Prosjektoversikt 2004
PROFO
1
Undersjøisk deponering av
forurensede muddermasser i
marine, anoksiske bassenger effekter av tildekking
Prosjektansvarlig:
Norsk institutt for vannforskning
Prosjektleder:
Schaanning, Morten T. Forsker
Prosjektnr:
134419/S30
Bevilgningsperiode og finansiering fra Norges
forskningsråd:
1.1.2000-31.12.2004
2000: 250,000 2001: 350,000 2002: 430,000
2003: 430,000 2004: 250,000
Hovedmålet med prosjektet er å framskaffe kunnskap om
underjordisk deponering av forurensede masser (f.eks.
havnesedimenter) i avgrensede, anoksiske bassenger er en
miljømessig akseptabel løsning under forutsetning av at
massene etter endt deponering tildekkes med egnede rene
masser.
Delmålene er å fastslå:
- hvilke egenskaper dekkmassene bør ha for å få til en
effektiv isolering av de forurensede sedimentene
(kornstørrelse, mineralsammensetning og innhold av
organisk materiale)
- hvilken tykkelse dekklaget bør ha for å stoppe diffusiv
og advektiv transport av miljøgifter gjennom
dekkmassende og for å hindre at gravende dyr blir
eksponert for forurensede sedimenter
- hva som skjer (fysisk, kjemisk og biologisk) hvis det
anoksiske bassenget på et tidspunkt etter en
dypvannsfornyelse blir oksisk
Contaminated sediments accumulated near point sources
and in harbours appear in shallow water. These areas are
exposed to currents, waves, underwater constructions and
turbulence from ship propellers. Due to this high energy
environment contaminated sediments are frequently
resuspended and replaced. This increases the potential of
remobilisation and bioaccumulation in marine organisms.
As a consequence the contaminated sediments should be
removed (dredged) to obtain an environmental
improvement. At the same time the sailing depths in
harbours are increased (maintenance dredging). The
problem is an environmental safe disposal of
contaminated dredged material. One alternative is the
disposal of the dredged material in natural anoxic basins
followed by capping with clean sediments. The removal
of contaminated sediments from shallow and productive
areas and deep water placement in abiotic, anoxic
environment may have the following advantages:
- The remobilisation of contaminants from the dredged
material may be inhibited by capping.
- By adding a cap sufficiently thick to exceed the depth of
bioturbation the organisms established on top of
the cap will not be exposed to contaminated
sediments.
2
Ellasjøen, Bear Island - a mass
balance study of a highly
contaminated arctic area
Prosjektansvarlig:
Akvaplan Niva AS
Prosjektleder:
Christensen, Guttorm Normann Forsker
Prosjektnr:
135632/S30
Bevilgningsperiode og finansiering fra Norges
forskningsråd:
1.1.2000-31.12.2004
2000: 300,000 2001: 1,200,000 2002: 800,000
2003: 500,000 2004: 300,000
Hovedmålsetting med prosjektet er å bestemme kilder og
transportveier ved episodiske tilfeller, samt bestemme
belastning av langtransporterte organiske miljøgifter
tilført med luft og deponert i et avgrenset arktisk område
(Bjørnøya) i Barentshavet. Dette skal gjennomføres ved
kvalitativ og kvantitativ bestemmelse av den
atmosfæriske transporten og deposisjon fra nedbør,
fordampingsprosesser, 3D-trajektorieanalyser i tillegg til
studier av miljøgiftenes oppførsel i de terrestriske og
limniske systemene. Tidligere innsamlet datamateriale og
data fra denne studien vil gi et omfattende grunnlag for
utarbeidelse av teoretiske modeller som beskriver
transport, deposisjon og akkumulering av
langtransporterte organiske miljøgifter i et arktisk
område. Målsetting for 2000 og 2001 vil være å
gjennomføre målinger og analyser av miljøgifter i regn,
snø og tåke. Videre vil det bli gjennomført en
sammenligning av meteorologiske forhold mellom
Ellasjøen og et område nord på Bjørnøya. Ved forhøyede
konsentrasjoner av miljøgifter i måleperioden (episoder)
vil det bli gjennomført 3D-trajektorieanalyser for å
vurdere kilder.
As there is no local source to explain the elevated levels
of contaminants on Bear Island, the questions that need to
be addressed include the source of these contaminants, the
transport pathways that deliver these contaminants to this
site, total deposition and finally contaminant fate
including biological uptake and effects. As outlined in the
AMAP report, atmospheric long-range transport is a very
important source for a selected number of semi-volatile
compounds, including the above mentioned chemicals.
The project will carry out a mass balance study on the
sources and the sinks of POPs for the Ellasjøen area. The
results obtained from the field studies will be used for an
integrative modelling of the POP fate in this well-defined
area. Furthermore, the model developed during the project
can be used for other related studies to estimate POP input
and behavior.
The basis for the project is a suspicion that Bear Island is
situated in a "contaminant focusing zone". Whether or not
this suspicion is correct, will be a major research issue in
the project.
Two overall questions forms the basis for the project:
- How can local meteorological conditions influence the
principles of global atmospheric transport of
POPs?
- How does a pristine and fragile ecosystem deal with a
high POP input?
The project will provide unique data for the estimation of
atmospheric input into the Norwegian Arctic. In
connection with the already installed sampling facilities in
Ny-ζlesund, the data from the Ellasjøen sample station
can be used to model and predict atmospheric transport of
a variety of airborne persistant pollutants. In addition, the
Ellasjøen project can be seen as a pilot study to estimate
the influence of small scale or local meteorological
parameters in a large-scale atmospheric transport process.
The results can be used to describe the transport and
deposition of persistant pollutants and their fate in a
pristine ecosystem. The obtained data can further be used
to support political decision-makers on a national and
international level.
3
Mykorrhiza-soppfloraen i
heipreget skog med høy
nitrogen-belastning, effekter
på produksjon og biodiversitet
Prosjektansvarlig:
NINA - Oslo
Prosjektleder:
Brandrud, Tor Erik Forsker
Prosjektnr:
140391/S30
Bevilgningsperiode og finansiering fra Norges
forskningsråd:
1.1.2001-31.12.2005
2001: 120,000 2002: 95,000 2003: 95,000 2004:
95,000 2005: 175,000
Å vise hvordan endringer av mykorrhizasoppfloraen i
heipregete furuskogområder henger sammen med
variasjon i nitrogenbelastning, herunder:
- analysere endringer og tap av mangfold i definerte
furuskogsutforminger i belastede områder som avvik fra
1) lite belastet referanseområde og 2) forventet
naturtilstand, blant annet ved bruk av multivariat statistikk
- vurdere tålegrenser for følsomme arter/artsgrupper i f.t.
nitrogendeposisjon og nitrogenmetning
- etablere/videreføre tidsstudier av referanseområder med
ulik nitrogenbelastning.
In large-scale-Nitrogen-experiments (the NITREX
programme) the mycorrhizal fungi stands out as one of
the most sensitive biotoa with respect to N-saturation in
coniferous forests. Similar, negative effects on the
mycorrhizal fungi are to be expected in southernmost
Norway, in shallow-soil, open pine forests where Nleachage has been recorded. These effects are expected to
increase in the future because of:
1. Continuous high N-deposition (almost unchanged
levels).
2. Gradually increased degree of N-saturation in the soil.
3. Climate changes leading to increased decomposition
and release of accumulated, organic N.
The mycorrhizal fungus flora will be investigated in
ecologically similar, oligotrophic, open, shallow-soil pine
forests along a gradient in N-deposition, including
permanent plots investigated first time 10 years ago.
Possible changes and loss of biodiversity in plots with
high N-deposition will be measured as deviation from (i)
reference site conditions (site with low deposition), and
(ii) deviation from expected natural conditions.
Multivariate methods will be applied. Critical loads will
be estimated for sensitive species/species groups, that is
taxa that according to experimental studies seem to be
important bioindicators on N-pollution.
4
Utlekking, transport,
omdanning og akkumulering
av miljøgifter fra deponi til
marint miljø
Prosjektansvarlig:
Norsk institutt for vannforskning
Prosjektleder:
Bakke, Torgeir Heggelund Forskningsleder
Prosjektnr:
140405/S30
Bevilgningsperiode og finansiering fra Norges
forskningsråd:
1.1.2001-31.12.2004
2001: 300,000 2002: 800,000 2003: 800,000
2004: 300,000
Hovedmål: å øke kunnskapen om hvordan sjønære
avfallsdeponier fungerer som miljøgiftkilder til fjorder, og
hvordan transportveier, spredning, omsetning og
bioakkumulering av tungmetaller er avhengig av
kildeegenskaper, tilstandsform, salinitetsgradienter og
partikkelforhold.
Delmål:
-Klarlegge hvordan tungmetallers mobilitet og
tilstandsform i sjønære deponier endres som følge av
faktorer som gir utlekking.
- Bedre kunnskapen om hvordan salinitet og
partikkelforhold i en fjord styrer transport, omsetning,
sedimentering og bioakkumulering av tungmetaller med
ulik tilstandsform.
- Sammenlikne bioindikatorers og passive indikatorers
evne til å påvise episodisk tungmetalltilførsel som
funksjon av tilstandsform, salinitet og partikkelforhold.
Shoreline waste deposits are in focus as contaminant
sources in Norwegian fjords. Heavy metals appear in
various physical and chemical state in such waste, and
processes which cause leachage may change the state.
Metals leaching to the sea are absorbed to and desorbed
from particles. These processes are regulated by state of
the metals, particle properties, and conditions in the
receiving water, e.g. salinity. Dispersion, sedimentation
and bioaccumulation in the fjord may thus be a function
of conditions in the waste deposit and in the recipient, as
well as of the episodic factors that cause the leaching. The
project aims to study a set of hypotheses regarding the
significance of these factors in affecting the fate of metals
in an estuarine fjord system. This will be done through a
series of mesocosm experiments where a model waste
deposit is coupled to a model fjord with several basins
separated by sills. The mesocosm system is established at
the NIVA Marine Research Station Solbergstrand.
The project will study the significance of episodic factors
causing leaching of heavy metals from the model waste
deposit, and compare how the metals are distributed in
water, suspended matter, bottom sediment, accumulating
organisms (bioindicators) and passive samplers across a
salinity gradient along the model fjord. The experiments
will comprise analyses of total metal concentrations,
binding state, metal origin (through stable isotope ratios),
particle characteristics, and a range of supporting
parameters in the various compartments of the waste
deposit and the fjord.
5
Metodikk for overvåkning og
risikovurdering av effekter av
ulike persistente miljøgifter i
marine økosystem
Prosjektansvarlig:
Biologi, Institutt for,Norges teknisknaturvitenskapelige universitet
Prosjektleder:
Jenssen, Bjørn Munro Professor
Prosjektnr:
141369/S30
Bevilgningsperiode og finansiering fra Norges
forskningsråd:
15.8.2001-31.12.2004
2001: 251,875 2002: 557,000 2003: 570,000
2004: 320,125
Basert på undersøkelser av biomarkører i egg eller
nyklekte unger av utvalgte sjøfuglarter, vil en utvikle og
etablere en overvåkingsmetodikk som gjør det muig å
foreta en kostnadseffektiv risikovurdering med hensyn til
effekter av ulike persistente organiske miljøgifter i marine
økosystemer.
I første fase undersøkes effekter av kontrollert
eksponering for polybromerte difenyl etere, toksafener og
PCB i egg, samt kombinasjoner av disse, på biomarkører.
Dette for å undersøke evt. synergistiske og antagonistiske
effekter.
I fase to undersøkes biomarkører i egg/unger fra ulike
lokaliteter på Svalbard og/eller Norge.
I fase tre gjøes en risikovurdering basert på resultater fra
labstudier og felt.
6
Spredning av effekter av
persistente organiske
miljøgifter i en toppredator i
det marine økosystemet i
Barentshavregionen
Prosjektansvarlig:
NINA,Arktisk økologi
Prosjektleder:
Bustnes, Jan Ove Seniorforsker
Prosjektnr:
141443/S30
Bevilgningsperiode og finansiering fra Norges
forskningsråd:
1.1.2001-31.12.2004
2001: 600,000 2002: 600,000 2003: 400,000
2004: 400,000
Hovedmål:
Å undersøke den geografiske fordelingen og
demografiske effekter av persistente organiske miljøgifter
hos svartbak i en gradient langs kysten av Nord-Norge
Delmål:
1. Å måle nivåer og fordeling av organiske miljøgifter hos
svartbak som hekker i forskjellige kolonier langs kysten
av Nord-Norge. 2. Å undersøke transportveier for
persistente organiske miljøgifter på bakgrunn av
stoffsammensetning (PCB-kongenere og pesticider) hos
svartbak som hekker i forskjellige kolonier langs
norskekysten. 3. Å undersøke om dagens nivåer og
fordeling av organiske miljøgifter hos svartbak påvirker
demografiske parametre. 4. Gjennomføre sensitivitets- og
elastisitetsanalyser for å vurdere effekter av miljøgifter på
populasjonsdynamikken hos måkefugl i
Barentshavregionen.
A gap in the knowledge about long-transported pollution
in the northern areas is the distribution of persistent
organochlorines in top predators over a large geographical
scale. A general assumption is that the Arctic is heavily
polluted by such compounds, but studies from adjacent
temperate areas to back up this claim, are lacking. By
studying great black-backed gull Larus marinus this
project will examine levels and composition of
organochlorines in a gradient along the coast of northern
Norway. Moreover, the project will study the effects of
the present level of organochlorines on important
demographic parameters. This will provide information
about the pollution in the Arctic compared to nearby
temperate areas. It will also give information about
sources and transport of organochlorines, and the effects
of these compounds on the population dynamics of a top,
predator in the area.
7
Nitrogenets rolle i forsuring i
fremtiden; Modellerte,
empiriske og eksperimentelle
studier av endret
nitrogenavrenning
Prosjektansvarlig:
Norsk institutt for vannforskning
Prosjektleder:
Monsen, Brit Lisa Skjelkvåle Forskningsleder
Prosjektnr:
141498/S30
Bevilgningsperiode og finansiering fra Norges
forskningsråd:
13.8.2001-13.5.2006
2001: 174,000 2002: 25,000 2003: 308,334
2004: 381,000 2005: 381,000 2006: 133,500
Hovedmål: Øke forståelsen av hvilke prosesser som er
styrende for nitrogenlekkasje fra fjell og heiområder med
høy atmosfærisk N-belastning. Delmål: - Avklare dagens
status med hensyn på nitrogenlekkasje og utvikling av
nitrogenavrenning de siste 20 år fra fjell- og heiområder. Teste eventuelle empiriske sammenhenger mellom ulike
feltegenskaper og nitrat i avrenningen. - Kvantifisere
immobilisering (retensjon) av N i ulike felttyper. Utarbeide grunnlag for prognoser om fremtidig Nlekkasje i ulike typer økosystem med hovedvekt på fjellog heiområder.
8
Consequences of contaminant
releases into the arctic marine
environment from Sibirian
Rivers (Comer)
Prosjektansvarlig:
Statens strålevern
Prosjektleder:
Iosjpe, Mikhail Seniorforsker
Prosjektnr:
147437/S30
Bevilgningsperiode og finansiering fra Norges
forskningsråd:
1.1.2002-31.12.2004
2002: 330,000 2003: 540,000 2004: 400,000
The prime aim of this project will be to assess the
vulnerability of Arctic coastal areas to contaminant input
from large rivers and their estuaries, namely the Ob and
Yenisey river systems. This aim will be achieved by (1)
improving the methodology for modeling releases from
large, point-sources of contaminants, (2) collecting field
data to validate contaminant transport models, and (3)
tying the model results to formal analyses of sensitivity of
coastal resources. The project is expected to result in
improved assessment tools that wiIl aid in the further
development of better protection strategies for Arctic
resources.
1. Site-specific information will be gathered from the
estuaries in summer 2001. The field programme
is funded separately through an EU project. As
part of the project, one will gather data on
particle distributions and their associated
contaminant loads and sediment deposition and
mixing rates. The information will be used in
model simulations of discharges from the
estuaries.
2. The sensitivity analysis will be based on results of
model simulations of contaminant distributions.
These simulations will be conducted using an
improved box model. The following
improvements will be made to the box model: (i)
introduction of a heavy metals module, (ii)
improvement of the information data base used
in the model, and (iii) introduction of an ice
module.
3. Connecting the results of the modeling work to the
sensitivity analysis, the project will determine
the likely consequences to the marine
environment/habitats, biota and populations from
contamination discharges from the Ob and
Yenisey estuaries. The project will identify
"conflict areas" where high levels of contaminant
deposition in the environment coincide with
particularly sensitive habitats or populations of
Arctic species. The final results will be presented
visually as sensitivity maps presenting the
distribution of sensitive species and habitats in
the region.
9
Stressproteiner og
genekspresjon. Intracellulare
mekanismer, med hovedvekt
på studier av dyr fra
tungmetallforurensede
områder
Prosjektansvarlig:
Biologi, Institutt for,Norges teknisknaturvitenskapelige universitet
Prosjektleder:
Andersen, Rolf Arvid Professor
Prosjektnr:
147474/S30
Bevilgningsperiode og finansiering fra Norges
forskningsråd:
1.4.2003-31.3.2006
2003: 419,250 2004: 655,000 2005: 555,000
2006: 138,750
1. Undersøke hvordan dyr fra tungmetallbelastede miljøer
er påvirket av forurensninger på vevs- og cellenivå.
2. Kombinere studier av stressproteiner som
metallothionein, enzymer koblet til håndtering av
oksygenradikaler (catalase, superoxide dismutase og
gluthation peroxidase) og heat shock proteins med
genom-studier av disse stressproteinenes gener for å
etablere sammenhenger mellom stressnivå og gen-
ekspresjon i ulike vevstyper som f.eks. gjelle og lever i
fisk.
3. Utnytte mulighetene som åpner seg med det nye
fagfeltet toxicogenomics innenfor tradisjonelle
økotoksikologiske problemstillinger, ved å bruke DNA
macro/microarray teknikker for å studere hvordan en lang
rekke av gener uttrykkes i forskjellige celletyper etter
eksponering for miljøgifter.
10 Strømningsveier i nedbørfelt vann- partikler-pesticider
Prosjektansvarlig:
Jordforsk
Prosjektleder:
Øygarden, Lillian Forsker
Prosjektnr:
147954/S30
Bevilgningsperiode og finansiering fra Norges
forskningsråd:
1.1.2002-31.12.2004
2002: 512,308 2003: 1,147,692 2004: 820,000
Hovedmål:
Øke kunnskap om strømningsveier for næringsstoffer,
partikler og pesticider i vann i små nedbørfelt dominert av
jordbruk.
Delmål:
1. Styrke koblingen mellom forskning og overvåking for å
øke kunnskapsgrunnlaget for de prosesser som leder til
avrenning av næringsstoffer og pesticider fra
jordbruksarealer.
2. Videreutvikle metodikk og øke kompetansen på bruk
av tracere som hjelpemiddel for å identifisere kilder,
strømningsmønster, oppholdstider og transportveier i
nedbørfelt.
3. Bedre risikovurderinger og grunnlaget for valg av
effektive og optimale tiltak for å redusere avrenning av
næringsstoffer og pesticider. Identifisere og dokumentere
forskjeller mellom og innen små nedbørfelt som gir ulik
tap til vannforekomster.
11 Statistical techniques for risk
assessment of environmental
effects of pollutants from
diffuse sources
Prosjektansvarlig:
Norsk Regnesentral
Prosjektleder:
Aldrin, Magne Tommy Forsker
Prosjektnr:
148307/S30
Bevilgningsperiode og finansiering fra Norges
forskningsråd:
1.1.2002-31.12.2004
2002: 200,000 2003: 400,000 2004: 300,000
Principal objective:
To establish a common mathematical framework for risk
analysis of diffuse pollutants distributed in space and
space-time.
Sub-goals:
1. Develop techniques for quantifying various sources of
uncertainty (measurements, model structure, target
populations) in risk estimates.
2. Develop techniques for scaling-up risk assessment and
uncertainty estimates from single sites to region.
3. Developing techniques for visualizing results (spatial,
spatio-temporal) of risk and uncertainty such that these
are suitable for use by policy-makers.
The project will develop a common statistical framework
for risk analysis of diffuse pollutants with space-time
characteristics. For such problems, the aim is to improve
the basis for environmental decision making by providing
a link from pollutant exposure to the probability of
adverse effects. This may contribute to a new approach
for setting environmental standards for diffuse pollutants.
The methods will be general, enabling use within a broad
range of applications. Surface water acidification and
persistent organic compounds in fish will be used as case
studies, making the research directly relevant to the work
done under the UN-BCE Conventi for Long Range
Transport of Air Pollutants. The case studies will also link
the research to data from ongoing national monitoring
programs.
12 Atmosphere speciation of
mercury
Prosjektansvarlig:
Norsk institutt for luftforskning
Prosjektleder:
Berg, Torunn Seniorforsker
Prosjektnr:
148404/S30
Bevilgningsperiode og finansiering fra Norges
forskningsråd:
1.7.2002-30.7.2005
2002: 278,000 2003: 535,000 2004: 555,000
2005: 277,500
The overall aim of the project is: To quantify the
atmospheric cycling of different species of mercury. The
following spesific questions will be addressed:
1. What are the reaction mechanisms involved in the
oxidation of elemental mercury during polar sunrise?
2. Do the "mercury depletion events" contribute
significantly to the atmospheric loading of mercury to the
Arctic?
3. What are the emission rates of Hg from natural
terrestrial sources in Norway?
4. What are the main species of Hg from industrial
sources?
Mercury pollutants are of increasing importance for the
environmental quality in Europe and the rest of the world.
Many of the mercury species are able to exist in both gas
and condensed phases in the environment. Atmospheric
transport and transformations are key processes for the
loading of Hg in many regions, e.g. the Arctic. Airsurface exchange processes, such as re-emissions from
sea surfaces and ground-air interactions are also of prime
importance. For Hg, natural emissions also play an
important role in the atmospheric cycling of this pollutant,
although these sources have not been quantified.
The project will carry out speciation of mercury during
the "Arctic mercury depletion events". The global
database on Hg fluxes has increased significantly the last
ten years, but there are still large gaps. Flux
measurements will therefore be carried out on different
ground types in Norway in order to get an overview of
emission/reemission from Norwegian areas. Until now
emission measurements of mercury close to industrial
sources have included almost exclusively elemental
mercury. New information have however showed that
more reactive species of mercury (RGM) are emitted from
the antropogenic emission sources, forms that are much
more dangerous to the ecosystems. The RGM emissions
will be measured close to different anthropogenic sources.
Despite intensive investigations over decades, many
questions concerning trace metals remain unresolved,
including their behaviour in soils and water and their
ecological effects. In the past, much of trace metal
research focused on total concentrations in soil and
different soil fractions. Such information is valuable, but
does not allow precise predictions of trace metal mobility
and bioavailability. As a consequence reliable assessment
of ecological risks of trace metals remains difficult.
The project seeks to find quantitative relationships
between trace metal speciation, mobility, bioavailability
and effects in selected contaminated and uncontaminated
(semi-)natural catchments in Odda County, Norway.
Ecological effects of Cd and Zn and their speciation and
bioavailability for living organisms in soils (plants and
micro-organisms) will be assessed together with the
transfer to surface water. The project will use newly
developed biological and chemical analytical methods,
along with mathematical modelling for predicting and
assessing transport, effects of trace metals on microbes
and plants, and ecological risk of metal contaminated
soils.
13 Speciation, transport and
bioavailability of Cd and Zn in
contaminated terrestrial
ecosystems. BIOMOD
14 Study of the physical
properties and the chemical
characterisation of particulate
matter at Birkenes
Prosjektansvarlig:
Norges landbrukshøgskole,Institutt for planteog miljøvitenskap
Prosjektleder:
Mulder, Jan Professor
Prosjektnr:
153370/S30
Bevilgningsperiode og finansiering fra Norges
forskningsråd:
1.1.2003-31.12.2005
2003: 1,000,000 2004: 1,000,000 2005: 1,000,000
Prosjektansvarlig:
Norsk institutt for luftforskning
Prosjektleder:
Tørseth, Kjetil
Prosjektnr:
153373/S30
Bevilgningsperiode og finansiering fra Norges
forskningsråd:
1.1.2003-31.12.2005
2003: 360,000 2004: 360,000 2005: 360,000
Main objective Quantify mobility, bioavailability and
ecological effects on dominant plants and microorganisms of Cd and Zn in contaminated terrestrial
ecosystems. The research will be carried out at
contaminated and uncontaminated semi-natural
catchments in Odda municipality, Norway.
Specific objectives 1.
Determination of
concentrations of labile and free metal ions in soil
solution using diffusive gradients in thin films (DGT). 2.
Calibration of the equilibrium model WHAM for
the speciation of trace metals in soils. 3.
Assessment
of relationships between trace metal speciation in soil
solution and bioavailability (plants and micro-organisms).
4. Calibration of the CHUM model to estimate the
transport of metals in the catchment and their transfer to
surface water. 5. Assessment of the practical use of these
techniques as tools in evaluating ecological risk of trace
metal contaminated soils.
Trace metals are major pollutants in the industrialized
world affecting terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems.
Main goal: The overall goal is to study the mass
concentration of PM10 and PM1.0 , the particle
size/number distribution as well as its chemical
composition sampled at Birkenes. The information
obtained will support current strategies in abating
precursor emissions under the Convention on Long-Range
Transboundary Air Pollution (CLRTAP).
Specific goals: 1. Providing data for understanding gas to
particle conversion (nucleation events) to improve the
modelling of particle dynamics in the atmosphere. 2. Use
of back trajectories to geographically locate the sources
contributing to the particulate matter sampled at Birkenes
3.
Attempts to apportion of emitting sources of
particulate matter that contribute to the mass
concentration sampled at Birkenes by using chemical
characterisation and receptor analysis.
Long-range transport of aerosols accounts for a
significant portion of particulate air pollutant
concentrations in Scandinavia. Accurate determination of
the aerosol size distribution is an essential prerequisite for
determining the transport distances and thus the
geographic origin of particulate air pollutants arriving in
Scandinavia from sources in continental Europe.
Chemical speciation is required for pinpointing the types
of sources from which the long-range transported aerosols
originate.
The use of a newly developed differential mobility
particle sizer at the Birkenes site is proposed for obtaining
detailed information about physical particle properties.
More specifically, the project will measure the size
distribution of long-range transported particular air
pollutants over a wide range of size parameters and with a
high temporal resolution. Using analytical techniques
such as ICP/MS, IC, GC/MS, LC/MS and Thermal
Optical EC/OC, several aerosol-related chemical
parameters will be determined. Of special interest is the
use of Thermal Optical EC/OC. To our knowledge, this
technique has not been employed earlier for analysing
ambient air particles collected in Norway. Air mass back
trajectories and receptor analysis will be useful in order to
geographically locate the sources of air pollutants, and to
provide insights into the relationships among the various
15 The response of
hyperbenthos, infauna and
foraminifera to hypoxia in
fjord-basins:
Prosjektansvarlig:
Havforskningsinstituttet,Senter for marint miljø
Prosjektleder:
Mortensen, Lene Buhl Forsker
Prosjektnr:
153383/S30
Bevilgningsperiode og finansiering fra Norges
forskningsråd:
1.1.2003-31.12.2005
2003: 1,200,000 2004: 1,200,000 2005: 700,000
Objectives: Increase the knowledge of the effects of
eutrophication on the bottom-fauna of fjords and establish
controlling environmental factors. Sub-goals are:
1)
Document the response of different components
of the bottom-fauna in sill-basins to increased carbon flux
and the resulting reduced oxygen concentration. To
establish an eutrophication index based on the sensitive
fauna-components.
2)
Provide a documentation of the species richness
of the bottom-fauna in 11 Norwegian fjords along the
Skagerrak coast, which can serve as a baseline for
monitoring the regional coastal biodiversity.
3)
Identify general relationships between the basin
characteristics and dynamics and bottom-fauna to make a
model as a tool for prediction of fjord health.
4)
Identify fjords that historically have experienced
low oxygen concentrations through a retrospective study
of the environmental conditions based on the
foraminiferal fauna preserved in the sediment of the fjordbasins.
A unique long time series of oxygen measurements exists
from several Skagerrak fjords as part of an ongoing
monitoring program. It reveals a clear decline after 1975
due to eutrophication. This is a large scale experiment that
offers a possibility to get detailed observations on how
the bottom fauna is affected. Today indicators of
eutrophication are based mainly on infauna but, the fauna
living at the sediment-water interface, "the hyperbenthos",
is assumed to be particularly sensitive, however, the
detailed knowledge of the response of this fauna group is
sparse.
The projeet will compare the "hyperbenthos", macro
infauna, and foraminifera, together with environmental
factors, of 11 sill-basins that are part of the unique
monitoring program. Because the historical levels of
oxygen in the bottom water at these localities differ a
comparison of the bottom fauna wiIl produce detailed
information on responses to hypoxia. In addition, a
documentation of this fauna will provide a baseline for
the monitoring of coastal biodiversity.
Furthermore, it will add data that can connect the earlier
observed correlation of both carbon-flux and faunadiversity with fjord topography and improve the existing
carbon-flux sill-depth model by including a fauna
component.
Moreover, the fjords which naturally have experienced
repeated situations of hypoxia will be identified by using
the foraminifera in sediment cores as an archive of
historical bottom conditions.
16 Guano: a carrier medium for
persistent organic pollutants
(POPs)?
Prosjektansvarlig:
Akvaplan Niva AS
Prosjektleder:
Dahle, Salve Direktør
Prosjektnr:
153411/S30
Bevilgningsperiode og finansiering fra Norges
forskningsråd:
1.1.2003-31.12.2004
2003: 600,000 2004: 600,000
The main goal of the project is to assess the role of guano
as a carrier medium for POPs from the marine to the
limnic ecosystem.
Subgoals are to:
- elucidate seasonal variations in the contribution from
guano in the freshwater system and to assess the uptake in
the freshwater food chain.
- include the contribution from guano into a quantitative
model that models the uptake and transport of POPs
through the food chain
- gather new scientific results which can be used in the
development of monitoring programmes for Arctic areas
- summarise the results in scientific publications and a
thesis that fulfil the requirements for the Doctor
scientarium degree.
The main goal of the project is to trace the transport of
persistent organic pollutants (POPs) from the marine food
web into the abiotic compartment of a lake system and
further into the food web of the lake. Food web transfer
and biomagnification of POPsin marine and freshwater
food chains have been elucidated through a number of
studies, but the possibility for transfer between different
ecosystems through biological pathways has only recently
been described. The goal of the project is therfore to study
the role of guano as a biological transport medium for
POPs. The project will be performed on Bjørnøya, in an
area where previous studies have revealed high
concentrations of POPs, both in a lake system (Lake
Ellasjøen) and in guano samples from seabirds. Ellasjøen
is heavily affected by seabird guano. Another lake on
Bjørnøya, Øyangen, which is much less affected by
seabirds, will be used as a reference site. The results
produced will be used as input to a model where uptake
and transport of POPs through the food chain is
quantified.
Levels of POPs (with main focus on "new hazardous
chemicals") in the food chains in Ellasjøen and in the
marine environment close to Bjørnøya have been mapped
through a project funded by the Norwegian Research
Council (project 135604/720) and the Norwegian
Pollution Control Authorities. Some guano samples were
also analysed through this project. The results obtained
are very interesting and emphasises the importance of
studying this biological pathway for POPs-transport more
closely.
17 Time-dependent bioavailability
and toxicity of pesticides to
soil living organisms
Prosjektansvarlig:
Jordforsk
Prosjektleder:
Sverdrup, Line Emilie Postdoktorstipendiat
Prosjektnr:
153444/S30
Bevilgningsperiode og finansiering fra Norges
forskningsråd:
1.1.2003-31.12.2006
2003: 491,250 2004: 565,250 2005: 565,250
2006: 416,250
The objectives of this project are
I. to describe the temporal changes in bioavailability,
biodegradability and toxicity of hyrophobic pesticides in
soil based on changes in sorption characteristics.
2. to derive a model that predicts toxicity of hydrophobic
pesticides to a soil invertebrate at changing exposure
concentrations.
To reach these objectives, it is important
- to elucidate the influence of desorption kinetics on the
uptake rate of pesticides in soil invertebrates.
- to describe the effect of sorption on biodegradability of
pesticides.
· to clarify the relationship between exposure and effect
on soil invertebrates.
· to integrate sorption, biodegradation and leaching in
exposure models and link tissue concentrations to toxicity
for a soil invertebrate.
Soil sorption is a key parameter controlling the fate and
ecological effects of pesticides. Recent monitoring data
show that several pesticides are more persistent than
expected, and that non-target exposure is likely to occur.
Thus, the current risk assessment procedures often fail to
describe environmental risk properly. One of the main
problems associated with the current guidelines on risk
assessments is that the exposure and effect assessment is
based on total contaminant concentrations instead of the
soil-specific bioavailable fraction of a compound.
By linking sorption, bioavailability and ecological risk,
the project seeks to improve exposure and effect
assessment of two pesticides in particular, and on organic
compounds in general. By relating temporal changes in
sorption behaviour to changes in biodegradation, as well
as bioaccumulation in earthworms, the influence of
sorption on these processes will be revealed. A model will
be developed that predicts toxic effects under changing
exposure concentrations, and this model will then be
parameterised and tested in mesocosm experiments. In
addition, a simple and promising tool for determining
bioavailability: non-exhaustive extraction with ^Xcyclodextrine, will also be evaluated.
18 Increased N removal in
constructed wetland filters use of stable nitrogen isotopes
to determine factors
controlling denitrification
/DNRA
Prosjektansvarlig:
Jordforsk
Prosjektleder:
Søvik, Anne Kristine Forsker
Prosjektnr:
153448/S30
Bevilgningsperiode og finansiering fra Norges
forskningsråd:
1.1.2003-3.12.2005
2003: 550,000 2004: 550,000 2005: 550,000
Examine N-removal processes in constructed wetlands
such as denitrification and dissimilatory nitrate reduction
to ammonium (DNRA). Stable N isotopes will be used to
examine the environmental factors favouring the
processes.
· Use batch studies to examine relevant processes for N
retention in wetland filter material, as well as identifying
environmental factors influencing these processes
· Study N-processes coupled to transport in a meso-scale
constructed wetland
· Evaluate whether use of natural isotopic fractionation of
N isotopes may be used as a method for determining
denitrification rates in constructed wetlands
Release of nitrogen and phosphorus to lakes, rivers and
coastal areas constitutes the main risk for reduced water
quality and eutrofication. The most important
antropogenic sources for nitrogen and phosphorus
compounds in Norway are municipal wastewater, runoff
from agricultural areas, landfill leachate and loads from
the industry. Nitrogen removal from wastewater is
currently demanded in some cities and we expect
requirements to come for non-urban areas e.g. in
connection with the new requirements of the Water
Framework Directive. In non-urban areas, constructed
wetlands may be a feasible and cost-efficient method for
wastewater treatment.
Research at Jordforsk related to nitrogen removal in
constructed wetlands indicates that processes of relevance
for removal and buffering of nitrogen are besides the
nitrification-denitrification process, also dissimilatory
nitrate reduction to ammonium (DNRA) and ammonium
sorption. With denitrification, nitrogen is permanently
removed from constructed wetlands, however, the
greenhouse gas N2O may constitute a substantial part of
the emitted gases. DNRA on the other hand is an
unfavourable process as nitrate is reduced to ammonium
instead of being denitrified. It is not yet clear which
environmental factors that favour the different processes
in constructed wetlands.
In co-operation with an interdisciplinary research team
the project will use isotope studies to examine the
environmental factors favouring the different processes,
in order to optimize the removal of nitrogen in
constructed wetlands, while at the same time minimising
the emissions of N2O.
19 Bioavailability and effects of
organochlorine contaminants
in relation to seasonal lipid
cycles in arctic fox
Prosjektansvarlig:
NINA,Arktisk økologi
Prosjektleder:
Jørgensen, Even Seniorforsker
Prosjektnr:
153484/S30
Bevilgningsperiode og finansiering fra Norges
forskningsråd:
1.1.2003-31.12.2005
2003: 626,000 2004: 705,000 2005: 385,000
Overall goal:
Study the influence of natural winter emaciation in an
arctic top-predator on organochlorine contaminant tissue
distribution, bioavailability and biological impact.
Partial goals:
I. Quantify OC distribution between 'insensitive' storage
tissues (adipose tissue), blood (transport medium), and
sensitive tissues (liver, brain, gonads) in relation to
seasonal emaciation.
2. Determine the effect of OC tissue distribution (see
point I.) on OC bioavailability (i.e. hepatic CYP1A
biomarker responses).
3. Assess possible effects of natural OC body burdens on
adrenal steroidogenesis and plasma hormone levels in fat
and lean arctic fox.
Arctic animals utilize periods with high food availability
for feeding and lipid deposition, whereas they rely on
stored lipids during unfavourable periods. Hence, many
arctic inhabitants exhibit profound seasonal cycles of
fattening and emaciation. In the Arctic, feeding is
associated with fat deposition and contaminant
accumulation. When lipids are mobilized, accumulated
contaminants are released into the circulation.
Consequently, blood contaminant concentrations may
increase markedly and result in a redistribution of the
contaminant(s) from "insensitive" adipose tissues to
sensitive organs, and increased contaminant
bioavailability. Such variations complicate interpretations
of pollutant toxicity, both in effect studies and in
monitoring programs, and remain an important future
research area.
The project will use arctic fox (Alopex lagopus) as a
model species for investigating tissue distribution and
bioavailability of organochlorine contaminants (OCs) in
relation to natural variations in lipid status (field study).
These data will be supplemented and validated through a
contamination study with blue fox (A. lagopus), where the
seasonal changes in lipid status of wild fox are simulated
in the laboratory. In the field and laboratory study,
possible effects of OCs on steroid hormone synthesis, and
plasma levels of hormones, vitamin E and retinol will also
be assessed.
20 Mercury in lake sediments;
trends in fluxes, geographical
pattern and sources
Prosjektansvarlig:
Norsk institutt for vannforskning
Prosjektleder:
Skjelkvåle, Brit Lisa Forsker
Prosjektnr:
153515/S30
Bevilgningsperiode og finansiering fra Norges
forskningsråd:
1.4.2003-31.12.2005
2003: 625,000 2004: 600,000 2005: 350,000
Identify historical and recent trends in the supply of
atmospherically deposited mercury into lakes in Norway
with respect to rates, geographical patterns and pollution
sources.
Sub-goals
- Reveal the temporal and geographical variations in the
atmospheric depositions of mercury and other trace
elements in Norway by analysis of dated lake sediment
cores
-Determine the ratios of stable mercury isotopes in the
dated sediment cores and in different source materials for
atmospheric mercury pollution (coal, elemental mercury,
non-ferrous ores etc.)
- Elucidate the historical and recent sources of mercury
pollutants in lake sediments by comparing the stable
mercury isotope ratios in dated strata with the ratios in
potential source materials. The analysis will focus on the
influence of long-range atmospheric transport versus
emissions from local smelters and process industry
Mercury is a ubiquitous contaminant because of the
dominantly atmospheric pathways by which it is
transported to regions far from the emission sources. Lake
sediments are suitable as environmental archives for
tracing the history of mercury depositions, as airborne
mercury deposited on the lake surface, and supplied from
the catchments, are likely to be scavenged by organic
particles and deposited in the sediments.
The project will examine historical trends and geographic
variations in atmospheric mercurydepositions by analysis
of dated lake sediment cores. Resent results indicate that
natural mass dependent fractionation of mercury isotopes
may give rise to small, but significantly distinct isotopic
signatures in different environmental samples. This offers
the opportunity for using isotope ratios in source-oriented
studies of mercury pollution.
The project will use isotope analyses to examine the
historical and recent sources of atmospheric mercury
pollution. The ratios of stable mercury isotopes in dated
sediments will be compared with the ratios of source
materials of atmospheric mercury pollution (coal,
elemental mercury, non-ferrous ores). The isotope
analyses will be done by a high-resolution mass
spectrometer (MC-ICP-MS) in co-operation with a
scientific group at Trent University, Canada. The project
will especially focus on the influence of long range
transboundary atmospheric mercury pollution (main
source is burning of coals) versus local emissions from
non-ferrous smelters and other process industry.
21 Bioaccumulation,
ecotoxicology and biomarker
responses of new and old
POPs in a marine ecosystem;..
Prosjektansvarlig:
NINA,Avd. for terrestrisk økologi
Prosjektleder:
Nygård, Torgeir Forsker
Prosjektnr:
153560/S30
Bevilgningsperiode og finansiering fra Norges
forskningsråd:
1.1.2003-31.12.2005
2003: 853,000 2004: 863,000 2005: 705,000
1) To investigate the levels of ‘new’ and ‘old’ POPs along
a gradient from a (polluted) urban fjord site to a remote
(clean) coastal site. 2) Method adaptation and
optimisation for the implementation of new compounds
such as metabolites of brominated flame retardants,
chlorinated naphtalenes and alkanes, and perfluorinated
organic compounds into standard methods for POP
analysis. 3) study bioaccumulation rates of different POPs
in two parallel food chains. 4) evaluate the
ecotoxicological implications of the observed levels of
POPs and biomarkers in relation to growth and
reproductive success of model species, in particular the
Shag.
The research project will make use of two simple and
representative food-chains to study bioaccumulation and
biomagnification of new and little studied organic
pollutants such as brominated flame retardants (BFR),
chlorinated alkanes (PCA) and synthetic musks, as well as
PCBs, DDE, HCH and HCB. Therefore, during the
project, biological samples in marine food chains (Blue
mussel -Eider, Saithe and Shag) will be collected in three
carefully selected localities, along a gradient from
"polluted" to "pristine". This will also allow an evaluation
of the importance and magnitude of local vs. long-range
transported load of POPs. Basic data on POP levels in
seawater will be obtained during the project by the use of
semipermeable membrane devices (SPMD). Two of the
sites are seabird colonies with long and ongoing series of
population and reproduction studies, and a carefully
designed study of POP levels, biomarker responses,
growth and breeding achievements of a fish-eating
seabird, the Shag, will make ecotoxicological
interpretations possible. The results will deepen and
broaden the information gathered during the study under
ongoing projects performed by the same research group.
The analytical achievements will be implemented in new
and better procedures for existing and future research and
monitoring programs.
22 Radioactive dose assessment
improvements for the Nordic
marine environment:...
Prosjektansvarlig:
Statens strålevern
Prosjektleder:
Gwynn, Justin Seniorforsker
Prosjektnr:
153568/S30
Bevilgningsperiode og finansiering fra Norges
forskningsråd:
1.1.2003-31.12.2005
2003: 1,000,000 2004: 1,000,000 2005: 1,000,000
The principal objective is to further constrain dose
assessments for the Nordic marine environment through
statistical and experimental examination and reassessment
of abiotic and biotic parameters of a pre-existing dose
assessment box model. This will be achieved through:-
The determination of technetium-99 (99Tc) levels and
time series in pelagic and benthic food webs in
Norwegian waters.
Improved understanding of time-dependent distribution
coefficients (KD) and concentration factors (CF) of 99Tc
in key marine organisms and the removal of contaminants
during alginate industrial processing.
Improvement of the NRPA box model by the integrated
analysis of model hindcasts for 99Tc dispersion, the
introduction of selectable flow fields and novel and
reassessed abiotic and biotic parameters and a critical
analysis of current radionuclide monitoring designs.
Radioactivity in the Arctic environment is a central topic
within environmental pollution issues. The project
(acronym "RADNOR") includes model and monitoring
assessments and improvements, several hypothetic case
studies with sources of different character and location,
dose calculations and use of realistic climatic background
scenarios in order to assess corresponding consequences
for transport of radioactive pollutants.
The measurements that are used in RADNOR origin from
fieldwork and monitoring performed by the Norwegian
Radiation Protection Authority. The models central in
RADNOR are a 3-D hydrodynamic oceanographic model,
calculating radionuclide transport pathways and
concentrations, and an oceanographic box model, which
gives average radionuclide levels on a longer time scale.
RADNOR consists of three main components:
- A first part, dealing with model hindcasts and
observations for spreading of technetium-99
from the Sellafield nuclear reprocessing plant
during the 1990s;
- Part 2, containing working packages on improvements
of the box model; and
- Part 3, applying the models for a selection of scenarios
taking both different climate forcing situations
and different kinds of accidental discharge
scenarios into account.
From the model outputs, doses to man and environment
will be calculated resulting in a valuable database for use
within environmental management and for decision
makers.
23 Triclosan - A New POP?
Prosjektansvarlig:
Norsk institutt for luftforskning
Prosjektleder:
Schlabach, Martin Seniorforsker
Prosjektnr:
153688/S30
Bevilgningsperiode og finansiering fra Norges
forskningsråd:
1.1.2003-31.12.2004
2003: 700,000 2004: 800,000
Within the proposed project a first assessment ot
concentration levels, fate and environmental risk of
Triclosan in abiotic and biotic Norwegian environmental
samples will be performed.
It is planned to -develop and validate a reliable trace
analytical method based on gas chromatographic (GC)
separation and mass spectrometric (MS) detection for
qualitative and quantitative determination of triclosan in
air, water and biota samples. -provide first evidence about
the presence and distribution of triclosan in the
Norwegian aquatic environment. -study seasonal
variations due to the photochemical degradation of
triclosan -perform an environmental risk analysis for
triclosan -disseminate the result of this project to
authorities and public
There is a growing concern about the increasing use of
triclosan, due to its ability to lead to antibiotic resistance
in micro-organisms and due to other undesired
environmental effects. Triclosan has been used as an
effective antiseptic in cosmetics, soap, toothpaste and
plastic for kitchens and table utensils.
Triclosan is a relatively stable, lipophilic compound and
bioaccumulate. Environmental occurrence of triclosan has
been reported in samples of wastewater, surface water,
sediment and fish.
Within the project a reliable trace analytical method will
be developed and validated together with the project
partners in Sweden and Switzerland. A first assessment of
concentration levels, fate and environmental risk of
Triclosan in abiotic and biotic Norwegian environmental
samples will be performed. Samples of wastewater,
surface water, mussel and cod from the Oslo fjord area
and surface water and fish from the lake Mjøsa will be
analyzed. In order to evaluate the potential peculiarities
under Northern environmental and climatic conditions a
study of the seasonal trend in surface water will be
performed.
As an integrated part of the dissemination strategy the
project will be finished with an open workshop bringing
together the project partners from NILU, NIVA, ITM
(Sweden) and SFRS (Switzerland), relevant authorities
and other interested organizations.
24 Effects of pesticides on
endocrine function and
development in amphibians
Prosjektansvarlig:
Biologi, Institutt for,Norges teknisknaturvitenskapelige universitet
Prosjektleder:
Jenssen, Bjørn Munro Professor
Prosjektnr:
153698/S30
Bevilgningsperiode og finansiering fra Norges
forskningsråd:
1.7.2003-31.12.2005
2003: 150,000 2004: 150,000 2005: 150,000
Establish an amphibian model using Rana temporaria as a
model species for examining endocrine disruptive effects
of pesticides on development (metamorphosis, sexual
differentiation, growth) and endocrine homeostasis in
amphibians.
Eggs and adults will be exposed to pesticides (DDT,
permetrin and fenitrotion) to evaluate to which extent
these pesticides may have endocrine disruptive properties
that may affect popullations of amphibians.
To assess the impact of combined effects, eggs and adults
will also be exposed to a combination of pesticides and
UV-B radiation.
Effects will also be studied in individuals from naturally
high and low exposed populations.
Pesticides can be an important contributing factor to the
world-wide decline in amphibian populations. The aim of
the project is to examine to which extent pesticides affect
development (metamorphosis, sexual differentiation and
growth) and endocrine function in amphibians, and
thereby assess the contributing effect of pesticides to the
amphibian decline. Rana temporaria is chosen as a model
species. Increased UV-B radiation is another factor that
has been suggested to be a contributing factor, and the
study will focus on the combined effects of pesticide and
UV-B exposure. Studies will be conducted through
experimental exposure of adults and eggs, and individuals
from polluted sites and from control sites will be collected
and assessed in relation to the experimentally exposed
individuals. Effects will be examined biometrically,
anatomically and histologically, and by studying thyroid
and sex hormone homeostasis, retinoid, thiamin and
tocopherol status.
25 Perfluorinated aliphatic
surfactants and airborne
fluorochemicals in Norwegian
environmental samples
Prosjektansvarlig:
NILU - Tromsø
Prosjektleder:
Berger, Urs Forsker
Prosjektnr:
153740/S30
Bevilgningsperiode og finansiering fra Norges
forskningsråd:
1.1.2003-31.12.2005
2003: 520,000 2004: 725,000 2005: 540,000
A first assessment of environmental risk and
concentration levels of perfluorinated organic compounds
(FOCs) in abiotic and biotic Norwegian environmental
samples will be performed.
Sub-goals
1. Develop and validate reliable trace analytical methods
for qualitative and quantitative determination of FOCs in
water, air and biota samples.
2. Provide first evidence about the presence and
distribution of FOCs in the Norwegian environment.
3. Gain better insight into potential toxicological and
ecotoxicological effects caused by man-made FOCs and
their transformation products.
4. Provide data and expertise to national decision-making
institutions leading to adequate decisions concerning
production and use of FOCs in Norway.
Fluorinated organic compounds (FOC) are used for a
wide range of industrial applications. The presence of
perfluorinated aliphatic surfactants in environmental
samples including biota from remote areas and of airborne
polyfluorinated alcohols in air samples has recently been
reported. The lack of pertinent data and information on
the deviating properties of these newly emerging
persistent hazardous substances presents urgent need for
elucidation. The exceptional physical properties of
fluorinated compounds ask for completely new sample
clean-up and analysis techniques. A currently on-going
project gave very promising results concerning separation
and detection of the target analytes in ultra-trace levels by
liquid chromatography coupled to different mass
spectrometric techniques.
The project intends to optimise and adapt these methods
to the requirements of analysis of a comprehensive set of
environmental samples such as air, water and marine
biota. Furthermore, different toxicity tests such as
membrane studies from fish brains and free radical and
cell death studies with primary cell cultures will be
performed. The toxic effects can be directly correlated
with those of the well investigated PCBs and brominated
flame retardants. Finally, the scientific findings of the
environmental monitoring and toxicity testing will be
given to political decision-makers.
26 Brominated flame retardants:
Study of environmental fate
and synergistic toxic effects
with a special focus on the
Norwegian environment
Prosjektansvarlig:
Norsk institutt for luftforskning
Prosjektleder:
Schlabach, Martin Seniorforsker
Prosjektnr:
159116/S30
Bevilgningsperiode og finansiering fra Norges
forskningsråd:
1.1.2004-31.12.2005
2004: 1,050,000 2005: 1,050,000
Study of source, transport, levels and effects of
brominated flame retardants with emphasize on the
Norwegian environment.
Task 1: Study on spatial distribution and long-range
atmospheric transport of brominated flame
retardants
Task 2: Study the biomagnification processes of BFR in
the pelagic food web of Lake Mjøsa- a deep
Nordic lake
2.1 Determine particulate and free fraction of
BFR in lake water.
2.2. Estimate the sampling characteristics of
SPMD with respect to different BFR congeners:
use of SPMD to detect spatial variation in concentrations
of BFR in lake water.
2.3. Determine the concentration of BFR in
major invertebrate prey groups.
2.4. Estimate the net trophic transfer efficiency
of BFR between major compartments in the
pelagic food web.
Task 3: In vitro and in vivo study of neurotoxic and
immunotoxic effects of BFR in fish and rodents
The knowledge of sources, levels, trends, transport and
toxic effects of brominated flame retardants (BFR) is still
very limited. Based on our findings of extraordinary high
levels of BFR in Lake Mjøsa, this project will study the
behaviour and ecotoxicological impact of BFR on
environment. Major objectives will be spatial distribution
and long range transport of BFR, biomagnification
processes of BFR in a pelagic food web of Lake Mjøsa,
and in vitro and in vivo study of neurotoxic and
immunotoxic effects of BFR in fish and rodents. Human
and wildlife animals are often exposed to high
concentrations of different environmental toxins. The
project will have especially focus on possible synergistic
toxic effects of BFR in combination with the major
environmental contaminants PCB and methyl-mercury.
As a consequence of this improved understanding,
authorities will be furnished with a better basis for
decisions such as reduction or complete ban of these or
similar compounds.
27 Functional role of macrofauna
on contaminated sediments
and the potential of fauna
recovery following sediment
remediation
Prosjektansvarlig:
Norsk institutt for vannforskning
Prosjektleder:
Olsgard, Frode Forsker
Prosjektnr:
159200/S30
Bevilgningsperiode og finansiering fra Norges
forskningsråd:
1.1.2004-31.12.2005
2004: 475,000 2005: 400,000
The principal objective
The overall objective is to establish cause and effect
relationships between pollutants and macrobenthic fauna
structure and function in order to predict possible
improvements in the ecological health following
remediation of strongly polluted marine sediments.
Project sub-goals:
- Investigate the link between pollution and the functional
role of the benthic communities and identify the most
important organisms for ecosystem functioning
-Investigate the relationships between the chemical and
ecological status of selected polluted coastal and offshore
areas in order to generate plausible cause and effect
hypotheses for further experimental testing in field
experiments and mesocosm studies
-Provide a basis for producing ecologically based
environmental health classification systems
In a number of Norwegian coastal and fjord sites, bottom
sediments are heavily contaminated by micropollutants
from anthropogenic discharges. Prevalent contaminants
are metals, PAH, PCB, dioxins and TBT. The sediments
may represent significant sources to contaminants in
ambient water and biota. Presently Norwegian
environmental authorities consider to implement rather
expensive measures to clean the sediments in the most
polluted areas. Sediments are complex dynamic habitats
in which the fauna interplay with physical and chemical
processes. The present study aims at assessing the
functional role of benthic communities on contaminated
sediments and estimate community recovery following
sediment remediation. This will be approached through
1)identifying links between chemical pollutants and key
structural and functional factors of benthic species
communities, and 2) evaluting different methods for
estimatig faunal recovery. Links between faunal function
and comtaminants will be assessed from existing data in
databases combining information about species
composition with functional traits such as reproduction,
life duration, feeding habits, body form and mobility.
Methods for estimating recovery will be based on
comparisons with reference areas, faunal changes along
gradients and theoretical approaches combined with
functional traits. Field investigations will be carried out at
localities with severe sediment pollution to supply data
and test predictions. The product seeks to develop a
conceptual framework for estimating recovery. The
results will be of general importance for risk assessments
and management of contaminated sediments and is
relevant to the EU water frame directive.
28 A flexible, integrated tool for
management of contaminated
sediments 2
Prosjektansvarlig:
Norsk institutt for vannforskning
Prosjektleder:
Næs, Kristoffer Forskningsleder
Prosjektnr:
159214/S30
Bevilgningsperiode og finansiering fra Norges
forskningsråd:
1.1.2004-31.12.2005
2004: 1,350,000 2005: 1,350,000
The principle objective is:
-To develop a flexible, user-friendly tool for management
of contaminated sediments. To achieve this, the specific
scientific objectives are:
1. Develop a flexible modelling tool that can be used to
describe the fate and food chain accumulation of
contaminants in multiple Norwegian aquatic ecosystems
2. Enhance the acceptability and capability of the model
in decision support for managing contaminated sediments
3. Develop a framework for cost-benefit analysis under
uncertainty for the evaluation of scenarios for clean-up of
contaminated sediments
Developing strategies to manage contaminated sediments
has been identified as one of the major environmental
challenges facing the European Community and Norway.
To that end, Norway has newly launced comprehensive
action plans. Given the complexity, question of utilitarian
value and cost related to clean-up measures, tools for
decision support are imperative. To provide stakeholders
with the tools to assess the risks associated with
contaminated sediments, we need to formulate a
predictive model,which should be based on easily
obtainable properities of any given system and pollutant
molecule. It should be an integrated model that
incorporate the fundamental processes involved in
sediment - water transfer of POPs and predict the fluxes
of bioavailable POPs into the overlying waters, see these
in relation to other sources and include food chain
accumulation. The process-based model should be able to
make predictions of fluxes and resulting water
concentrations of any given POP for any given fjord/bay
over different time scales into the future. Given the nature
of the cost involved in remedial actions, there is also a
need to develop methods for economic cost-benefit
analysis. We here propose to develop a user-friendly tool
for management of contaminated sediments.
29 Pollution induced modulation
of sex steroid transport and
cellular responses - POLLMOD
Prosjektansvarlig:
Norsk institutt for vannforskning
Prosjektleder:
Tollefsen, Knut-Erik Forsker
Prosjektnr:
159243/S30
Bevilgningsperiode og finansiering fra Norges
forskningsråd:
1.1.2004-31.12.2005
2004: 370,000 2005: 390,000
The objective is to develop methodology determine
whether chemical interference and modulation of SBPassisted transport of sex steroids represents a novel
mechanism for endocrine disruption and clarify how this
mechanism interacts with traditional estrogen receptor
(ER)- mediated endocrine disruption. Studies will
encompass traditional and priority pollutants like BFR,
PFOS and PPCP.
The objectives of the project will be achieved by:
1 in vitro determination of direct interference with the
SBP
2 in vitro determination of interaction with SBPmodulating and ER-mediated mechanisms for endocrine
disruption
3 in vitro assessement of the endocrine disrupting
potential of selected chemicals
Attempts to link adverse health effects in wild fish
populations to the exposure to endocrine disruptors are
complicated by the low potency of many of these
chemicals. The low estrogenic potency of these chemicals
would require either exposure to very potent unknown
endocrine disruptors, environmental mixtures of several
active compounds, additional mechanisms of endocrine
disruption or co-operation between multiple mechanisms
for toxic effect. While classical mechanism of endocrine
disruption an mixture toxicity is well documented in
literature, studies on novel mechanisms of endocrine
disruption and cooperative action between multiple
mechanisms are highly warranted. This applies in
particular to studies encompassing high priority
environmental pollutants like brominated flame retardants
(BFR) perfluorinated organic chemical (PFOS) and
pharmaceutical and personal care products (PPCP) where
knowledge of toxic mechanisms and potential is limited.
POLLMOD will investigate novel mechanisms of
endocrine disruption involving the plasma sex steroidbinding protein (SBP) through use of a combined
approach using fish in vitro and in vivo experiments.
Methods developed will be used to assess the endocrine
disrupting potential of traditional and "new"
environmental pollutants and is anticipated included in an
environmental monitoring "toolbox".
30 Integrated risk assessment for
the transport of particles,
nutrients and pesticides in
agricultural catchments INTRA
Prosjektansvarlig:
Jordforsk
Prosjektleder:
Øygarden, Lillian
Prosjektnr:
159255/S30
Bevilgningsperiode og finansiering fra Norges
forskningsråd:
1.1.2004-31.12.2005
2004: 1,500,000 2005: 1,500,000
The overall goal of the project is to develop/conduct an
integrated (combined nitrogen, phosphorus, soil erosion
and pesticides) pollution risk assessment for optimal
implementation of measures to critical source areas. The
subgoals are: 1. Identification of relative critical source
areas for low/high losses of soil, nutrients and pesticides.
2. Development of risk assessment indices for N, P and
pesticides for a case area (The Skuterud catchmen). 3.
Defining pathways from source via the soil to surface
waters. 4. Incorporate in the soil erosion risk assessment
also other erosion forms than sheet erosion. 5.
Development of an integrated tool for management of
mitigation strategies.
There is a need to develop an integrated management
strategy at the catchment scale that jointly include the
spatial variation in risk of nutrient, particle and pesticide
losses. This project seeks to develop such an integrated
approach, based on risk assessment indices for erosion, P
loss, N loss and loss of pesticides. The project will be
based on existing data within the JOVA-programme as
well as other related projects, e.g. PhD.- project on
development of a P index, empirical nitrogen models
from work in relation to the 5th North Sea conference.
Some additional studies will be carried out to highlight
special issues, especially at the catchment scale. The
indices in themselves provide a categorisation of the
edge-of-field risk of loss and additionally the catchment
scale approach will be represented in form of e.g.
connectivity, stream bank erosion and retention. The
output from this project will be a pilot integrated index for
a catchment, which will be useful for end-users
implementing differing management strategies for
different areas of the catchment.
31 POP transfer through Arctic
marine food webs - further
model development and data
analyses
Prosjektansvarlig:
Norsk Polarinstitutt
Prosjektleder:
Borgå, Katrine Forsker
Prosjektnr:
159417/S30
Bevilgningsperiode og finansiering fra Norges
forskningsråd:
1.3.2004-31.12.2005
2004: 685,000 2005: 594,000
i) Theoretical modelling of food web transport of
pollutants - Continue improvement of the Campfens
Mackay (1997) model by additional development and
tests of chemical, environmetal and organism parameters Complete a multi-species mass-balance unsteady-state
food web model by including numerical solutions to
change the present steady state model to a non steady
state-condition - Further develop a user-friendly
modelling tool for research and management purposes in
terms of scenario building
ii) Analyse Canadien and European Aarctic marine fod
web organochlorine datasets jointly to identify and
explain semi-circumpolar patterns.
The proposed post doctoral project consist of two
interlinked parts which will study in details marine food
web accumulation of contaminants in Arctic marine
ecosystems by the use of already existing organochlorine
data in Arctic marine food webs -Barents Sea and North
Water Polynya - . Both parts are different approaches to
study the overall aim: to understand which factors are
important in the bioaccumulation of organic pollutants in
marine food webs. Both parts require and will be
conducted in collaboration with international scientists.
Part i) to further develop and adapt a steady state mass
balance food web model (Campfens and Mackay 1997) to
make it applicable to Arctic marine ecosystems with an
unsteady state assumption. The model will be available
for research and management purposes and can be used to
identify variables of importance for bioaccumulation in
Arctic marine food chains, ii) to analyze Canadian and
Norwegian food web data sets jointly to properly
investigate the semi-circumpolar contaminant distribution
in invertebrates, fish, seabirds, seals and polar bear.
32 Killer whales in Norway transfer, sex - and age-specific
accumulation and biological
responses of contaminant
mixtures
Prosjektansvarlig:
Norsk Polarinstitutt
Prosjektleder:
Wolkers, Hans Seniorforsker
Prosjektnr:
159432/S30
Bevilgningsperiode og finansiering fra Norges
forskningsråd:
1.1.2004-31.12.2004
2004: 120,000
The proposed study aims to investigate exposure of
Norwegian killer whales to "old" and "new"
contaminants, contaminant transfer from prey to predator,
contaminant-specific accumulation and biomarker
responses. In this proposal we ask for resources to analyze
killer whale tissues, sampled in November 2002, for a
broad range of contaminants, including new compounds,
as well as biomarker responses.
Subgoals:
- Assess contaminant-specific food chain transfer and
accumulation in Norwegian killer whales.
- Assess the biological response to contaminant exposure
(CYP 1A activities) in relation to contaminants in food
and blubber.
Marine predators, like seals and whales are exposed to
high levels of contaminants, including PCBs and
pesticides. However,in recent years there is growing
concern about the increase of "new" compounds, like
polybrominated flame retardants(BFRs), in the
environment. Recent studies have indicated that these
"PCBs of the 21 st. century" double their concentration
every 5 years.
Killer whales worldwide hold the gloomy record as most
polluted marine mammal in the world. Due to their high
trophic level these animals can be considered as ultimate
indicators of marine ecosystem health, but surprisingly,
Norwegian killer whales have not been subject to any
ecotoxicology-related studies. Ecological as well as
physiological factors make killer whales particularly
sensitive to contaminant exposure and research on this
high profile top predator is desperately needed.
The proposed study reaches beyond the traditional
measurements of levels. It addresses for each contaminant
group: 1) the degree and type of exposure with emphasis
on new compounds;2)transfer in the herring-killer whale
link of the marine food web; 3)bioaccumulation and
metabolism of "old" and "new" compounds; 4)
contaminant-induced biological responses (CYP1A
assays).
33 Long-term trends and
ecological effects of pollutants
in a tawny owl population in
central Norway
Prosjektansvarlig:
NINA,Arktisk økologi
Prosjektleder:
Bustnes, Jan Ove Seniorforsker
Prosjektnr:
159435/S30
Bevilgningsperiode og finansiering fra Norges
forskningsråd:
1.1.2004-31.12.2005
2004: 700,000 2005: 750,000
Principal objective:
Examine fluctuations and potential ecological effects of
various pollutants, and develop improved monitoring
methods for terrestrial top-predators, by using a long-term
data series on the tawny owl.
Sub-goals:
- Document fluctuations in levels of heavy metals and
organic pollutants in central Norway during the 1980s and
1990s.
-Examine the occurence and trends of less studied
environmental contaminants in central Norway during the
last 20 years.
- Investigate if population dynamics of tawny owls are
affected by pollutants, and how such effects are
influenced by natural stress factors - food abundance and
climatic conditions .
- Use long term data to develop new methodologies for
monitoring of pollution in terrestrial top-predators, to save
resources for data collection.
Various pollutants, including heavy metal and
organochlorines, have been of great concern in Norway,
but long term data sets on wildlife likely to be affected by
such pollutants have been lacking. Here we propose a
study of levels, fluctuations and possible ecological
effects of different pollutants in a tawny owl (Strix aluco)
population in central Norway, by using a long-term data
series. The data are individual based, and tail feathers
have been collected presently from 193 female owls since
1986 (514 feathers). In addition more than 300 eggs have
been collected in the same period. Simultaneously
measures of reproductive output adult survivel and diet
have been recorded. The data will be analysed using
recent developments in statistical modelling which will
enable us to extract the effects of pollution from natural
environmental variation. This data series provide a uniqe
opportunity to document changes in pollution levels,
occurrence of new contaminants and effects of pollution
over a period when management effort to reduce pollution
has been very high. In addition it will enable us to
develop an improved sampling design for monitoring of
pollutants in terrestrial top-predators.
34 Controls and fate of springtime
atmospheric mercury
deposition in the Arctic
Prosjektansvarlig:
Norsk institutt for luftforskning
Prosjektleder:
Berg, Torunn Seniorforsker
Prosjektnr:
159437/S30
Bevilgningsperiode og finansiering fra Norges
forskningsråd:
1.1.2004-31.12.2005
2004: 982,000 2005: 402,000
The main aim is to study the controls and fate of
springtime atmospheric mercury deposition in the Arctic.
The following specific questions will be addressed: 1.
What chemical species comprise reactive gaseous
mercury?. 2.What are the sea ice processes leading to the
release of photolyzable bromine? 3. To what extent is the
snowpack a sink for reactive gaseous mercury and a
source of elemental mercury? 4. What is the biotic fate of
the deposited mercury?. 5 What are the climatic variables
that control mercury deposition rates? 6. What are the
mechanism behind the high mercury concentrations in
moss wrowing at the Norwegian Arctic coast.
The discovery of the springtime atmospheric mercury
vapour depletion phenomenon at Alert in the Canadian
Arctic stimulated a vigorous research effort in six
circumpolar nations and other countries with a keen
interest in preventing pollution of polar regions. The last 4
years have demonstrated that atmospheric mercury
depletions/deposition episodes (AMDEs) occur
perennially, not only at Alert but also at other locations in
the Arctic: Alaska, Svalbard, Greenland, Russia, Hudson
Bay and in Antarctica. While the existing of this
ecologically important phenomenon in cold environments
is now accepted by the scientific community, many
uncertainties remain in our understanding of AMDEs.
A workshop in Toronto, 2002, brought together 40
scientists on this subject from eight countries. Its primary
objectives were to share the knowledge pertaining to
AMDEs, review and discuss outstanding research
questions, examine opportunities for future
collaborations, and initiate preliminary planning of
prospective studies to fill the existing knowledge gaps.
Attendees concluded with a compilation of high priority
research questions related to this polar phenomena. The
present project consists of three sub projects, all aiming
on answering these questions. The sub prosjects are:
International mercury study at Barrow, The fate of
atmospheric mercury at Ny-Ålesund and Mercur in
mosses at the arctic coast of Norway.
35 Environmental Noise 20042005
Prosjektansvarlig:
SINTEF Tele og data,Telecom and Informatics
Prosjektleder:
Gjestland, Truls Seniorforsker
Prosjektnr:
159459/S30
Bevilgningsperiode og finansiering fra Norges
forskningsråd:
1.1.2004-31.12.2005
2004: 2,800,000 2005: 2,800,000
The proposal outlines plans for the continuation of a
comprehensive cross-institutional research program on
environmental noise. Five Norwegian institutions with a
leading role in noise research have established a research
consortium. They will act as a resourceful partner for the
Norwegian Research Council. The plans are in
compliance with the targets for noise research set forth by
the Research Council.
The plans include the following elements:
• description and analysis of the present noise situation
with respect to both physical, sociological, and
psychological aspects of environmental noise as a basis
for predicting future changes.
• description and analysis of major noise sources, in
particular road traffic noise
• models for prediction and optimization of the effect of
planned or implemented noise reduction measures in a
complex noise environment.
• models for cost-benefit analysis of noise reduction
measures, and for complex situation where noise
abatement is but one of several factors implemented to
improve living conditions in a community.
• increased noise competence and awareness on all levels
of public administration
• international co-operation and networking. More details
on main targets are presented in the annex: Proposal for a
cross-institutional research program, phase 2. Special
attention will be given to community noise models,
neighborhood soundscapes, and noise annoyance and
sleep disturbances in urban areas. In this phase 2 of the
project, there will also be an emphasis on noise reduction
strategies, and studies on the noise generation
mechanisms of vehichles and vehichle/road interaction.
This research program will provide knowledge to assist
the authorities in reaching the target of 25 percent
decrease in noise annoyance within 2010, and to
strengthen the Norwegian noise research community.
These main objectives can be reached by:
• Developing tools and methods for measuring and
predicting noise annoyance,
• Studies aimed at understanding physiological,
sociological, and psychological factors influencing noise
annoyance,
• Designing and developing noise abatement strategies,
and models for cost-benefit analysis of noise reduction
measures
•Providing know-how and competence on all levels.