ZIMO is also the division where the multidisciplinary nature of research at the RBI is most evident, primarily because its leading and internationally recognised environmental research requires collaboration and expertise from various natural science fields. Our 12 laboratories represent numerous research profiles, as well as diverse research directions and topics, which you can learn more about in this brochure. What unites us is a common mission: high-quality scientific research aimed at better understanding the environment, with the ultimate goal of developing a society based on the sustainable use of environmental resources.

Achieving of this strategic goal requires a combination of human resources, research equipment, and spatial infrastructure. However, in today's world, and especially in the future, we cannot succeed without intensive cooperation, communication, and both national and international recognition. Therefore, the aim of this brochure is to present ourselves to our current and potential collaborators in the academic community, the economic sector, local and public administration, and to citizens more broadly.

We believe and hope that the following pages will provide concise, clear, and high-quality information and guidelines that show where we are, what we do, and what we can offer. If any of this aligns with your interests, please contact us – we are open to various forms of cooperation.

ZIMO is the leading resource for research expertise and equipment in marine and environmental research in the Republic of Croatia

Strategic research directions at ZIMO include the sea, transitional and fresh waters, terrestrial systems, and the atmosphere.

MISSION – conducting high-quality scientific research to improve understanding of the environment, with the ultimate goal of developing a society based on the sustainable use of environmental resources.

ACTIVITIES – primarily basic scientific research, with contributions to multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary developmental research, and the development of new methodologies.

Research

Interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary research at ZIMO specifically includes:

• biogeochemical processes in natural systems
• analysis of inorganic and organic compounds in water systems
• ecotoxicology and development of biological indicators for pollution assessment
• environmental microbiology and biotechnology
• marine biophysics at the nano- and microscale
• satellite oceanography and marine physics
• radioecology
• assessment of cellular changes and pathology in aquatic organisms
• evaluation of biodiversity and habitat conditions of aquatic organisms
• environmental modeling and informatics

Services

Our services include specific analyses of water, sediment, and biota, using accredited methods for:

• Analysis of organic carbon in water and sediment
• Analysis of radioactivity/determination of radionuclide activity
• Field fish sampling in open waters

Collaborations and Projects

Research at ZIMO is primarily conducted through numerous national and international scientific projects, leading to collaborations with researchers worldwide and publication in leading international scientific journals.

The most important research projects include:

• European Research Council (ERC) projects
• Projects funded under the Horizon Europe program
• Croatian Science Foundation (HRZZ) projects
• Bilateral research projects
• Projects supported by national and international scientific foundations
• Projects of international professional scientific organisations (EMBO, IAEA)

The most important national collaborations are:

• Collaboration with the Center for Marine Research in Rovinj and the Institute of Oceanography and Fisheries in Split within the Reference Center for the Sea, a consortium of the Institute of Oceanography and Fisheries and the Ruđer Bošković Institute
• Long-term collaboration with the Forensic Science Centre Ivan Vučetić at the Ministry of the Interior
• Ongoing collaboration with Croatian Waters
• Projects with various public institutions responsible for protected areas

Marine research station Martinska

Located on the Adriatic coast near Šibenik, it serves as the central station for marine and freshwater ecosystem research.

A mobile research platform equipped for the fieldwork in the Adriatic Sea.

Education and popularisation of science

Conducted at undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral levels, as well as through popular science workshops and projects, and the dissemination of scientific topics in schools, faculties, the media, and public events.