NIVA Open Access Archive
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Characterization of tire and road wear microplastic particle contamination in a road tunnel: From surface to release
Get PDFRoad pollution is one of the major sources of microplastic particles to the environment. The distribution of tire, polymer-modified bitumen (PMB) and tire and road wear particles (TRWP) in different tunnel compartments were explored: road surface, gully-pots and tunnel wash water. A new method for calculating TRWP using Monte Carlo simulation is presented. The highest concentrations on the surface were in the side bank (tire:13.4 ± 5.67;PMB:9.39 ± 3.96; TRWP:22.9 ± 8.19 mg/m2), comparable to previous studies, and at the tunnel outlet (tire:7.72 ± 11.2; PMB:5.40 ± 7.84; TRWP:11.2 ± 16.2 mg/m2). The concentrations in gully-pots were highest at the inlet (tire:24.7 ± 26.9; PMB:17.3 ± 48.8; TRWP:35.8 ± 38.9 mg/g) and comparable to values previously reported for sedimentation basins. Untreated wash water was comparable to road runoff (tire:38.3 ± 10.5; PMB:26.8 ± 7.33; TRWP:55.3 ± 15.2 mg/L). Sedimentation treatment retained 63% of tire and road wear particles, indicating a need to increase the removal efficiency to prevent these from entering the environment. A strong linear relationship (R2-adj=0.88, p < 0.0001) between total suspended solids (TSS) and tire and road wear rubber was established, suggesting a potential for using TSS as a proxy for estimating rubber loads for monitoring purposes. Future research should focus on a common approach to analysis and calculation of tire, PMB and TRWP and address the uncertainties related to these calculations.publishedVersio
Tiltaksorientert overvåking av Glommas munningsområde og Hvalerestuaret for Kronos Titan AS og Borregaard AS – undersøkelse av miljøgifter, 2021
Get PDFProsjektleder/Hovedforfatter Sissel Brit RanneklevNIVA har gjennomført tiltaksorientert overvåking i Hvalerestuaret på oppdrag for Kronos Titan og Borregaard. Borregaard har utslipp av metaller og AOX, mens Kronos har utslipp av metaller og fluorid. Konsentrasjoner av metaller, fluorider og dioksiner ble målt i blåskjell og blæretang i Hvalerestuaret. I blåskjellstasjonen på Kirkøy som er nærmest Glommas munning, og Tisler som er lengst unna Glommas munning, var konsentrasjonene av kvikksølv over grenseverdi gitt i vannforskriften, og ikke god kjemisk tilstand ble oppnådd. I blåskjellstasjonen mellom Kirkøy og Tisler, Kvernskjæret, ble god kjemisk tilstand oppnådd med hensyn til kvikksølv. Konsentrasjoner av dioksiner målt i blåskjell på Kirkøy, var godt under grenseverdi gitt i vannforskriften. De andre metallene målt i biota kunne ikke klassifiseres, da det mangler grenseverdier i vannforskriften.publishedVersio
Seasonal pollutant levels in littoral high-Arctic amphipods in relation to food sources and terrestrial run-off
Get PDFIncreasing terrestrial run-off from melting glaciers and thawing permafrost to Arctic coastal areas is expected to facilitate re-mobilization of stored legacy persistent organic pollutants (POPs) and mercury (Hg), potentially increasing exposure to these contaminants for coastal benthic organisms. We quantified chlorinated POPs and Hg concentrations, lipid content and multiple dietary markers, in a littoral deposit-feeding amphipod Gammarus setosus and sediments during the melting period from April to August in Adventelva river estuary in Svalbard, a Norwegian Arctic Aarchipelago. There was an overall decrease in concentrations of ∑POPs from April to August (from 58 ± 23 to 13 ± 4 ng/g lipid weight; lw), Hg (from 5.6 ± 0.7 to 4.1 ± 0.5 ng/g dry weight; dw) and Methyl Hg (MeHg) (from 5 ± 1 to 0.8 ± 0.7 ng/g dw) in G. setosus. However, we observed a seasonal peak in penta- and hexachlorobenzene (PeCB and HCB) in May (2.44 ± 0.3 and 23.6 ± 1.7 ng/g lw). Sediment concentrations of POPs and Hg (dw) only partly correlated with the contaminant concentrations in G. setosus. Dietary markers, including fatty acids and carbon and nitrogen stable isotopes, indicated a diet of settled phytoplankton in May–July and a broader range of carbon sources after the spring bloom. Phytoplankton utilization and chlorobenzene concentrations in G. setosus exhibited similar seasonal patterns, suggesting a dietary uptake of chlorobenzenes that is delivered to the aquatic environment during spring snowmelt. The seasonal decrease in contaminant concentrations in G. setosus could be related to seasonal changes in dietary contaminant exposure and amphipod ecology. Furthermore, this decrease implies that terrestrial run-off is not a significant source of re-mobilized Hg and legacy POPs to littoral amphipods in the Adventelva river estuary during the melt season.publishedVersio
Increasing Trends of Legacy and Emerging Organic Contaminants in a Dated Sediment Core From East-Africa
Get PDFTemporal trends of industrial organic contaminants can show how environmental burdens respond to changes in production, regulation, and other anthropogenic and environmental factors. Numerous studies have documented such trends from the Northern Hemisphere, while there is very limited data in the literature from sub-Saharan Africa. We hypothesized that the temporal trends of legacy and contemporary industrial contaminants in sub-Saharan Africa could greatly differ from the regions in which many of these chemicals were initially produced and more extensively used. For this purpose, a dated sediment core covering six decades from a floodplain system in urban Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, was analysed. The samples were analysed for selected legacy persistent organic pollutants (POPs) [polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and polybrominated biphenyl ethers (PBDEs)] and chemicals of emerging concern (CECs) [alternative brominated flame retardants (aBFRs), chlorinated paraffins (CPs), and dechloranes]. All groups of chemicals showed a steep increase in concentrations towards the uppermost sediment layers reflecting the more recent years. Concentrations of the individual compound groups in surface sediment were found in the order CPs >> aBFRs ∼ ∑25PBDEs > dechloranes ∼ ∑32PCBs. Time trends for the individual compounds and compound groups differed, with ∑32PCBs showing presence in sediments since at least the early 1960s, while some CECs first occurred in sediments corresponding to the last decade. Investigations into potential drivers for the observed trends showed that socioeconomic factors related to growth in population, economy, and waste generation have contributed to increasing concentrations of PBDEs, aBFRs, CPs, and Dechlorane Plus. Further monitoring of temporal trends of industrial organic contaminants in urban areas in the Global South is recommended.publishedVersio
The ecotoxicology of marine tributyltin (TBT) hotspots: A review
Get PDFTributyltin (TBT) was widely used as a highly efficient biocide in antifouling paints for ship and boat hulls. Eventually, TBT containing paints became globally banned when TBT was found to cause widespread contamination and non-target adverse effects in sensitive species, with induced pseudohermaphroditism in female neogastropods (imposex) being the best-known example. In this review, we address the history and the status of knowledge regarding TBT pollution and marine TBT hotspots, with a special emphasis on the Norwegian coastline. The review also presents a brief update on knowledge of TBT toxicity in various marine species and humans, highlighting the current understanding of toxicity mechanisms relevant for causing endocrine disruption in marine species. Despite observations of reduced TBT sediment concentrations in many marine sediments over the recent decades, contaminant hotspots are still prevalent worldwide. Consequently, efforts to monitor TBT levels and assessment of potential effects in sentinel species being potentially susceptible to TBT in these locations are still highly warranted.publishedVersio
Forslag til variabler for økologisk kvalitet for lokaliteter av forvaltningsrelevant marin natur
Get PDFProsjektleder: Trine BekkbyDenne rapporten diskuterer og komme med forslag variabler for å fastsette økologisk kvalitet for de marine naturtypene og naturenhetene presentert i Bekkby m.fl. (2021). Alternative variabler, standardiserte kriterier og terskelverdier for tilstand og naturmangfold har blitt diskutert, og definert der dette har vært mulig. Hensikten med å fastsette lokalitetskvalitet i forbindelse med kartlegging er å få frem forskjeller i økologiske kvaliteter mellom ulike lokaliteter av samme naturenhet. Dette arbeidet har vært tett knyttet til flere avsluttede og pågående prosjekter. Det er viktig at elementene som velges som en del av økologisk kvalitet lar seg kartlegge med metodikk og utstyr som er tilgjengelige i dag, enten gjennom feltarbeid, modellering eller andre teknikker. Dette for at kartleggingen skal kunne utføres på en relativt kostnadseffektiv måte og dekke relevante områder for forvaltningen innenfor budsjettstørrelser som det er vanlig å operere innenfor i dag. Dette har faggruppen hatt i bakhodet når kriterier for lokalitetskvalitet og tilhørende trinninndeling har blitt diskutert. Rapporten er ikke en kartleggingsveileder og beskriver derfor ikke hvordan (eller når) forekomstene og variablene skal kartlegges i felt. Faggruppen forutsetter at feltkartleggere gjør seg godt kjent med definisjonene av naturenhetene og de foreslåtte variablene, basistrinnene og trinninndelingene som det finnes definisjoner og metodikk for.MiljødirektoratetpublishedVersio
Environmental Contaminants in an Urban Fjord, 2021
Get PDFProsjektleder Anders RuusThis report presents data from the first year of a new 5-year period of the Urban Fjord programme. The programme started in 2013 and has since been altered/advanced. In 2021 the programme covers sampling and analyses of stormwater, river water, effluent from a wastewater treatment plant (inputs to the fjord), fjord sediment, blue mussel, cod and (river) trout, all from the Inner Oslofjord area. A total of 260 single compounds/isomers were analysed and frequent detection was found of benzothiazoles in abiotic aqueous phases, UV-compounds in most matrices, metals in all matrices, PBDEs in biota, chlorinated paraffins in all matrices and PCBs in biota and abiotic particle phases. FourThe Norwegian Environment AgencypublishedVersio
From Molecular Descriptors to Intrinsic Fish Toxicity of Chemicals: An Alternative Approach to Chemical Prioritization
Get PDFThe European and U.S. chemical agencies have listed approximately 800k chemicals about which knowledge of potential risks to human health and the environment is lacking. Filling these data gaps experimentally is impossible, so in silico approaches and prediction are essential. Many existing models are however limited by assumptions (e.g., linearity and continuity) and small training sets. In this study, we present a supervised direct classification model that connects molecular descriptors to toxicity. Categories can be driven by either data (using k-means clustering) or defined by regulation. This was tested via 907 experimentally defined 96 h LC50 values for acute fish toxicity. Our classification model explained ≈90% of the variance in our data for the training set and ≈80% for the test set. This strategy gave a 5-fold decrease in the frequency of incorrect categorization compared to a quantitative structure–activity relationship (QSAR) regression model. Our model was subsequently employed to predict the toxicity categories of ≈32k chemicals. A comparison between the model-based applicability domain (AD) and the training set AD was performed, suggesting that the training set-based AD is a more adequate way to avoid extrapolation when using such models. The better performance of our direct classification model compared to that of QSAR methods makes this approach a viable tool for assessing the hazards and risks of chemicals.publishedVersio
Assessing Heavy Metal Pollution of the Largest Nature Reserve in Tianjin City, China
Get PDFEmbargo until June 10, 2023Beidagang Wetland (BW) Nature Reserve is centrally situated in Tianjin City, experiencing an extreme industrial development. This study uses index characteristic analysis systems for assessing the individual and combined heavy metal pollution loading in the water during the spring and autumn seasons. By combining the pollution level of single pollutant, a more comprehensive evaluation of water quality in BW was achieved. Water quality was worst during autumn due to high level of Cd and Pb, which indicate the type of anthropogenic activities have a serious effect on heavy metal pollution in BW. In addition, high exchangeable amounts of Cd (> 40%) were found in the sediments of BW, indicating Cd pollution has emerged. There is a need for appropriate abatement actions curbing heavy metal loading and improving water quality of the BW Nature Reserve, thereby ensuring a sustainable management of its ecosystem services.acceptedVersio
Analytical procedures and interpretation basis for biomarkers used in environmental effect monitoring for the water column at the Norwegian continental shelf
Get PDFProsjektleder Jonny BeyerHerein, method description documents for the biomarker parameters that are required or recommended by the current edition of the guidelines for offshore water column monitoring at the Norwegian shelf (M-300, revised version 2020) are systemised, examined and discussed. The objective of this study is to assess the quality status of open and available method and analysis descriptions, identify any significant shortages on biomarker method descriptions and method validation issues and to discuss/suggest possible correcting and improving measures.Offshore Norge (formerly NOROG, Norwegian Oil and gas)publishedVersio