Joint Assessment and Monitoring Programme (JAMP). National Comments regarding the Norwegian Data for 1999

Abstract

This report is part of the Norwegian contribution to the SIME 2001 meeting administrated by OSPAR. JAMP 1999 included the monitoring of micropollutants in blue mussels (45 stations) and fish (16 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). A significant upward trend were found for mercury in cod from the inner Oslofjord and downward trends were found for cadmium and lead in mussels from the Sørfjord and Hardangerfjord for the period 1987-1999. The results from the remaining stations showed low or moderately levels of contamination. No change in "pollution" or "reference" index classification was found from 1997 to 1999. Studies were also conducted in two areas on the southern/south-western coast using biological effects methods in cod (6 stations), flatfish (5 stations) and imposex/intersex in dogwhelks (6 stations). Concentrations of organotin in mussels and imposex in dogwhelks were still apparent, especially in the Haugesund area compared to the 1998 investigation.