Operational monitoring according to the EU Water Framework Directive, outside Elkem Carbon AS and Elkem Solar AS in the Kristiansandsfjord in 2016

Summary

NIVA has carried out operational monitoring in Kristiansandsfjord in 2016, outside the company sites for Elkem Carbon AS and Elkem Solar AS. The monitoring program was in accordance to the water framework directive and was approved by the Norwegian Environmental Agency. The program was based on the composition of the companies’ discharges to the water body. The companies have discharge consents for As, Cu, Cr, Ni, suspended matter and for PAH-compounds. The monitoring program included sampling of mussels (five stations) and sediments for analysis of soft bottom fauna (three stations) and contaminants (six stations). Based on these analysis, chemical and ecological status at each sampling location were determined. For blue mussels from the Lumber location closest to Elkem, concentrations of benzo(a)pyren exceeded the environmental quality standard (EQS). Hence, the location was characterized as having “not good” chemical status. The other blue mussel locations were classified as having “good” chemical status. All sediment locations were classified as having “not good” chemical status due to exceedance of EQS for both metals and PAHs. Ecological status based on soft bottom fauna analyses was classified as having “good” status on all three locations. However, the chemical classification of these stations results in a downgrade of the ecological status. Hence the three soft bottom fauna stations are classified as having “moderate” ecological status.