Laboratories and Research Bases | Danube Delta National Institute for R&D

Monitoring methods and integrations solutions for medium and long-term evolution trends

Our Laboratories

Integrating multiple fields of expertise (Chemistry, Hydrobiology, Genetics, Aquaculture)

Our Team

What we’ve published from our research

Our Scientific Papers

Chemistry Laboratory

The Chemistry laboratory is a research facility accredited by the Romanian Accreditation Association – RENAR since 2006, according with SR EN ISO/CEI 17025:2005 (Accreditation Certificate No. LI 434, valid until 2018). The Chemistry Laboratory has 7 accredited general methods by RENAR, as follows: molecular absorption spectrometry (UVVIS), mold vapor atomic absorption spectrometry (CVAAS), inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), determinations by gravimetric methods, determinations by volumetric methods, determinations by electrochemical methods, gas chromatography from all sample types (surface water, groundwater, wastewater, soil/sediment, aquatic vegetation, fish and fish products). To ensure the analysis quality, the Chemistry Laboratory is a participant in national and international inter-laboratory comparison schemes. Comparison tests are an independent quality assurance of the assessments and calibrations as described in SR EN ISO/ CEI 17025: 2005. The Chemistry Lab is organized into 4 specific laboratories.

Chemical Analysis Unit - standard methods

Heavy Metals Assessment Unit - preparation and analysis

Organic Micropollutants Unit – extraction and analysis

Hydrobiology Laboratory

The Hydrobiology Laboratory provides vast expertise in aquatic ecology and waterbody ecological status assessments in conformity with the EU Water Framework Directive. Through its members, the Laboratory of Hydrobiology conducts research activities focused on the structure and functionality of the planktonic communities (phyto- and zooplankton), macroinvertebrates and species-environment relationships. Ever since the establishment of the Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve, the laboratory members have been involved in common research projects aimed at developing proper water quality monitoring programs. In the 90’s, only two taxonomical groups were covered: zooplankton and macroinvertebrates. Subsequently, the team’s expertise was expanded, adding to their research topics also phytoplankton and phytobenthos. In 2006, a significant number of the lab’s personnel took part in an international team of experts that worked to develop indicators and methods for ecological status assessments in conformity with the EU Water Framework Directive. Over time a hydro-biological database, regarding phytoplankton, zooplankton and macroinvertebrate community composition and species abundance, emerged. This database, thanks to its scale and level of detail represents the bedrock for further research projects and a frame of reference for other research teams in the institute.

Genetic and Molecular Ecology Laboratory

The Genetic and Molecular Ecology Laboratory has a 32-year-long tradition, during which genetic approaches such as cytogenetics, population genetics and molecular phylogeny have been applied to various fish species. The name of the lab and the applied approaches have evolved over time, in synchrony with the evolution of genetic techniques. In recent years, laboratory members have expanded their expertise by also addressing other taxa from the Danube Delta. The DDNI’s attention to genetic aspects of research was first embodied in 1985 when the Fish Cytogenetics Laboratory was established. Initially, the main research topics of the lab were aimed at karyotyping and karyotype investigations of freshwater fish species such as Acipenser stellatus, Misgurnus fossilis, Barbus barbus, Scardinius erythrophthalmus, etc.

Later, in 2000, in accordance with advances in molecular biology techniques, DDNI established the molecular biology laboratory. Furthermore, special consideration was given to the Lower Danube sturgeon species through close collaboration with the Sturgeon Research Group (SRG). During the past decades there has been great progress worldwide in molecular biology research on sturgeons. Knowledge regarding the genetic variability of sturgeons from the Danube River basin, the last wild self-sustaining sturgeon population in the European Union, has gradually increased every year. The preliminary studies on the genetic structure of sturgeon populations of the Danube River were conducted in collaboration with the Laboratory of Molecular Genetics at Queen’s University of Belfast, Northern Ireland. Since then, the genetics and molecular ecology team has focused on:

Identification of species, populations and interspecies hybrids;
Studying the genetic diversity and population structure;
Isolation and sequencing of new sturgeon genetic markers for phylogenetic studies.

Since the beginning of 2015, the Genetic and Molecular Ecology Laboratory has expanded its expertise, covering several genetic aspects of colonial waterbirds from the Danube Delta.

Enisala, Maliuc and Chilia Veche Research Stations

The Enisala Research Station is a remote facility in the eastern part of Enisala village, in the Sarichioi commune. Ever since 1939, the former Danube Delta hydro-biological station from Tulcea has been in Enisala. The research station is located on a channel that links Babadag Lake to the Rasim Laguna, as a pike-perch) spawning station designed to annually supplement the lagoon with juveniles. Due to its connectivity with the Danube River in the beginning of the last century (via two channels: Dunavăț and Dranov), the Rasim-Sinoe Complex became the largest natural reservoir of freshwater fish species in Romania. Among all the lagoon fish species, the pike perch has the highest commercial value, being one of the major export products of Romania. The Rasim-Sinoe Complex pike perch productivity is mainly dependent on the production of embryonated eggs in the Enisala Research Station. Since 1970, this activity was taken up and developed by the DDNI. Over time, international cooperation allow us to expand the scope of the research station, enabling staff and student mobility from different Romanian institutions and even from other countries such as the Republic of Moldova, Ukraine, Italy and the Netherlands.

Danube Delta National Institute for Research and Development

Babadag Street, nr. 165, PO 820112, Tulcea City, Romania

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Department: MANAGEMENT | GENERAL DIRECTOR / PRINCIPAL RESEARCHER

Expertise: Ecological Reconstruction, Habitats

Team: Management

Contact:

Email: office@ddni.ro

Tel.: +40240/524550 int.: 101

Principal researcher, licensed in Ecology and also PhD at “Ovidius” University from Constanta – Environmental Scienes faculty focusing onEnvironment Protection – Ecology. Had participated in over 15 specialized courses both national and international, coordinated over 14 national and international projects, published 19 ISI articles, one patent, published 14 papers at various acknowledged scientific events national and international, a book and 8 book chapters.

Departament: DEZVOLTARE TEHNOLOGICA, TRANSFER TEHNOLOGIC SI PLANIFICARE SPATIALA

Expertiza: Desen Tehnic, Proiectare, Incarcare Baze de Date

Echipa: Dezvoltare Tehnologica, Transfer Tehnologic si Planificare Spatiala

Contact:

Email: mihaela.nichifor@ddni.ro

Tel.: +40240/524550 int.: 167

Mihaela Nichifor este Tehnician Proiectant in cadrul Institutul National de Cercetare-Dezvoltare „Delta Dunarii” din anul 1991 cu urmatoarele atributii: executarea lucrarilor de birou in domeniul proiectarii; fotointerpretare; gestiune si arhivare proiecte; activitate de secretariat; sarcivi cu caracter administrativ; documentare si colectare de date; verificarea calitatii documentelor, actelor si a materialelor studiilor de proiectare.

Department: TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENT, TRANSFER AND SPATIAL PLANNING

Expertise: Technician, Drawing Design, Database Loading

Team: Technological Development, Treansfer and Spatial Planning

Contact:

Email: mihaela.nichifor@ddni.ro

Tel.: +40240/524550 int.: 167

Mihaela Nichifor is a Research and Development Technician in “Danube Delta” National Institute since 1991 and the main attributions are: implementation of development projects; photointerpretation; administration and project archiving; secretatial activities; administrative tasks; documentation and data collection; quality check.

Departament: DEZVOLTARE TEHNOLOGICA, TRANSFER TEHNOLOGIC SI PLANIFICARE SPATIALA

Expertiza: Modelare Hidraulica 1D2D, GIS

Echipa: Dezvoltare Tehnologica, Transfer Tehnologic si Planificare Spatiala

Contact:

Email: adrian.constantinescu@ddni.ro

Tel.: +40240/524550 int.: 134

Constantinescu Adrian Cornel este inginer IDT I cu specializare in modelare hidrologica si GIS. Are o experienta de 20 ani in modelare hidrologica utilizand softul specializat Sobek Rural 1D2D si 25 de ani in procesare GIS. Principalele realizari pe partea de modelare hidrologica sunt legate de participarea la proiecte FP si nationale:

– “ Centre of Excellence – DELWET” prin modelul hidraulic al Deltei Dunarii (inceput in 1997 si actualizat permanent) pentru care a primit Diploma Sesiunii Stiintifice Romane 2000 pentru „Modelul hidrologic al Deltei Dunarii”,

– FP5 “Nutrient Management in the Danube Basin and its Impact on the Black Sea – DANUBS”, prin modelul hidrochimic la Deltei Dunarii,

– “Redimensionarea ecologica a luncii Dunarii – REELD”, 2008 prin realizarea modelului hidraulic al Dunarii de la Gruia la marea Neagra,

– SEE- INTERREG IV B “STAKEHOLDER ORIENTED FLOOD RISK ASSESSMENT FOR THE DANUBE FLOODPLAINS (“DANUBE FLOODRISK”), 2009-2012 prin realizarea hartilor de hazard si risc la inundatii in lunca Dunarii de la Gruia la Marea Neagra,

– POS Mediu “Elaborarea unui suport cartografic digital de rezoluţie înaltă necesar implementării planurilor, strategiilor şi a schemelor de management în Rezervaţia Biosferei Delta Dunării” 2009-2012 prin modelul hidraulic al Deltei Dunarii si scenarii de renaturare,

– “MARS” project (Managing Aquatic ecosystems and water Resources under multiple Stress) funded under the 7th EU Framework Programme, prin modelarea lacurilor din Delta Dunarii utilizand Aquatox.

Principalele realizari pe partea GIS sunt legate de participarea la proiecte FP si nationale:

– Harti tematice ale Deltei Dunarii (vegetatie, sol, inundabilitate) pentru care a primit Nederlandse Vereninging voor Kartografie Technical Cartography Award 1994 for Danube Delta soil map,

– Phare-Ro “Establishment of an information system and a database for water management field according to the requirements of the water framework directive” 2008 prin harta retelei hidrografice a Romaniei si a statiilor de tratare/epurare a apei,

– PN II “Inventarierea pajistilor naturale cu biodiversitate ridicata din Romania in vederea fundamentarii stiintifice a masurilor de management pentru conservarea acestora-NARDUS” 2007-2010, prin procesarea GIS a hartilor,

– PN II „Harta Micropotenţialului Hidroenergetic al României – abordări complexe tehnico-economice HARMIH-RO” 2008-2010 pentru hartile hidrografice ale debitelor raurilor din Romania,

– Corine Land Cover (1995, 2000, 2006, 2012, 2018),

– A black Sea network promoting integrated natural Wastewater treatment systems – “WASTE-net” (Retea pentru Marea Neagra de promovare a sistemelor integrate de tratare naturala a apelor uzate), 2013-2015 pentru identificarea/evaluare potentialului utilizarii procedeelor naturale de epurare a apelor menajere ale localitatilor din Romania cu o populatie sub 2000 de locuitori,

– Program Nucleu 2016-2020 Elaborarea hărților de risc și hazard la inundații pentru localitățile din Delta Dunării.

Department: TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENT, TRANSFER AND SPATIAL PLANNING

Expertise: 1D2D Hydraulic Modeling, GIS

Team: Technological Development, Treansfer and Spatial Planning

Contact:

Email: adrian.constantinescu@ddni.ro

Tel.: +40240/524550 int.: 134

Adrian Constantinescu Cornel is an engineer specializing in hydrological modeling and GIS. He has 20 years of experience in hydrological modeling using specialized software Rural 1D2D Sobek and 25 years in GIS processing. The main achievements on the hydrological modeling are related to participation in FP and national projects:

– “Centre of Excellence – DELWET” by hydraulic model of the Danube Delta (beginning in 1997 and constantly updated) for which she received Diploma Romanian Scientific Session 2000 “hydrological model of the Danube Delta”

– FP5 “Nutrient Management in the Danube Basin and Its Impact on the Black Sea – DANUBS” by hydro chemical model in the Danube Delta

– “Resize ecological floodplain Danube – REELD” in 2008 by conducting hydraulic model of the Danube from the Black Sea Gruia,

– SEE INTERREG IVB “stakeholder FLOOD RISK ORIENTED ASSESSMENT FOR THE DANUBE FLOODPLAINS (” DANUBE FLOODRISK “), from 2009 to 2012 by making hazard maps and flood risk in the Danube Floodplain Gruia Black Sea

– SOP “Developing a high-resolution digital cartographic support needed to implement the plans, strategies and management schemes in the Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve” 2009-2012, by hydraulic model of the Danube Delta and scenarios of renaturation

– “MARS” project (Managing Aquatic Resources under multiple ecosystems and water stress) Funded under the EU 7th Framework Program, by modeling using Aquatox Delta lakes.

GIS on the main achievements are related to participation in FP and national projects:

– Thematic Maps of the Danube Delta (vegetation, soil, flooding) for which he received voor Nederlandse Vereninging KARTOGRAFIA 1994 Award for Technical Cartography Danube Delta soil map,

– Phare-Ro “Establishment of year and the database information system for water management field According to the Requirements of the Water Framework Directive” 2008, by hydrographic network map of Romania and potable water treatment / water treatment,

– PN II “Inventory of natural grasslands with high biodiversity in Romania in order to substantiate scientific management measures for their conservation-Nardus” 2007-2010 by processing GIS maps,

– PN II “Hydropower Potential Map of Romania – complex technical and economic approach HARMIH-E” hydrographic maps 2008-2010 for the flow of rivers in Romania,

– Corine Land Cover (1995, 2000, 2006, 2012, 2018),

– Promoting integrated network A Black Sea natural Wastewater treatment systems – “WASTE-net” (Network for the Black Sea to promote integrated systems for natural treatment of wastewater) from 2013 to 2015 for identifying / evaluating the potential use of natural water treatment processes household of localities in Romania with a population under 2,000 inhabitants,

– National Program 2016-2020 Develop risk maps and flood hazard to localities in the Danube Delta.

Departament: CENTRUL DE INFORMARE TEHNOLOGICA „DELTA DUNARII”

Expertiza: Stiinte Socio-Economice, Turism, Informare si Transfer Tehnologic, Organizare Evenimente Stiintifice

Echipa: CENTRUL DE INFORMARE TEHNOLOGICA „DELTA DUNARII”

Contact:

Email: edward.bratfanof@ddni.ro

Tel.: +40240/524550 int.: 126

Edward Bratfanof – Absolvent al Facultatii de Silvicultura si Exploatari Forestiere, Universitatea Transilvania Brasov, specializare Ingineria Mediului, licenta 1995. Masterand in Managementul si monitorizarea mediului (2014 – 2016) la Universitatea „Dunarea de Jos” Galati. Doctorand (din 2015) in domeniul Inginerie industriala la Universitatea „Dunarea de Jos” Galati cu tema „Elemente de impact multiplu asupra ecosistemelor din sectorul inferior al Dunarii”. Coordoneaza activitatile specifice departamentului CIT DD din anul 2014, a elaborat Strategia de dezvoltare si Planul de Afaceri al CIT DD 2015 – 2020. A fost implicat in proiectele WETECOS – Cartarea si evaluarea serviciilor ecosistemelor din zona Divici – Pojejena si contributiile lor la sectoarele economice, TARCHS – Campanii de formare si constientizare cu privire la potentialele riscuri asupra mediului si sanatatii populatiei asociate cu substantele si deseurile periculoase, Restoration-DD Restaurarea ecosistemelor din zona umeda Sontea – Fortuna s.a.

Department: DANUBE DELTA TECHNOLOGICAL INFORMATION CENTER

Expertise: Socio-Economic Sciences, Tourism, Technological Transfer and Information, Organizing Scientific Events

Team: DANUBE DELTA TECHNOLOGICAL INFORMATION CENTER

Contact:

Email: edward.bratfanof@ddni.ro

Tel.: +40240/524550 int.: 126

Edward Bratfanof – Faculty of Silviculture and Forest Engineering, Transilvania University of Brasov, specialization: Environmental Engineering (1995). Master student in Environmental Management and Monitoring (from 2014) – “Dunarea de Jos” University of Galati. PhD student (from 2015) in Industrial Engineering – “Dunarea de Jos” University of Galati, entitled “Multiple Impact Elements on Lower Danube Ecosystems”. He coordinates the specific activities of the CIT DD department since 2014, elaborated the Development Strategy and the Business Plan of the CIT DD in the period 2015 – 2020. He was involved in: WETECOS – Mapping and Assessment of the Ecosystem Services in Divici-Pojejena Wetland and Identification of their Contribution to the Economic Sectors, TARCHS – Training and Awareness Rising Campaigns Regarding the Potential Huma Health and Environmental Risks Associated to Hazardous Substances and Waste, Restoration-DD Restoration of Sontea – Fortuna Wetland Ecosystems

Department: LABORATORIES AND RESEARCH BASES

Expertise: Aquatic Ecology, Zooplankton

Team: Hyrdobiology Laboratory

Contact:

Email: iasemin.sali@ddni.ro

Tel.: +40240/524550 int.: 191

Iasemin Sali, 31 years old, is research assistant at the Hydrobiology Laboratory of DDNI. In 2008 she has graduated from Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences. In 2010 she earn a Masters degree in Management of Environmental Impacts. She is involved in research projects about ecological assessment of aquatic ecosystems having as main responsibility zooplankton species identification.

Departament: LABORATOARE SI BAZE DE CERCETARE

Expertiza: Chimia Mediului, Geochimie si Biotehnologie

Echipa: Laboratorul de Chimie

Contact:

Email: cristina.despina@ddni.ro

Tel.: +40240/524550 int.: 136

Cercetător în cadrul INCDDD, Tulcea, Romania, doctor în Știința Materialelor din anul 2010, cu experiență în chimia mediului, impactul factorilor de mediu asupra prezenței micropoluanților organic și anorganici în ecosistemele acvatice, experiență în spectrometria de masă cu plasmă cuplată inductiv, gazcromatografie cu spectrometrie de masă, spectroscopie moleculară în UVVIS, absorbţie atomică cu vapori reci (CVAAS). A fost colaborator în numeroase proiecte naționale și internaționale și este autorul mai multor publicații în reviste cotate ISI (9), reviste indexate în baze de date internaționale (3) și coautor al unui capitol de carte.

Departament: LABORATOARE SI BAZE DE CERCETARE

Expertiza: Chimia Mediului si Geochimie

Echipa: Laboratorul de Chimie

Contact:

Email: liliana.teodorof@ddni.ro

Tel.: +40240/524550 int.: 186

Cercetător științific în cadrul INCDDD Tulcea și coordonatorul Departamentului Laboratoare și Baze de Cercetare. Este Licențiată în Chimie (Facultatea de chimie din cadrul Universității București, 1991) și Doctor în Chimie (Facultatea de chimie din cadrul Universității București, 2009). Are o vastă experiență în spectrometria de masă cu plasmă cuplată inductiv, gaz cromatografie/ spectrometrie de masă, spectroscopie moleculară în UVVIS, absorbţie atomică cu vapori reci și cu flacără, spectrometrie în infraroșu. Are o experiență de peste 26 de ani în evaluarea, acumularea și transferul poluanților în sistemul aer-apă de suprafață-sol/sedimente-floră și fauna terestră/acvatică, dezvoltare durabilă, evaluarea impactului de mediu. Este coautor la 6 cărți și la 4 capitole de carți, din care 2 ca prim autor. A publicat 13 articole publicate în reviste cotate ISI din care 6 ca prim autor, 1 articol în extenso într-o revistă indexată ISI, 8 articole extenso publicate în reviste indexate în baze de date internaţionale (BDI). A coordonat 8 proiecte/contracte naționale. Este membru B.EN.A– Balkan Environmental Association și membru I.A.D. – International Association of Danube River Research, Viena, Austria. A fost profesor asociat al Universității École Nationale Supérieure Agronomique de Toulouse (2002, 2004) și profesor asociat la Masterul Dezvoltare Durabilă și Protecția Biodiversității al Universității Tehnice de la Cluj.

Monitoring methods and integrations solutions for medium and long-term evolution trends

Integrating multiple fields of expertise (Chemistry, Hydrobiology, Genetics, Aquaculture)

What we’ve published from our research

Danube Delta National Institute for Research and Development

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