Joint Assessment and Monitoring Programme (JAMP). National Comments regarding the Norwegian Data for 1998 and supplementary investigations on cod (1996) and sediment (1996-1997)

Abstract

This report is part of the Norwegian contribution to the SIME 2000 meeting administrated by OSPAR. JAMP 1998 included the monitoring of micropollutants in blue mussels (39 stations) and fish (20 stations) along the coast of Norway from Oslo to Bergen, Lofoten and Varangerfjord. 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 1987-1998. The results from the remaining stations showed primarily low levels of contamination. No change in "pollution" or "reference" index classification was found from 1997 to 1998. Studies were also conducted on the southern/south-western coast using biological effects methods in cod (6 stations) and imposex/intersex in dogwhelks (6 stations). Furthermore, this report includes supplementary investigations of sediment (13 stations, 1996-1997), dioxins and other persistent halogenated chlorines and bromines in cod liver (4 stations, 1996).