Scientific departments
	Physical Oceanography
	Marine Geology
	Marine Organic Biogeochemistry
	Biological Oceanography
	Marine Ecology
Large Projects
Research links

 

To contribute to the multidisciplinary research themes, NIOZ scientists work in five scientific departments:
Physical Oceanography		Department head: Dr. Hendrik van Aken
	The large-scale circulation as well as specific physical processes like tides, internal waves and turbulence are studied in the World Ocean, the North Sea and the Wadden Sea. In these studies use is made of hydrographic surveys by research vessels, monitoring of the ocean with moored instruments and remote sensing, instrumented commercial ships, and mathematical-physical analyses.
Marine Geology		Department head: Dr. Geert-Jan Brummer
	The dynamics of carbon and other elements involved in the production and consumption of organic matter are studied in the water column, at the sediment-water interface and in sediments. Past climate changes are reconstructed from sedimentary records. Advanced sea-going technology is used such as gas equilibrators, whole-core scanners and bottom-landers.
Marine Organic Biogeochemistry		Department head: Prof. Dr. Ir. Jaap Sinninghe Damsté
	The molecular analysis of natural organic matter in marine organisms and sediments offers another way to reconstruct natural climate changes in the past. The environmental fate and the impact of man-made organic compounds such as brominated flame retardants, PCBs is another research topic in this department.
Biological Oceanography		Department head: Dr. Marcel Veldhuis
	The functioning of the food web is studied in the open ocean and the North Sea during sea-going expeditions and at the institute by means of large experimental facilities and modeling. Particularly, the conditions for sustainable use of the ocean and the interactions between biodiversity and productivity are investigated.
Marine Ecology		Department head: Dr. Henk van der Veer
	Seasonal, interannual and even interdecadal changes in the Waddensea and North sea are closely monitored in long-term records of numbers, growth rates and compositions of benthic animals, fish and birds to investigate short and long term ecosystem changes. In addition intricate feeding relationships between waders, fish and benthic animals are investigated in the field and in large experimental facilities such as the new and unique wader facility.