Joint assessment and monitoring programme (JAMP). National Comments to the Norwegian Data for 1995

Abstract

This report is part of the Norwegian contribution to the SIME 1997 meeting administrated by OSPARCOM. JAMP 1995 included the monitoring of micropollutants in blue mussels and fish at 29 and 13 stations, respectively, along the entire coast of Norway. The results indicated elevated levels of contaminants (i.e. over provinsional "high background") in: Oslofjord proper (PCBs and mercury in fish) and Langesundsfjord (HCB in mussels) and Sørfjord and Hardangerfjord (cadmium, lead, mercury and ppDDE in mussels). Significant downward trends were found for cadmium in mussels from the Sørfjord and Hardangerfjord for the period 1987-1995. An upward trend was found for mercury in mussels for the same period. Only slight overconcentration was found for cadmium in blue mussels from Orkdalsfjorden. A mussel station in a harbour at Lofoten had elevated levels of PCBs and ppDDE. The results from the reminder of stations showed primarily low levels contamination. There is evidence that the "natural" background levels of cadmium in mussels and cod (liver) may be slightly higher in the North of Norway. Introductory studies of PAH and "dioxins" in mussels were conducted. Overconcentrations of PAH were found at one station in the North of Norway. A new index was tested to assess the levels of contamination of mussels in "polluted" and "reference" areas. The index will be tested again with 1996 samples.