Joint Assessment and Monitoring Programme (JAMP). National Comments regarding the Norwegian Data for 2006

Abstract

This report is part of the Norwegian contribution to OSPAR’s Joint Assessment and Monitoring Programme (JAMP) of which of which OSPAR’s Coordinated Environmental Monitoring Programme (CEMP) is based. JAMP 2006 included the monitoring of contaminants in sediment (10), blue mussel (52), dogwhelk (21), cod (10) and flatfish (10) along the coast of Norway from Oslo to Varangerfjord. The results showed elevated, in a few cases up to severely contaminated, levels of contaminants in the inner Oslofjord (PCBs, mercury and lead in cod; PCBs in blue mussel), and Sørfjord and Hardangerfjord (DDT, lead, cadmium and mercury in blue mussel; mercury and DDT in cod). The results from the remaining stations showed low or moderate levels of contamination in 2006. Considering the whole monitoring period (1984-2006), a significant upward trend was found for mercury in cod from the inner Oslofjord. A significant downward trend was found for lead in blue mussel from Sørfjord/Hardangerfjord. The “Pollution" index was between “moderate” and “marked”, a level less polluted than in 2005. The “Reference” index was between “insignificant” and “moderate” as before. Contamination of organotin in blue mussel and imposex in dogwhelk were still apparent, however, there is some indication of downward trends. The results from studies using biological effects methods in cod are also discussed.