NIVA Open Access Archive
Not a member yet
8416 research outputs found
Sort by
Episoder med skadelige alger og maneter i oppdrett- hva kan vi lære av erfaringer fra merdkanten
Get PDFProsjektleder Trine DaleNoen ganger forårsaker oppblomstringer av alger og maneter skadelig for akvakulturvirksomhet og forårsaker fiskedød og redusert fiskevelferd. Et ferskt eksempel er oppblomstringen av Chrysochromulia leadbeateri i 2019 som forårsaket massiv fiskedød og store tap for de oppdretterne som ble berørt. Det er en bekymring for at havbruksnæringen vil oppleve økte problemer med skadelige alger og maneter i fremtiden grunnet klimaendringer. Et steg på veien mot et system som kan bidra til å forebygge og håndtere episoder med skadelige alger og maneter er å sammenstille eksisterende kunnskap, både den som finnes i forsknings- og teknologimiljøene og den som næringen selv besitter. I dette prosjektet har vi samlet vitenskapelig og erfaringsbasert kunnskap om hvordan skader grunnet alger og maneter kan forebygges og håndteres, og laget en prototype på et brukervennlig verktøy som tilgjengeliggjør dette kunnskapsgrunnlaget. Vi har innhentet erfaringsbasert kunnskap gjennom dybdeintervjuer med oppdrettere og fiskehelsepersonell fra Norge, Chile, Canada og UK. Her rapporteres resultatene fra disse intervjuene herunder respondentenes beskrivelser av hvordan episoder med skadelige alge og manetoppblomstringer arter seg, deres erfaringer med ulike avbøtende tiltak og hvordan disse har virket, tanker omkring hvordan man kan bygge beredskap for fremtiden.FHF – Fiskeri- og havbruksnæringens forskningsfinansieringpublishedVersio
The Norwegian Environment Agency (NEA) aims to strengthen environmental monitoring of macroplastic and litter pollution in Norway. Macroplastic and litter are items above 25 mm. Monitoring of litter in the Northern Fulmar is included (1-25 mm) as this is an established indicator representing biota. The other environmental compartments covered in this report are coastal waters, oceans, lakes, rivers, and terrestrial environments. This report identifies international obligations and national needs
Get PDFProsjektleder Jannike Falk-AnderssonThe Norwegian Environment Agency (NEA) aims to strengthen environmental monitoring of macroplastic and litter pollution in Norway. Macroplastic and litter are items above 25 mm. Monitoring of litter in the Northern Fulmar is included (1-25 mm) as this is an established indicator representing biota. The other environmental compartments covered in this report are coastal waters, oceans, lakes, rivers, and terrestrial environments. This report identifies international obligations and national needs for knowledge on litter, reviews international harmonisation efforts for monitoring of litter and evaluates their technological readiness levels for implementation in monitoring programs. Data availability, on-going monitoring activities and initiatives that could contribute to collecting data on litter in Norway is mapped, and the cost of expanding existing monitoring is evaluated. Based on this mapping recommendations are given on how monitoring of macroplastic and litter could be strengthened in the future in Norway.Norwegian Environment AgencypublishedVersio
The economic costs, management and regulation of biological invasions in the Nordic countries
Get PDFA collective understanding of economic impacts and in particular of monetary costs of biological invasions is lacking for the Nordic region. This paper synthesizes findings from the literature on costs of invasions in the Nordic countries together with expert elicitation. The analysis of cost data has been made possible through the InvaCost database, a globally open repository of monetary costs that allows for the use of temporal, spatial, and taxonomic descriptors facilitating a better understanding of how costs are distributed. The total reported costs of invasive species across the Nordic countries were estimated at values) with damage costs significantly outweighing management costs. Norway incurred the highest costs (2.20 billion), Sweden (1.11 billion) and Iceland ($25.45 million). Costs from invasions in the Nordics appear to be largely underestimated. We conclude by highlighting such knowledge gaps, including gaps in policies and regulation stemming from expert judgment as well as avenues for an improved understanding of invasion costs and needs for future research.publishedVersio
Integrative taxonomy of a new cocculinid limpet dominating the Aurora Vent Field in the central Arctic ocean
Get PDFDeep-sea hydrothermal vents host lush chemosynthetic communities, dominated by endemic fauna that cannot live in other ecosystems. Despite over 500 active vents found worldwide, the Arctic has remained a little-studied piece of vent biogeography. Though located as early as 2001, the faunal communities of the Aurora Vent Field on the ultra-slow spreading Gakkel Ridge remained unsampled until recently, owing to difficulties with sampling on complex topography below permanent ice. Here, we report an unusual cocculinid limpet abundant on inactive chimneys in Aurora (3883–3884 m depth), describing it as Cocculina aurora n. sp. using an integrative approach combining traditional dissection, electron microscopy, molecular phylogeny, and three-dimensional anatomical reconstruction. Gross anatomy of the new species was typical for Cocculina, but it has a unique radula with broad, multi-cuspid rachidian where the outermost lateral is reduced compared to typical cocculinids. A phylogenetic reconstruction using the mitochondrial COI gene also confirmed its placement in Cocculina. Only the second cocculinid found at vents following the description of the Antarctic Cocculina enigmadonta, this is currently the sole cocculinid restricted to vents. Our discovery adds to the evidence that Arctic vents host animal communities closely associated with wood falls and distinct from other parts of the world.publishedVersio
Unlocking India’s Potential in Managing Endocrine-Disrupting Chemicals (EDCs): Importance, Challenges, and Opportunities
Get PDFEndocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) are a prime concern for the environment and health globally. Research shows that in developing countries such as India both the environment and human populations are severely exposed to EDCs and consequently experience rising incidents of adverse health effects such as diabetes and cancers. In this paper, we discuss the current EDC management approach in India, critically assess its limitations, and describe opportunities for potential improvements. Foremost, current EDC management actions and interventions in India are fragmented and outdated, and far behind the modern and comprehensive approaches adopted in the European Union and other developed countries. Strong and well-planned actions are required on various fronts of science, policy, commerce, and public engagement. These actions include the adoption of a dedicated and modern regulatory framework for managing EDCs, enhancing capacity and infrastructure for EDC monitoring in the environment and human population, employing public–private partnership programs for not only managing EDCs but also in the sectors that indirectly contribute toward the mismanagement of EDCs in the country, and raising awareness on EDCs and promoting health-preserving consumption habits among the public. As India hosts a large proportion of the global human population and biodiversity, the success or failure of its actions will substantially affect the direction of global efforts to manage EDCs and set an example for other developing countries.publishedVersio
Mapping of contamination problem areas in Europe’s seas using a multi-metric indicator-based assessment tool
Get PDFWe report identification and mapping of areas in Europe’s seas and coastal areas impacted by contaminants, i.e., areas with concentrations above internationally agreed threshold values. The study is based on (1) a state-of-the-art data set anchored in national monitoring activities, (2) internationally agreed target values and (3) an updated version of the CHASE assessment tool (originally: the HELCOM Chemical Status Assessment Tool). The spatial cover of data enabled us to classify 1,518 spatial assessment units, with 80% of the area assessed determined to be “problem areas”. We have demonstrated that it is possible to make an integrated assessment of contaminants spanning over four marine regions, and 10 marine sub-regions (sensu the EU Marine Strategy Framework Directive), including marine and coastal waters of 30 European countries. The power of combining data of different sources and contaminant categories over larger geographical scales, is potentially and in a long-term perspective the way forward for wider use of multi-metric indicator-based assessment tools supporting informed decision-making.publishedVersio
Polar organic chemical integrative samplers as an effective tool for chemical monitoring of surface waters – Results from one-year monitoring in France
Get PDFEmbargoed until 18.02.2024In an effort to support European Union Water Framework Directive goals, we have set up a national demonstrator project to identify the advantages and limitations of passive samplers for regulatory monitoring of polar contaminants in surface waters. Here we carried out successive 14 day-deployments of polar organic chemical integrative samplers (POCIS) for one year at three sites. In parallel, we used the passive sampler deployment/retrieval operations to collect spot water samples for comparative analysis. We observed that frequency of quantification was significantly higher in POCIS than spot samples for 29 contaminants, similar for 15, and lower for one, because POCIS lowered the limits of quantification for most contaminants (median value factor of 11). We built a database of sampling rates (Rs) according to quality indices to convert concentrations in POCIS to concentrations in water (23 contaminants with a high-quality median Rs value, 20 with an approximate Rs and two with no usable Rs). Several phenomena were observed over one-year monitoring period. For example, after a flood episode, dilution phenomenon in rivers is correctly observed by using POCIS sampling whereas significant concentration increased due to soil leaching is observed with both passive and spot sampling. Cases of episodic contamination that were missed by spot sampling were observed with POCIS as it was able to capture contamination of short duration but sufficient intensity. Contamination by pharmaceuticals was found to come from wastewater treatment plant discharges and showed relatively little variation over the course of the year in both POCIS and spot samples. POCIS enables more reliable annual monitoring of pesticide and pharmaceutical contamination than spot sampling. Furthermore, POCIS also improves the environmental quality standards based assessment of chemical status and on annual average concentrations compared to spot sampling. This study demonstrates the value and practicability of POCIS-based chemical monitoring for use in regulatory control networks.acceptedVersio
Small circles: The role of physical distance in plastics recycling
Get PDFEmbargo until 04.04.2024Circular economy (CE) strategies are central in solving the waste management challenges of today, yet the global nature of the waste trade results in emissions and the export of negative environmental externalities to low-income countries. Here, we target a systemic challenge in the current indicators developed to measure more sustainable consumption and production progress. We argue that sustainable, circular solutions to recycling need to account for the negative externalities caused by the physical distance of the waste trade. We define the new concept “Small Circles” (SC) and suggest a new circularity indicator that can better ensure sustainability in implementing closed-loop strategies and thereby provide critical criteria to consider in pursuing CE. The SC approach advocates the need to manage the waste within a smaller geographical area of its origin to reduce the environmental burdens originating from the transboundary export of waste. Further, it ensures that the waste-producing regions take responsibility for their waste generation and management. If implemented appropriately, we argue that the SC approach could improve the transparency of the fate of waste and boost local opportunities through job creation and allow for the development of symbiotic relations among regional industries. The SC concept demands commitment from all stakeholders across the product value chain to extract value from the waste without jeopardizing sustainability goals. The application of the SC concept is explained by describing the sustainability challenges and opportunities related to plastic waste management in Europe. To concretize the SC approach and the circularity indicator further, the management of the plastic waste sourcing from the Norwegian fishing sector and plastic waste management in the US are used as case examples.acceptedVersio
Arctic Inshore Biogeochemical Regime Influenced by Coastal Runoff and Glacial Melting (Case Study for the Templefjord, Spitsbergen)
Get PDFObservations and predictions show that consequences of climate warming such as declining summer sea ice cover, melting glaciers, thawing permafrost, and increased river runoff to the Arctic Ocean will likely modify processes relevant to the freshwater and carbon budget, which in turn affect high-latitude marine ecosystems. There is a knowledge gap in terms of understanding the seasonal variability of biogeochemical characteristics in coastal environments, first of all due to a lack of winter data. More data are also needed on the biogeochemical composition of different environmental media, i.e., sediments, snow, and ice. The aim of this work was to assess the current biogeochemical regime of a fjord system exposed to coastal runoff and glacial melting and discuss the possible consequences connected with climate warming. We used data from five expeditions to the Templefjord, West Spitsbergen, obtained in different seasons (February 2011, September 2011, March 2014, June 2015, and June 2017). In all the expeditions, the distributions of dissolved oxygen, nutrients, and carbonate system parameters in the water column were studied. The principal environmental media, i.e., seawater, bottom sediments, river water, sea ice, river ice, glacier ice, and snow, were sampled. The collected data allowed us to describe seasonal dynamics in the water column and to estimate the concentrations of the parameters under study in different environmental media. Our observations revealed the glacial and river footprints in the water column biogeochemistry; the glacial influence can be traced both in summer and in winter season. The results demonstrated the significant influence of coastal runoff and melted glacier water on the carbonate system and nutrient regime in the Templefjord, and can be extrapolated to other Arctic fjord systems.publishedVersio
Sammenlignende laboratorieprøving (SLP) – Industriavløpsvann SLP 2262
Get PDFProsjektleder Tina BryntesenVed en sammenlignende laboratorieprøving (SLP) arrangert i januar – mars 2022 deltok 74 laboratorier i bestemmelse av pH, suspendert stoff (tørrstoff og gløderest), sum organisk stoff (biokjemisk oksygenforbruk, kjemisk oksygenforbruk, totalt organisk karbon), totalfosfor, totalnitrogen og tolv metaller i syntetiske vannprøver. Ved denne SLPen, som har sitt utgangspunkt i Miljødirektoratets og fylkesmennenes kontroll med industriutslipp, er 85 % av resultatene ansett som akseptable. Kvalitetsnivået har over flere år holdt seg stabilt, med rundt 85 % akseptable resultater. De fleste parameterne viste en kvalitet som var sammenlignbar med de seneste SLPer.publishedVersio