding the long term effects of accidental oil discharges in the Arctic and developing biomonitoring tools. Topical areas are:

Experimental ecotoxicological research and biomonitoring
Sympagic (ice-associated), benthic, and pelagic arctic species
Food web interactions and petroleum ecotoxicology
Modern cold-climate research facility

Akvaplan-niva's ecotoxicological research activities address the environmental needs of the oil and gas industries engaged in off-shore oil exploration and production in the Norwegian and Russian Barents sectors. Most operational discharges are prohibited by the “zero discharge policy” established by the Norwegian government, thus our research efforts focus on improving knowledge of direct and indirect biological impacts of accidents (blow out, leakages, tanker accidents).

Additionally, we are developing biomonitoring tools to monitor the effectiveness of the zero discharge policy and to monitor ecosystem recovery following an acute discharge. Field activities are supported by modern laboratory facilities where we conduct controlled experimental ecotoxicology studies.

Our laboratory infrastructure includes a spacious temperature controlled climate room and analytical equipment consisting of UV/VIS spectrophotometer, spectrofluorometer L55, plate reader with injector, Gas Chromatography and rtPCR.

Project Highlights

Main collaborators of the Environment and Petroleum Research group

Norwegian Institute for Water Research
ARCTOS Network
IRIS-Akvamiljø
University of Bergen
Ancona University, Italy
Alaska Fisheries Science Center (NOAA), Juneau Auke Bay
Plymouth University, UK
Arcachon, France

Institute of Biology-Russian Academy of Science (Karelia, Russia)
Knipovich Polar Research Institute of Marine Fisheries and Oceanography (Russia)
Alfred Wegner Institute, Germany
Fisheries and Ocean Canada-Center for Offshore Oil and Gas Environmental Research
The Russian Research Institute on Marine Geology of St Petersburg
The Gubkin State University on Oil and Gas of Moscow

Contact for more information:

Lionel Camus or JoLynn Carroll

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