Contaminants in coastal waters of Norway 2014

Summary

This programme examines the levels, trends and effects of contaminants in biota along the coast of Norway. The 2014-investigation included analyses of 136 different contaminants or biological effect parameters in five types of samples (blue mussel, dog whelk, common periwinkle, cod and passive samplers). The contaminants include metals (Hg, Cd, Pb, Cu, Zn, Ag, As, Ni, Cr and Co), organochlorines (e.g. PCBs, DDT), PAHs, polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), perfluorinated alkylated substances (PFAS) as well as contaminants that have recently received more attention such as hexabromcyclododecane (HBCDs), chlorinated paraffins (SCCP, MCCP), phosphorus flame retardants (PFRs),bisphenol A (BPA), tetrabrombisphenol A (TBBPA), alkyphenols, phthalates, triclosan, Diuron and Irgarol. Biological effects parameters included VDSI, OH-pyrene metabolites, ALA-D and EROD. In the report, thirty representative substances or parameters were chosen for analyses of 759 time series (last 10 years). Of these there were statistically significant trends in 104 cases: 86 were downwards and 18 upwards. The dominance of downward trends indicated that contamination is decreasing for the measured substances. The downwards trends for TBT-concentrations and effect parameter (VDSI) confirmed that the legislation banning the use of TBT has been effective. Of the same 759 cases, 403 could be classified by the environmental classification system used by the Norwegian Environment Agency, 374 were classified as insignificantly polluted, 26 as moderately polluted, two as markedly polluted and one as extremely polluted. Some cases warrant special concern, such as upward trend for mercury in cod fillet and high concentrations of several organic pollutants in cod liver from the Inner Oslofjord. Very high concentrations of DDE in mussels from the Sørfjord were related to earlier use of DDT as pesticide in orchards along the fjord. The relation of fish length on mercury concentration and affect of different sizes of pooled samples were examined. Alternatives to using cod liver as a target tissue was discussed.