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Vurdering av økologisk tilstand og tilgroing i Altervatn og Loddvatnet
Get PDFProsjektleder Marit MjeldeHensikten med prosjektet har vært å vurdere økologisk tilstand og tilgroing i Altervatn og Loddvatn. Samlet økologisk tilstand var dårlig for Altervatn og moderat for Loddvatn. Det bør settes i gang tiltak for å redusere næringstilførsler fra jordbruksområdene langs bekken til Altervatn. Mulige tilførsler fra nærområdene til Loddvatn bør vurderes nærmere. Begge innsjøene er omkranset av kraftige helofyttbelter. Vannstandssenkning er hoved-årsaken til tilgroingen i Loddvatn. Tilgroingen i Altervatn er muligens naturlig. Tilgroingen ser imidlertid ut til å ha stoppet opp eller går nå svært sakte i begge innsjøene. Mulige restaureringstiltak skal vurderes i en fase 2 av prosjektet, men i forkant av det anbefaler vi at det foretas en analyse av fugledata. Behovet for fiskeundersøkelser bør også vurderes.Statsforvalteren i NordlandpublishedVersio
Plastic recycling plant as a point source of microplastics to sediment and macroinvertebrates in a remote stream
Get PDFMicroplastic is now ubiquitous in freshwater, sediment and biota, globally. This is as a consequence of inputs from, for example, waste mismanagement, effluents from wastewater treatment plants and surface runoff from agricultural areas. In this study, we investigated point source pollution of plastic to an upland stream, originating from a recycling plant that recycles polyethylene film in a remote area of Norway. Sediment (~2 kg) and macroinvertebrates (549 individuals in total) were sampled at one site upstream and two sites downstream of the recycling plant to study microplastic deposition and food web uptake. In total, 340 microplastic films were identified through a combination of visual and µFTIR analysis in the sediment samples. This corresponded to a concentration of 0.23 (± 0.057) items per g sediment upstream of the plastic recycling plant and 0.45 (± 0.017) and 0.58 (± 0.34) items per g downstream. The dominant plastic polymer was polyethylene, which increased significantly downstream of the plastic recycling plant. This indicates the role of the plastic recycling plant as a point source for microplastic in this catchment. Among the three sites investigated, a fairly constant concentration of polypropylene was found, indicating a diffuse source of polypropylene films across the catchment possibly relating to low-intensity agricultural land-use. Low levels of polyethylene were also observed upstream, which may be linked to either local or longer-distance atmospheric transport. Despite the considerable presence of microplastic in sediments, concentrations in macroinvertebrates were extremely low with only a single microplastic particle identified in the total of 549 macroinvertebrates—belonging to three different feeding groups—investigated. Our study suggests that: 1) microplastic pollution can be transferred to remote areas as unintended losses from recycling facilities, 2) remote areas with limited land-use pressure still have detectable levels of microplastic and 3) microplastic is only taken up by stream macroinvertebrates to a limited degree despite relatively high sediment concentrations, and thus there are no strong indications for ecological risks posed by microplastic to this ecological group at this location.publishedVersio
Browning affects pelagic productivity in northern lakes by surface water warming and carbon fertilization
Get PDFGlobal change impacts important environmental drivers for pelagic gross primary production (GPP) in northern lakes, such as temperature, light, nutrient, and inorganic carbon availability. Separate and/or synergistic impacts of these environmental drivers on pelagic GPP remain largely unresolved. Here, we assess key drivers of pelagic GPP by combining detailed depth profiles of summer pelagic GPP with environmental and climatic data across 45 small and shallow lakes across northern Sweden (20 boreal, 6 subarctic, and 19 arctic lakes). We found that across lakes summer pelagic GPP was strongest associated with lake water temperatures, lake carbon dioxide (CO2) concentrations impacted by lake water pH, and further moderated by dissolved organic carbon (DOC) concentrations influencing light and nutrient conditions. We further used this dataset to assess the extent of additional DOC-induced warming of epilimnia (here named internal warming), which was especially pronounced in shallow lakes (decreasing 0.96°C for every decreasing m in average lake depth) and increased with higher concentrations of DOC. Additionally, the total pools and relative proportion of dissolved inorganic carbon and DOC, further influenced pelagic GPP with drivers differing slightly among the boreal, subarctic and Arctic biomes. Our study provides novel insights in that global change affects pelagic GPP in northern lakes not only by modifying the organic carbon cycle and light and nutrient conditions, but also through modifications of inorganic carbon supply and temperature. Considering the large-scale impacts and similarities of global warming, browning and recovery from acidification of lakes at higher latitudes throughout the northern hemisphere, these changes are likely to operate on a global scale.publishedVersio
Future monitoring of litter and microplastics in the Arctic – challenges, opportunities and strategies
Get PDFThe Arctic Monitoring and Assessment Programme (AMAP) has published a plan and guidelines for the monitoring of litter and microplastics (MP) in the Arctic. Here we look beyond suggestions for immediate monitoring and discuss challenges, opportunities and future strategies in the long-term monitoring of litter and MP in the Arctic. Challenges are related to environmental conditions, lack of harmonization and standardization of measurements, and long-term coordinated and harmonized data storage. Furthermore, major knowledge gaps exist with regard to benchmark levels, transport, sources and effects, which should be considered in future monitoring strategies. Their development could build on the existing infrastructure and networks established in other monitoring initiatives in the Arctic, while taking into account specific requirements for litter and MP monitoring. Knowledge existing in northern and Indigenous communities, as well as their research priorities, should be integrated into collaborative approaches. The monitoring plan for litter and MP in the Arctic allows for an ecosystem-based approach, which will improve the understanding of linkages between environmental media of the Arctic, as well as links to the global problem of litter and MP pollution.Future monitoring of litter and microplastics in the Arctic – challenges, opportunities and strategiespublishedVersio
Notodden Lufthavn - Sedimentundersøkelser i forbindelse med planlagt utfylling i Heddøla
Get PDFProsjektleder: Asle ØkelsrudI forbindelse med utvidelse av Notodden Lufthavn vil det være behov for å fylle ut deler av Heddøla. I den sammenheng har NIVA undersøkt et utvalg miljøgifter i sediment fra tre prøvetakingsstasjoner i Heddøla. Det var lave konsentrasjoner av målte miljøgifter på alle tre undersøkte stasjoner, og det var ingen målinger tilsvarende klasse III eller dårligere. Samlet sett viser undersøkelsen en lav grad av forurensing i sedimentet ved de undersøkte stasjonene i Heddøla, og økologisk risiko forbundet med de undersøkte sedimentene anses som lav.Notodden Lufthavn ASpublishedVersio
In-Sewer Stability Assessment of Anabolic Steroids and Selective Androgen Receptor Modulators
Get PDFEmbargo until 21 January 2023Wastewater-based epidemiology is a potential complementary technique for monitoring the use of performance- and image-enhancing drugs (PIEDs), such as anabolic steroids and selective androgen receptor modulators (SARMs), within the general population. Assessing in-sewer transformation and degradation is critical for understanding uncertainties associated with wastewater analysis. An electrospray ionization liquid chromatography mass spectrometry method for the quantification of 59 anabolic agents in wastewater influent was developed. Limits of detection and limits of quantification ranged from 0.004 to 1.56 μg/L and 0.01 to 4.75 μg/L, respectively. Method performance was acceptable for linearity (R2 > 0.995, few exceptions), accuracy (68–119%), and precision (1–21%RSD), and applicability was successfully demonstrated. To assess the stability of the selected biomarkers in wastewater, we used laboratory-scale sewer reactors to subject the anabolic agents to simulated realistic sewer environments for 12 h. Anabolic agents, including parent compounds and metabolites, were spiked into freshly collected wastewater that was then fed into three sewer reactor types: control sewer (no biofilm), gravity sewer (aerobic conditions), and rising main sewer (anaerobic conditions). Our results revealed that while most glucuronide conjugates were completely transformed following 12 h in the sewer reactors, 50% of the investigated biomarkers had half-lives longer than 4 h (mean residence time) under gravity sewer conditions. Most anabolic agents were likely subject to biofilm sorption and desorption. These novel results lay the groundwork for any future wastewater-based epidemiology research involving anabolic steroids and SARMs.acceptedVersio
Miljøkonsekvensvurdering av kjølevannsutslipp til Frierfjorden fra Vianode Herøya
Get PDFNy versjon av rapport 7656-2021Vianode AS søker om etablering av ny virksomhet i Herøya industripark for produksjon av karbon-baserte anoder. NIVA leverer her delutredningen på bedriftens miljøpåvirkning i Frierfjorden. Delutredningen er del i en full konsekvensutredning av omsøkte tiltak på Herøya. Beregninger viser begrenset sedimentoppvirvling fra etablering av ny utslippsledning i Frierfjorden sammenlignet med oppvirvling fra skipstrafikk i området. Oppvirvlet sediment forventes avsatt svært lokalt, og beregninger viser at biotilgjengelig fraksjon av miljøgifter i sedimentene er svært lav. Sedimentoppvirvling øker med økende utslippsdyp/rørlengde, og minst miljøbelastning i anleggsfasen vil derfor komme fra et utslipp tett opp mot kai på Herøya. Modellering av et kjølevannsutslipp fra Vianode til Frierfjorden viser bedre innblanding, og dermed lavere overtemperatur i resipienten med økende utslippsdyp. Et ferskvannsbasert system gir bedre innblanding, og dermed lavere overtemperatur i resipienten sammenlignet med et sjøvannsbasert system. Bedre innblanding og lavere overtemperatur oppnås også med økt utslippshastighet, enten ved å redusere diameteren på utslippsrøret, eller ved å øke vannraten. Et utslipp med plumen rettet oppover mot sjøoverflaten vil begrense miljøbelastningen i driftsfasen. Biologiske effekter i driftsfasen forventes da å være begrenset til små tap av i første rekke fiskeegg og larver innenfor plumens primærfortynningssone. Modelleringer viser at primærfortynningssonen vil strekke seg opptil 34m fra utslippet.publishedVersio
Land-cover, climate and fjord morphology drive differences in organic matter and nutrient dynamics in two contrasting northern river-fjord systems
Get PDFClimate and land-use changes are leading to impacts on individual ecosystems as well as shifts in transfer dynamics between interconnected systems. At the land-ocean interface, changes in riverine inputs of organic matter (OM) and nutrients have the potential to lead to shifts in coastal carbon and nutrient cycling with consequences for ecosystem structure and function. In this study, we assess OM and nutrient dynamics for two contrasting Norwegian river-to-fjord systems: a boreal system with a forested catchment draining into a narrow fjord (‘narrow boreal system’), and a subarctic system where lowland forests and mountainous regions drain into a broad fjord (‘broad subarctic system’). We characterized seasonal organic carbon and nutrient concentrations and DOM absorption properties for samples collected along transects from river to outer fjord during 2015/2016. While differences in catchment properties drove contrasts in river chemistry between the two study rivers, fjord morphology and hydrodynamics as well as dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and nutrient concentrations in marine receiving waters predicted water-chemistry patterns along the transect. The narrow boreal system, with high riverine DOC and nutrient concentrations, was structured mainly by a horizontal salinity gradient from river to outer fjord, with limited impact of seasonality. In contrast, the broad subarctic system tended to be dominated by vertical salinity stratification, with strong between-date differences in surface water salinity linked to seasonality in river discharge. These dynamics were also reflected in the strong horizontal gradients in DOC, nutrients and DOM properties in the narrow boreal system, in contrast to the broad subarctic system, where strong seasonality paired with a lack of strong contrast between riverine and marine concentrations of DOC and most nutrients led to an uncoupling between salinity and other water chemistry variables. In the narrow boreal system, terrestrial OM dominated both the particulate and dissolved OM pools, while OM in the broad subarctic system was derived primarily from marine phytoplankton. Non-linear declines in NO3 + NO2 were observed consistently in the boreal system and during the productive spring season in the subarctic system, suggesting biological uptake and a potentially important role of these rivers as sources of bioavailable N to coastal ecosystems. The results from these two case studies highlight the complex and interacting effects of catchment land-cover, river water chemistry and discharge, fjord morphometry and hydrodynamics in structuring the transport, fate and potential impacts of terrestrially-derived nutrients and organic matter in northern coastal environments.publishedVersio
The Norwegian River Monitoring Programme Priority substances and emerging contaminants in selected Norwegian rivers
Get PDFProsjektleder Øyvind KasteRiverine inputs and direct discharges to Norwegian coastal waters in 2020 have been estimated in accordance with the OSPAR Commission’s principles. This report focuses on EU Water Framework Directive priority substances as well as river basin-specific pollutants (trace metals and organic pollutants) that were monitored with bottle sampling in water. Levels observed were compared with annual average environmental quality standards (AA-EQS). A more detailed study of the distribution of emerging contaminants in the river Alna was undertaken.publishedVersio
Occurrence of tire and road wear particles in urban and peri-urban snowbanks, and their potential environmental implications
Get PDFAccording to estimates put forward in multiple studies, tire and road wear particles are one of the largest sources to microplastic contamination in the environment. There are large uncertainties associated with local emissions and transport of tire and road wear particles into environmental compartments, highlighting an urgent need to provide more data on inventories and fluxes of these particles. To our knowledge, the present paper is the first published data on mass concentrations and snow mass load of tire and polymer-modified road wear particles in snow. Roadside snow and meltwater from three different types of roads (peri-urban, urban highway and urban) were analysed by Pyrolysis Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry. Tire particle mass concentrations in snow (76.0–14,500 mg/L meltwater), and snow mass loads (222–109,000 mg/m2) varied widely. The concentration ranges of polymer-modified particles were 14.8–9550 mg/L and 50.0–28,800 mg/m2 in snow and meltwater, respectively. Comparing the levels of tire and PMB particles to the total mass of particles, showed that tire and PMB-particles combined only contribute to 5.7% (meltwater) and 5.2% (mass load) of the total mass concentration of particles. The large variation between sites in the study was investigated using redundancy analysis of the possible explanatory variables. Contradictory to previous road studies, speed limit was found to be one of the most important variables explaining the variation in mass concentrations, and not Annual Average Daily Traffic. All identified variables explained 69% and 66%, for meltwater and mass load concentrations, respectively. The results show that roadside snow contain total suspended solids in concentrations far exceeding release limits of tunnel and road runoff, as well as tire particles in concentrations comparable to levels previously reported to cause toxicity effects in organisms. These findings strongly indicate that roadside snow should be treated before release into the environment.publishedVersio