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Assessment of fine and coarse tyre wear particles along a highway stormwater system and in receiving waters: Occurrence and transport
Get PDFTyre wear has been identified as a major road-related pollutant source, with road runoff transporting tyre wear particles (TWP) to adjacent soil, watercourses, or further through stormwater systems. The aim of this study was to investigate the occurrence and transport of TWP along a stormwater system. Water and sediment have been sampled at selected points (road runoff, gully pots, wells, outlet to a ditch, and stream) through a stormwater system situated along a highway in Sweden during November and December 2022, and March 2023. As there is limited data on the size distribution of TWP in different environmental media, especially in the size fraction <20 μm, the samples were fractioned into a fine (1.6–20 μm) and a coarse (1.6–500 μm) size fraction. The samples were analysed using a combination of marker compounds (benzene, α-methylstyrene, ethylstyrene, and butadiene trimer) for styrene-butadiene rubbers with PYR-GC/MS from which TWP concentration was calculated. Suspended solids were analysed in the water samples, and organic content was analysed in the sediment samples. TWP was found at nearly all locations, with concentrations up to 17 mg/L in the water samples and up to 40 mg/g in the sediment samples. In the sediment samples, TWP in the size fraction 1.6–20 μm represented a significant proportion (20–60%). Correlations were found between TWP concentration and suspended solids in the water samples (r = 0.87) and organic content in the sediment samples (r = 0.72). The results presented in this study demonstrate that TWP can be transported to the surrounding environment through road runoff, with limited retention in the studied stormwater system.publishedVersio
Towards harmonization of metal(loid)s determination in conventional and compostable plastics: Comparison of acid digestion protocols in LDPE and PBAT/TPS blends
Get PDFThe determination of metal-containing additives in plastic materials via acid digestion protocols has attracted growing interest to address potential environmental implications. However, the lack of protocol harmonization hinders data comparability within the literature. Here, six acid digestion protocols were employed to determine the metal(loid) content in plastics: these included three different acid mixtures (HNO3 combined with H2SO4, HCl or H2O2) for microwave-assisted digestion, with or without an additional room-temperature digestion step with H2O2. Each protocol was first validated for seven metal(loid)s (As, Cd, Cr, Pb, Sb, Sn and Zn) using a low-density polyethylene (LDPE) certified reference material (ERM®-EC681m). Then, validated protocols were applied on end-use materials, including conventional (i.e., LDPE) and compostable (i.e., PBAT/TPS) plastics. The combination of H2SO4 and HNO3 with a further digestion step with H2O2 was the most suitable protocol: it successfully passed validation thresholds for all metal(loid)s (recoveries in the range 98.6–101.0 %) and yielded the highest concentrations in end-use materials. All other protocols resulted in a less efficient digestion of the sample matrix, leading to lower recoveries and the formation of solid residues. Notably, end-use plastics showed a great variability in metal(loid) concentrations, likely due to their additive-rich composition, in contrast to the minimal content of acid-soluble additives of the reference material. This study represents an initial step towards the harmonization of acid digestion protocols and highlights new challenges in accurately analyzing end-use plastic materials, due to their complex additive composition.publishedVersio
Biodegradable microplastics induce profound changes in lettuce (Lactuca sativa) defense mechanisms and to some extent deteriorate growth traits
Get PDFThe development of agricultural technologies has intensified the use of plastic in this sector. Products of plastic degradation, such as microplastics (MPs), potentially threaten living organisms, biodiversity and agricultural ecosystem functioning. Thus, biodegradable plastic materials have been introduced to agriculture. However, the effects of biodegradable plastic substitutes on soil ecosystems are even less known than those of traditional ones. Here, we studied the effects of environmentally relevant concentrations of MPs prepared from a biodegradable plastic (a starch-polybutylene adipate terephthalate blend, PBAT-BD-MPs) on the growth and defense mechanisms of lettuce (Lactuca sativa) in CLIMECS system (CLImatic Manipulation of ECosystem Samples). PBAT-BD-MPs in the highest concentrations negatively affected some traits of growth, i.e., dry weight percentage, specific leaf area, and both C and N contents. We observed more profound changes in plant physiology and biochemistry, as PBAT-BD-MPs decreased chlorophyll content and triggered a concerted response of plant defense mechanisms against oxidative stress. In conclusion, exposure to PBAT-BD-MPs induced plant oxidative stress and activated plant defense mechanisms, leading to oxidative homeostasis that sustained plant growth and functioning. Our study highlights the need for in-depth understanding of the effect of bioplastics on plants.publishedVersio
Re-kartlegging av ålegrasenger og kartlegging av nye områder for restaurering i Trondheim kommune
Get PDFProsjektleder: Kristina Øie KvileRapporten beskriver resultatene av en re-kartlegging av ålegrasenger og kartlegging av nye områder for restaurering i Trondheim kommune. Ålegrasenger er viktige marine økosystemer som bidrar til biologisk mangfold, beskytter kystområder mot erosjon, forbedrer vannkvaliteten, produserer oksygen og binder karbon. Feltarbeidet ble gjennomført i august 2024, hvor undervannskamera og vannkikkert ble brukt til kartlegging av ålegras, og fysiske og kjemiske forhold som temperatur, saltholdighet, turbiditet og næringssalter ble målt. Ålegrasengene i kommunen er i dag i god eller moderat økologisk tilstand. I Gaulosen har ålegrasengene moderat økologisk tilstand og lokalitetskvalitet, hovedsakelig på grunn av grunn nedre voksegrense som tyder på dårlige lysforhold. Ålegrasengen ved Munkholmen har fått større areal og dypere voksegrense siden forrige karlegging i 2009, og har i dag god økologisk tilstand og lokalitetskvalitet. Flere mindre ålegrasforekomster ble identifisert fra Lade til kommunegrensen mot Malvik, men disse har begrenset utbredelse. Ved Væresbukta kunne et område klassifiseres som ålegraseng med moderat økologisk tilstand og lokalitetskvalitet. Leangbukta er identifisert som et potensielt område for restaurering, men miljøforholdene bør undersøkes nærmere før eventuell restaurering iverksettes.Trondheim kommunepublishedVersio
Environmental evaluation of remediation alternatives of the historically polluted Karosta Canal disposal site, Liepaja Port, Latvia
No full textProsjektleder: François ClayerPolluted sediments from the Karosta Canal (Latvia) were recently disposed into an adjacent 7 ha semi-closed basin, connected to the canal through two pipes presenting a risk of spreading contaminants. Sediments and water samples for determination of contaminants were taken from the disposal site and analyzed in an accredited laboratory in Latvia. Samples for greenhouse gases (GHG) concentration and emissions were also collected. Concentrations of metals, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH), polychlorinated biphenyl compounds (PCBs) and oil (hydrocarbons) were classified according to relevant classification systems, and all showed levels of concern. Water classification was incomplete because some limits of quantification were above class limits. The impact of different management alternatives, including capping sediment, filling up the disposal site and/or installing floating solar panels (FPV), on GHG emissions and contaminant releases to the canal were estimated through modelling. The disposal site emits 150-220 tons CO2 equivalent annually, mostly from CH4. Without capping, PCBs, PAHs, hydrocarbons, and metals releases to the canal accumulate to 193 g, 57 kg, 5 tons and 623 kg, respectively, over 100 years. Capping reduces GHG emissions by 70% and contaminant releases by several orders of magnitude. FPV lower emissions by 10% but increase contaminant release by 6%. Capping and filling minimize GHG emissions and contaminant exports. Further studies are needed for more accurate modelling results.Liepaja Special Economic Zone (LSEZ)publishedVersio
Forslag til nasjonal overvåking av flytende makroplast
Get PDFProsjektleder: France CollardPlastforurensning er en av vår tids mest alvorlige miljøutfordringer. Overvåking av plast er viktig for å kunne forstå forekomsten i miljøet og på sikt iverksette effektive tiltak mot forurensingen. Denne rapporten gir anbefalinger for oppstart og tilpasning av et program for overvåking av flytende makroplast i norske havområder. Tre ulike ambisjonsnivåer for overvåking av plast er beskrevet i detalj, henholdsvis oppstartsfase, minimumsløsning og et fullskala oppsett. Nivåene er relativt like med tanke på prøvetaking og datainnsamling. Hovedforskjellen mellom en oppstartsfase og en minimumsløsning er observasjonsfrekvensen (to eller tre ganger per år) og inkludering av et første år med «ships of opportunities» (skip som regelmessig seiler faste ruter i norske farvann og kan brukes til observasjoner). Et fullskala oppsett omfatter flere komponenter (to ekstra områder, dypdykkanalyser og utvikling av bildeanalyse) som gir data med høyere oppløsning og en mer nøyaktig identifisering av kilder.MiljødirektoratetpublishedVersio
Fish distribution shifts due to climate change in the Northeast Atlantic: Using a hierarchical filtering approach on marine-estuarine opportunist species
Get PDFMarine-estuarine opportunist (MEO) species are fish that occur in the continental shelf and use estuaries and/or shallow coastal areas as nurseries. These commercially important resources are facing significant environmental modifications caused by direct and/or indirect anthropogenic climate change effects. In this study, we investigated the directionality and the magnitude of the distribution shifts (i.e., range size, gravity centroids, and margins) in marine environment suitability for six main MEO fish species within the Northeast Atlantic expected for the end of the 21st century. In the framework of this study, we have distinguished ‘sub-boreal’ from ‘sub-tropical’ species. The ‘hierarchical filters’ concept was adopted for modelling the potential species distributions and combined the predictions of i) a bioclimatic model with ii) a habitat model. The bioclimatic model is based on large-scale and time-variant variables while variables of the habitat model are fine-grained and time-invariant. Two Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) scenarios are tested: an intermediate (SSP2-4.5) and a pessimistic one (SSP5-8.5). We applied this framework using international databases of biodiversity occurrences, ensemble forecasting producing consensual predictions, and innovative indices of distribution shifts. A visible north-westward shift was predicted for all six species in our study area. However, the northward expansion was greater for ‘sub-tropical’ than for ‘sub-boreal’ species due to faster gravity centroid displacement shifts and faster margins shifts. These range shifts may lead to major ecological impacts (e.g., changes in recruitment to estuarine and coastal nurseries, as well as changes in spawning grounds) that may alter populations' connectivity.publishedVersio
Klasseromsmodellsystem for akvaponi i utdanningen [NIVA-rapport 7930-2024]
No full textProsjektleder: Gabrielle HairabedianEnglish version of NIVA-rapport 7930-2024.This represents a classroom model system (CMS) or instructional tool for teachers to implement collaborative learning through different modules relevant to aquaponics. It can be adapted and customized as needed and utilizes aquaponics as a learning arena to explore existing global challenges. It links with the Small-Scale Urban Pilot Installation developed within the USAGE project in Norway at Natur videregående skole (Natur VGS), a high school/upper secondary school in Oslo. The Norwegian National Curriculum has provided an overall point of departure for this work along with specified subjects and curriculum at Natur VGS. The varying subject curricula selected include: Agriculture, fishing and forestry; Natural science; English; Mathematics; Agriculture and horticulture; Chemistry; and Biology. Six topical teaching and learning modules provide background information and examples of activities and discussion topics that connect to aquaponics. The modules include: Sustainability; Plant growth, health and development; Animal welfare; Water chemistry and quality; Urban farming; and Economy and business operations. Aquaponics provides an opportunity for interdisciplinary learning across many subjects and through aquaponics, there is the potential to enrich classes in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM). This CMS aims to provide standard methods for the implementation of aquaponics in teaching or as a learning arena for high school/upper secondary school classrooms in Norway.EEA/Norway Grants 2014-2021 through NCBR NOR/IdeaLab/USAGE/0004/2020publishedVersio
Hva er lurv? Er all lurv indikator for dårlig økologisk tilstand?
Get PDFProsjektleder Eli RindeVed hjelp av en systematisk gjennomgang av trådforma, opportunistiske algearters egenskaper, og vurdering av et stort bildemateriale av ulike forekomster av trådforma alger, har vi klargjort og definert begrepet lurv. Vår definisjon er; Lurv er en uformelig masse av sammenvevde fintrådige alger, der enkeltindividene er vanskelige å skille fra hverandre. Lurv dannes på grunn av ukontrollert vekst av fintrådige, opportunistiske alger, inkludert rørforma grenete og ugrenete arter, bentiske kiselalger og trådforma blågrønnbakterier, og kan forekomme både fastsittende og løstliggende. Forekomst av lurv indikerer dårlig tilstand/negativ påvirkning på økosystemet dersom den forekommer i høy tetthet (dvs. kategori vanlig eller dominerende) på fjell eller sedimentbunn, på tang, tare og ålegras, eller dersom lurven har overtatt for stedegne, flerårige habitatdannende arter. Rapporten gir oversikt over de vanlige artene som danner lurv, og kan dermed være et nyttig oppslagsverk for kartlegging av marine naturtyper i henhold til Miljødirektoratets instruks.MiljødirektoratetpublishedVersio
The Role of Coastal Yedoma Deposits and Continental Shelf Sediments in the Arctic Ocean Silicon Cycle
Get PDFThe availability of silicon (Si) in the ocean plays an important role in regulating biogeochemical and ecological processes. The Si budget of the Arctic Ocean appears balanced, with inputs equivalent to outputs, though it is unclear how a changing climate might aggravate this balance. In this study, we focus on Si cycling in Arctic coastal areas and continental shelf sediments to better constrain the Arctic Ocean Si budget. We provide the first estimate of amorphous Si (ASi) loading from erosion of coastal Yedoma deposits (30–90 Gmol yr−1), demonstrating comparable rates to particulate Si loading from rivers (10–90 Gmol yr−1). We found a positive relationship between surface sediment ASi and organic matter content on continental shelves. Combining these values with published Arctic shelf sediment properties and burial rates we estimate 70 Gmol Si yr−1 is buried on Arctic continental shelves, equivalent to 4.5% of all Si inputs to the Arctic Ocean. Sediment dissolved Si fluxes increased with distance from river mouths along cruise transects of shelf regions influenced by major rivers in the Laptev and East Siberian seas. On an annual basis, we estimate that Arctic shelf sediments recycle approximately up to twice as much DSi (680 Gmol Si) as is loaded from rivers (340–500 Gmol Si).publishedVersio