Operational monitoring in compliance with the EU Water Framework Directive for Glencore Nikkelverk AS in Kristiansandsfjord. Investigations of blue mussel in 2016 - phase 2.

Summary

NIVA has carried out operational monitoring outside Glencore Nikkelverk AS in Kristiansandsfjord since 2014. The monitoring program was in accordance to the Water Framework Directive (WFD). The program was conducted according to the compounds present in the plant’s discharge to the WFD water body “Kristiansandsfjorden-indre havn”. The plant has permission for discharges of arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), cobalt (Co), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), nickel (Ni), lead (Pb), zinc (Zn), sulphur dioxide (SO2) and dioxins. Due to Glencore Nikkelverk AS’ discharges to the water body, the same five blue mussel stations were investigated in 2016 as in 2014/15. The purpose was to identify contamination of water region specific substances and EU-priority pollutants. Blue mussels were analysed for metals (As, Co, chromium (Cr), Cu, Fe, Ni, Pb and Zn), dioxin and dioxin-like PCBs. The survey included both EU-priority pollutants (Pb, Ni, dioxins and dioxin-like PCBs), which are assessed for chemical status, and water region specific substances (As, Cu, Cr and Zn), which are considered for ecological status. Environmental Quality Standards (EQS) for dioxins and dioxin-like PCBs in biota are given in M-608 (2016). Of all EU-priority pollutants (Pb, Ni, dioxins and dioxin-like PCBs), only dioxins and dioxin-like PCBs are assessed for chemical status. Pb and Ni are classified due to Molvær et al. (1997) to indicate degree of influence. This study also included the water region specific substances (As, Cu, Cr and Zn), but no EQSvalues for biota are given in M-608 (2016). The metals As, Cu, Cr and Zn are classified due to Molvær et al. (1997) to indicate degree of influence.