Riverine inputs and direct discharges to Norwegian coastal waters - 2004. OSPAR Commission

Abstract

The report contains results from the 2004 monitoring of 46 Norwegian rivers in accordance with the requirements of the OSPAR Commission. Riverborne inputs of nutrients, suspended particulate matter, total organic carbon, silicate, metals (Cd, Hg, Pb, Cu, Zn, As) and the pesticide lindane to Norwegian coastal waters are calculated based on concentration and flow data. In addition, the inputs from rivers not monitored, as well as direct discharges to marine waters along the coast from Sweden to Russia have been estimated. In the ten rivers monitored monthly, there are only minor changes in total load from 2003 to 2004, except for an increase in mercury and total nitrogen. These increases are believed to be caused by changed laboratory methods, and increased water discharges, respectively. For the remaining 36 rivers that were monitored quarterly, there is a tendency of higher inputs of some parameters in 2004 as compared to 2003. This is most likely due to an effect of increased sampling frequency, as these rivers were monitored only once a year prior to 2004.