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The company
Akvaplan-niva offers a wide spectre of services including monitoring surveys and impact assessments for marine and freshwater environments, coastal zone management, arctic research and aquaculture consultancy and development. The company is specialised in offshore and arctic assessment and monitoring. It was the first Norwegian laboratory to fully implement accredited sampling and analyses according to NS/EN 45001. This accreditation will shortly be extended to include statistical treatment and interpretation of the analysed data. Akvaplan-niva works internationally and has carried out a large number of assignments for authorities, the petroleum and aquaculture industry, and other customers around the world. The company’s head office and laboratories are located the Polar Environmental Centre in Tromsø, Norway. Monitoring of off-shore petroleum activities
Environmental risk- and impact Assessments
In cooperation with Cordah Ltd, Akvaplan-niva has assessed the impacts of cutting piles on the British sector of the North Sea. The assessment included leakage of radioactive isotopes and associated environmental impacts. Akvaplan-niva has implemented standard environmental risk assessment tools, like e.g. the MIRA method, but also contributes actively to development of new procedures. For example, the company participated in the development of international and bilateral Norwegian - Russian guidelines for EIA of offshore developments and developed and adapted several risk assessment and resource mapping techniques for use in Arctic areas. In order to carry out EIA’s, Akvaplan-niva has undertaken a large number of field surveys and baseline literature studies covering topics such as fisheries, physical and biological natural resources, vulnerability assessments and information on other environmental parameters (biodiversity, contaminants, etc.). More information Akvaplan-niva has expertise and experience in addressing any environmental issue relating to the marine environment. For further information, please visit the company website or contact one of the following persons:
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Akvaplan-niva is an independent, private company providing consultancy and research in the environmental and aquaculture fields. Akvaplan-niva was founded in 1984. Its staff comprises 36 persons holding academic degrees within marine biology, chemistry, radio-ecology, statistics and technology. Akvaplan-niva is one of the major partners in the Polar Environmental Centre and works in tight cooperation with majority shareholder NIVA (Norwegian Institute of Water Research).
Since 1989, Akvaplan-niva has been a major participant in the environmental monitoring of the Norwegian offshore oil and gas exploitation. Through more than 50 field specific and regional surveys, we have collected samples at more than 2000 individual stations covering both shallow and deep-waters. Field sampling is carried out using standard van Veen grabs, gravity-, multi- and box-corers or imaging techniques (plain photography and SPI (Sediment Profile Imaging). The studies performed include baseline assessments and monitoring surveys of production fields and cutting piles. Also, on commission from OLF and SFT, Akvaplan-niva compiled a review of all regional monitoring studies carried out in the Norwegian sector in the period from 1996 to 1999.
Akvaplan-niva has undertaken environmental impact assessments (EIA) of offshore-related shipping, offshore pipeline construction, field development, production and decommissioning activities, and for a variety of coastal activities (sewage discharging, ship wrecks, aquaculture, road- and harbour construction, remediation of contaminated sites). The company also conducts regional and strategic EIA’s.
