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Environmental chemistry

We have leading international expertise in radioecology and environmental chemistry. Our focus is on environmental consequences of inorganic and radioactive pollutants, arising from diverse sources of emissions, their transport in the environment and biological uptake, their effects on biota and for risk and impact assessments.

  • About 50 people. 
  • Cirka 15 PhD candidates. 
  • NMBU's knowledge centre for environmental chemistry, radio ecology, radio chemistry and analytical chemistry
  • Co-responsible for NMBU's study programs within environmental sciences, nuclear sciences and chemistry

Professor Lindis Skipperud is section leader.

  • Our aims

    We study the harmful effects of inorganic and radioactive pollutants, as well as the impact of on the environment, organisms within the environment and ecosystems as a whole, in order to improve the protection of people, ecosystems and the environment in general.

    This currently includes holistic basic research on sources and source term, transfer in ecosystems and biological uptake, effects on, and responses of, different biological species. This extends to the assessment of risk and impact, including social aspects, from both natural and man-made sources of pollution in combination with other stressors.

    The section has, via almost 10 years with CERAD SFF - Centre for Environmental Radioactivity, a center of excellence, high competence and specially developed tools and methods for handling uncertainties in risk assessment. A more accurate risk assessment from inorganic and radioactive substances will greatly help to manage and reduce the risk from pollutants in the environment.

  • What we do
    • We characterise radionuclides and inorganic compounds released from different sources, under different release scenarios. This will enable modelling of substances' dispersion in air and water and further transfer in the environment.
    • We are quantifying how chemical species formation, other pollutants, climate conditions and biological factors affect the transfer of radionuclides through the ecosystems found throughout the Nordic environment, leading to improved modelling of radionuclide transport in such environments and ecosystems.
    • We aim to identify responses induced in biota exposed to low radiation doses, in combination with other stress factors such as UV radiation, metals and antioxidant deficiency, under varying climatic conditions.
    • Our aim is to evaluate and improve the assessment of environmental and social impact and risk from radiation exposure and pollution, and to develop evidence-based decision criteria for nuclear preparedness and handling of radioactive substances and other pollutants.
    • Our research and teaching have brought us into international projects and fieldwork with many partners throughout the world. We also have low-dose irradiation facilities and advanced measurement methods and instruments within the section, and additionally collaborate with several other facilities, both nationally and internationally which include synchrotron imaging, and accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS).
  • Associated study programs
  • Associated centres
  • Permanent scientific staff

    For complete list, please clik on the link at the top right.