Joint Assessment and Monitoring Programme (JAMP). National Comments to the Norwegian Data for 1996

Abstract

This report is part of the Norwegian contribution to the SIME 1997(2) meeting administrated by OSPARCOM. JAMP 1996 included the monitoring of micropollutants in blue mussels (30 stations) and fish (13 stations) at along the entire coast of Norway. The results indicated elevated levels of contaminants (i.e. over provisional 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 1987-1996. A mussel station in a harbour at Lofoten had elevated levels of mercury and PCBs. The results from the remainder of stations showed primarily low levels contamination. Introductory studies of PAH and dioxins in mussels were conducted. Overconcentrations of PAH were found in the inner Oslofjord and three stations in the North of Norway. No change in pollution or reference index classification was found from 1995 to 1996.