Department of Environmental Protection

The aim of the Department of Environmental Protection is to provide environmental science studies at the University of Latvia and develop research in the field of environmental quality and climate change assessment, bioeconomy, ecotoxicology, nature protection and environmental education. The academic staff of the department ensures the study process in environmental science bachelor's, master's and doctoral study programs, as well as are involved in teaching study courses in other study programs implemented at the University of Latvia.

Academic staff
Māris Kļaviņš, professor, Dr.habil.chem., head of the the Environmental science studies department
Gunta Spriņģe, associate professor, Dr.biol.
Inese Silamiķele, assistant professor, Dr.geogr.
Juris Aigars assistant professor, Dr.geogr.
Jānis Ventiņš assistant professor, Dr. biol.
Oskars Purmalis assistant professor, Dr.geogr. Head of the Environmental Technology Laboratory
Linda Ansone-Bērtiņa researcher, Dr.chem. Head of the Environmental chemistry laboratory
Linda Dobkeviča pētniece, Dr.chem. Head of the Ground and soil chemical research laboratory
Linards Kļaviņš, research assistant, Ph. D. Head of Forest and Water Research Laboratory "Forest and Water Research Center of National Significance".
Jānis Krūmiņš, leading researcher, Dr.geogr.
Jorens Kviesis,  leading researcher, Dr.chem.
Zane Vinceviča-Gaile, leading researcher, Dr.chem.
Rūta Ozola-Davidāne, researcher, Dr.geogr.
Karina Stankēviča,  researcher, Dr.geogr.
Vaira Obuka, acting researcher, Dr.geogr.
Lauris Arbidāns, research assistant, Master of Science.
Mārcis Mežulis, research assistant, Master of Science.

PhD students
Kristaps Auziņš "Analysis of the soil of oak groves and its influencing factors" Leader: Dr.geogr. Olgerts Nikodemus

Dārta Kaupe "Transformation of mesotrophic forests in urban and natural or semi-natural environment" Leaders: Dr.hab.geogr. Māris Laiviņš (Latvian State Forestry Institute "Silava"), Dr. geogr. Agrita Briede

Ilze Kārkliņa "Investigation of the effect of forest soil amendment with nitrogen and wood ash on the ecological quality of water" Leader: Dr. silv., Andis Lazdiņš (Latvian State Forestry Institute "Silava")

Ingrīda Krīgere "Evaluation of Latvian bogs and peatlands from the socio-economic and environmental aspect, their national importance, sustainable management and management" Leader: Dr.habil.chem. Maris Klavins

Ineta Liepiņa "The role of heterocyte-forming and unicellular diazotrophs in the nitrogen budget of the Gulf of Riga" Leader: Dr. geogr. Juris Aigars

Raitis Melņiks "Prognosis model of reclamation ditch functionality and impact on GHG emissions for organic soils in Latvia" Leader: Dr. health Andis Lazdiņš (Latvian State Forestry Institute "Silava")

Aiga Salmiņa "Use of local resources for bioeconomy: composites of biologically active natural products and clay minerals and solutions for their use". Manager: Dr.habil.chem. Maris Kļaviņš

Post-doctoral students
Oskars Purmalis Ph. D. Tēma ” Invazīvās sugas kā potenciāls bioekonomikai”

Research directions

 - Composition of Latvian surface waters, biological diversity, water recultivation methods, wastewater treatment technologies.

- Regularities of peat functioning, changes after the ice age, anthropogenic effects on biological diversity, solutions for mire restoration.

- Impact of climate change on environmental resources, biological diversity. Aspects of adaptation to climate change, especially impacts on land use, ecosystem services: participation in the creation of Latvia's climate policy, solutions for moving towards climate neutrality.

- The diversity of Latvia's landscapes and nature as a resource for ensuring the sustainable development of the territory.

- Environmental education, climate education.

Scientific projects

ERDF project "Vaccinium berry processing: "green" technologies and innovative, pharmacologically characterized products for biopharmaceuticals (BerriesPro)" (leader Prof. M. Kļaviņš) (2018-2020)

ERDF project. "Development of variable fuel gasification process for solid waste recycling" (leader Prof. M. Kļaviņš) (2017-2020)

HORIZON 2020 project eLTER "European Long-Term Ecosystem and socio-ecological Research Infrastructure" (Latvian coordinator Prof. V.Melecis) (2015-2019)

HORIZON 2020 project eLTER PLUS "European long-term ecosystem, critical zone and socio-ecological systems research infrastructure PLUS" (Latvian coordinator Prof. V.Melecis) (2020-2025) HORIZON2020 project eLTER PPP "eLTER Preparatory Phase Project" (Latvian coordinator Prof. V.Melecis (2020-2025)

LZP-2018/1-0009 "Property, structure and modification of peat humic substances" (supervisor Prof. M. Kļaviņš (2018-2021)

Contract work VAPO Oy (Finland) "Humic matter extraction from peat and isolation of humic and fulvic acids as commercial products" (leader Prof. M. Kļaviņš (2017-2018)

LU effective cooperation project "Studies of the environment affected by bog fires and the intensity of bog regeneration" (led by doc. I. Silamiķele (2019 - 2021)

Participation in professional organisations
International Long Term Ecological Research network (ILTER)
Europe Long Term Ecosystem Research network (Europe LTER)
International Long Term Ecological Research network (ILTER)
Europe Long Term Ecosystem Research network (Europe LTER)
Latvian Botanical Society
Latvian Entomological Society
Latvian Geographical Society
European Union of geosciences
Soil Science Society of Latvia
Latvia National peat society

International cooperation partners      

ILTER (International Long Term Ecological Research) dalībvalstu nacionālie ilgtermiņa pētījumu tīkli (43)
HORIZONT 2020 partners from Universities and research institutions of 28 European countries and Izrael
FORTHEM consortium
Tallinn University of Technology (Estonia)
Helsinki University (Finland)
Siauliai University (Lithuania)
Medical University of Vienna (Austria)
Estonian University of Life Sciences (Estonia)
Linnaeus University (Sweden)
National Antarctic Scientific Centre of Ukraine (NASC) (Ukraine)
Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań (Poland)