Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in Norwegian forest soils: impact of long range atmospheric transport

Levels of nine selected polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, PAHs, in surface soils from areas in southern and central Norway are presented. Levels in central Norway are generally low, while the southern Norway soils are about ten-fold higher with respect to 4 and 5 ring PAHs. Comparison with air quality data indicates long-range atmospheric transport to be the major source of the excess 4 and 5 ring PAHs in the south. Analyses of peat cores from ombrotrophic bogs support this assumption, and these provide a potentially useful approach for temporal studies of atmospheric PAH deposition. Analytical data for naphthalene in soils depend very much on the sampling and storage of the samples before analysis.     

Persistent organic pollutants in European background air: derivation of temporal and latitudinal trends

Data are presented for polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), polybrominated diphenyls ethers (PBDEs) and selected organochlorine compounds (OCs) in passive air samplers (PAS) along a rural/remote latitudinal transect from southern UK to northern Norway during 2002-2004. This study is part of an ongoing campaign, using semi-permeable membrane devices (SPMDs) as PAS over two year intervals since 1994. Data for PCBs, selected OCs and PBDEs are compared with that from previous campaigns. Absolute sequestered amounts of selected PCB congeners have decreased in a first order fashion between 1994-2004, with an average atmospheric clearance rate of 4.1 +/- 0.6 years and continue to fractionate with latitude. HCB has also declined between 1998-2004, with a clearance rate of 6 +/- 2.4 years. Data on DDT and its breakdown products indicate little fresh release in Europe. Comparison of PBDEs in 2000-02 and 2002-04 indicates site differences, generally with increases at UK sites and decreases in Norway. BDE-28, 47 and 49 decreased with increasing latitude (p < 0.04), while the other congeners did not show any significant latitudinal dependence. Transect data are presented for PAHs the first time. Three- and 4-ringed compounds dominated the mixture present in the SPMD. The PAH composition of the SPMDs at site 3 was compared to the average composition taken by active sampling at the same site. SPMD performance for sampling PAHs leaves many uncertainties, but they can be successfully used to semiquantitatively detect PAHs in the atmosphere. Fluorene and phenanthrene increased with latitude (p > 0.05), while 1-methylphenanthere, fluoranthene, benzo[b]fluoranthene and indeno[123-cd]pyrene decreased. Results are discussed in terms of sources, long-range atmospheric transport, global fractionation and clearance processes.     

Levels and congener pattern of PCBs in arctic fox, Alopex lagopus, in Svalbard

Levels and congener pattern of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) were determined in samples of subcutaneous fat and liver from 27 polar foxes, Alopex lagopus, caught in Svalbard during the winter 1983-1984. In all the samples analysed the composition of individual PCB congeners was studied by comparison with 12 individual PCB congeners (IUPAC nos. 28, 52, 101, 118, 138, 153, 170, 180, 183, 194, 206 and 209). In addition, the PCB congeners nos. 99, 105, 114, 156 and 157 were determined in the fat samples. In both liver and fat samples the sum PCB was calculated based on the concentrations of seven selected congeners, nos. 138, 153, 170, 180, 194, 206 and 209. These congeners were the same as those used in a corresponding investigation made on arctic fox from Svalbard 10 years earlier. The present study reveals that the PCB levels in arctic fox in Svalbard are high and essentially unchanged in the period from 1973-1974 to 1983-1984. The mean sum PCB levels in fat and liver were 8.3 +/- 11 and 0.4 +/- 0.4 microg g(-1), and the extractable fat was 81.2 +/- 8.4 and 4.5 +/- 1.7% for the two tissues, respectively. In fat, sum PCB ranged from 0.5 to 41.0 microg g(-1). PCB nos. 153 and 180 accounted for approximately 65% of sum PCB. The contributions of PCB nos. 138 and 153 to the sum PCB were found to increase from 1974 to 1984. The PCB congener pattern is similar to that found in polar bears, and is dominated by a few congeners (99, 138, 153, 170, 180 and 194). No significant differences in PCB levels were found between sexes or between age groups. However, significantly higher PCB levels were found in old animals (>/= 3 years) with less than 2 cm of fat on the ramp as compared with young animals (1-2 years) with more than 2 cm of fat on the rump. Effects on vital functions from the observed levels of PCBs cannot be excluded for the most contaminated foxes.     

Nitrogen concentrations in mosses indicate the spatial distribution of atmospheric nitrogen deposition in Europe

In 2005/6, nearly 3000 moss samples from (semi-)natural location across 16 European countries were collected for nitrogen analysis. The lowest total nitrogen concentrations in mosses (<0.8%) were observed in northern Finland and northern UK. The highest concentrations (≥1.6%) were found in parts of Belgium, France, Germany, Slovakia, Slovenia and Bulgaria. The asymptotic relationship between the nitrogen concentrations in mosses and EMEP modelled nitrogen deposition (averaged per 50 km × 50 km grid) across Europe showed less scatter when there were at least five moss sampling sites per grid. Factors potentially contributing to the scatter are discussed. In Switzerland, a strong (r² = 0.91) linear relationship was found between the total nitrogen concentration in mosses and measured site-specific bulk nitrogen deposition rates. The total nitrogen concentrations in mosses complement deposition measurements, helping to identify areas in Europe at risk from high nitrogen deposition at a high spatial resolution.     

Comparison of different multielement techniques for analysis of mosses used as biomonitors

Mosses are used as biomonitors on a regular basis to study trends in the atmospheric deposition of trace elements in Norway. In this paper the analytical scheme used so far, based on a combination of instrumental neutron activation analysis and atomic absorption spectrometry (INAA/AAS) is compared with inductively coupled plasma emission spectrometry (ICP-ES) and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). ICP-ES provided satisfactory data for nearly 20 elements, but detection limits were inadequate for some elements of importance. For ICP-MS quantitative data were obtained for 33 elements including the heavy metals of key interest in air pollution studies. In most cases where comparison was possible the ICP-MS data compared favourably with data obtained by the reference scheme or by ICP-ES. On the basis of this study ICP-MS is considered to be an equivalent alternative to INAA/AAS in multielement studies using mosses as biomonitors. In addition ICP-MS offers some promise for the study of elements such as Be, Ga, Mo, Te, Tl, and Bi, for which very little information exists regarding their behaviour as air pollutants.     

Change in levels of persistent organic pollutants in human plasma after consumption of a traditional northern Norwegian fish dish-mølje (cod,cod liver,cod liver oil and hard roe)

The traditional northern Norwegian fish dish "m?lje", consisting of boiled cod, cod liver, cod liver oil and hard roe, is still consumed frequently during the winter months January to March. The liver of the cod is rich in lipids and the levels of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) are relatively high. To better understand the short-term consequences of this traditional meal on the plasma levels of PCBs and p,p'-DDE, individual intake of liver and cod liver oil during one meal was measured. Blood samples were collected from 33 participants before the meal, and then 4 h, 12 h and 5 days after it. Lipid-weight and wet-weight levels of 10 PCB congeners and p,p'-DDE were determined in the plasma samples and the food. The plasma levels of p,p'-DDE was found to increase significantly from 0 to 4 h, both when expressed as wet-weight (35% change) and lipid-weight (20% change). The corresponding changes (0-4 h) in wet-weight levels of the most prevalent PCB congeners were non significant. By contrast, PCB congeners with low levels in the food showed a significant drop in lipid-weight levels during the first 4 h. The observed changes were independent of amount consumed. Significant differences in fasting and non-fasting samples were found for most PCBs and p,p'-DDE. For the lipid weight levels of sum PCBs there was a significant decrease of 16% from non-fasting to fasting samples. To obtain reliable data on human levels of POPs it is, on the basis of these findings, recommended that blood samples should be collected from fasting individuals and both wet-weight and lipid-weight levels should be reported.     

Environmental indicators for long-range atmospheric transported heavy metals based on national moss surveys

Environmental indicators for long-range atmospheric transported heavy metals have been developed. The indicators are based on data for Pb and Cd from national moss surveys which are performed regularly in Norway. The interpolation programme kriging has been used to transform the data from irregular grids to regular grids. Contour maps have been produced, and areas above estimated background levels for Pb and Cd in mosses have been calculated. The indicators are used to characterise the atmospheric deposition of long-range atmospheric transported heavy metals and monitor the changes with time.     

Background levels of some major,trace, and rare earth elements in indigenous plant species growing in Norway and the influence of soil acidification,soil parent material,and seasonal variation on these levels

Baseline levels of 43 elements, including major, trace, and rare earth elements (REEs) in several native plant species growing in boreal and alpine areas, are presented. Focus is placed on species metal levels at different soil conditions, temporal variations in plant tissue metal concentrations, and interspecies variation in metal concentrations. Vegetation samples were collected at Sogndal, a pristine site in western Norway, and at Risdalsheia, an acidified site in southernmost Norway. Metal concentrations in the different species sampled in western Norway are compared with relevant literature data from Norway, Finland, and northwest Russia, assumed to represent natural conditions. Except for aluminium (Al) and macronutrients, the levels of metals were generally lower in western Norway than in southern Norway and may be considered close to natural background levels. In southern Norway, the levels of cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb) in particular appear to be affected by air pollution, either by direct atmospheric supply or through soil acidification. Levels of some elements show considerable variability between as well as within plant species. Calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), and potassium (K) are higher in most species at Sogndal compared to Risdalsheia, despite increased extractable concentrations in surface soil in the south, probably attributed to different buffer mechanisms in surface soil. Antagonism on plant uptake is suggested between Ca, Mg, and K on one hand and Al on the other. Tolerance among calcifuges to acid conditions and a particular ability to detoxify or avoid uptake of Al ions are noticeable for Vaccinium vitis-idaea.     

Uptake of different forms of antimony by wheat and rye seedlings

Purpose  

The objectives of the research were to study how antimony (Sb) chemical form present in the growth medium can affect Sb uptake by plants and estimate effects of Sb on wheat and rye seedlings, in particular, assess variations in concentrations of nutrients resulting from bioaccumulation of Sb.     

Chernobyl radioactivity persists in reindeer

Transfer of 137Cs in the soil-plant/lichen-reindeer food chain was studied in central (?stre Namdal) and southern Norway (V?g?) during 2000-2003. Reindeer from these areas have been continuously subjected to countermeasure application since the 1986 Chernobyl accident. In both areas no decline in 137Cs concentrations was detectable in reindeer slaughtered in autumn since 1995, or in reindeer slaughtered in winter since 1998-1999. Seasonal differences in 137Cs concentrations in reindeer have been less pronounced in recent years, with 137Cs concentrations occasionally higher in autumn than in winter. Soil-to-plant 137Cs transfer was significantly higher in ?stre Namdal than in V?g?. Climatic influences on lichen growth and abundance, and on soil properties that influence the availability of 137Cs for plant uptake, are hypothesized to have a larger impact on long-term transfer of radiocaesium in the soil-plant/lichen-reindeer food chain than has been previously observed.