Joint Assessment and Monitoring Programe (JAMP). National Comments regarding the Norwegian Data for 1997

Abstract

This report is part of the Norwegian contribution to the SIME 1999 meeting administrated by OSPAR. JAMP 1997 included the monitoring og micropollutants in blue mussels (23 stations) and fish (10 stations) along the entire coast of Norway. The results indicated elevated levels of contaminants (i.e. over provisional "high background") in: Oslofjord proper (PCBs, ppDDE 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 1987-1997. The results from the remainding stations showed primarily low levels of contamination. Introductory studies using biological effects methods in cod, imposex/intersex in snails, dioxins and dioxin-like compounds in cod liver and lead-icotopes in sediment and mussels were conducted. No change in "pollution" or "reference" index classification was found from 1996 to 1997.