The generation of residual flows in Norway: an input-output approach

The generation of 35 different kinds of residuals is analyzed by an input-output approach for the Norwegian economy in 1970. The general tendency in the computations is that the final demand category, Export, especially export from the sectors Pulp and paper and Metals and minerals, is the main contributor of the flow of residuals generated each year.     

Wet deposition of pesticides and nitrophenols at two sites in Denmark: measurements and contributions from regional sources

The concentrations of selected pesticides, of some of their degradation products and nitrophenols in rain were measured at two stations in Denmark in the period January 2000-July 2001. Forty compounds were quantified at least at one station during at least one sampling period. Additionally 17 compounds could be detected but not quantified, and 22 compounds could not be detected at all. The highest depositions of pesticides were observed for pendimethalin and desethylterbuthylazine, which is a degradation product of terbuthylazine. The deposition of the nitrophenols 2,4-dinitrophenol, DNOC, 3-methyl-4-nitrophenol was much higher than that of pesticides. The deposition of 2,4-dinitrophenol was e.g. up to a factor of 40 higher than that of pendimethalin. Atrazine, chloridazon, 2,4-D, dieldrin, disulfoton, fenitrothion, isoproturon, lenacil, metazachlor and propachlor were found in precipitation, although these pesticides are not allowed in Denmark. It can therefore be concluded that they came from abroad and have been transported over at least 60-80 km. For some of these compounds the transport distance is much longer.     

Survival of brown trout during spring flood in DOC-rich streams in northern Sweden: the effect of present acid deposition and modelled pre-industrial water quality

Mortality and physiological responses in brown trout (Salmo trutta) were studied during spring snow melt in six streams in northern Sweden that differed in concentrations of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and pH declines. Data from these streams were used to create an empirical model for predicting fish responses (mortality and physiological disturbances) in DOC-rich streams using readily accessible water chemistry parameters. The results suggest that fish in these systems can tolerate higher acidity and inorganic aluminium levels than fish in low DOC streams. But even with the relatively low contemporary deposition load, anthropogenic deposition can cause fish mortality in the most acid-sensitive surface waters in northern Sweden during spring flood. However, the results suggests that it is only in streams with high levels of organically complexed aluminium in combination with a natural pH decline to below 5.0 during the spring where current sulphur deposition can cause irreversible damage to brown trout in the region. This study support earlier studies suggesting that DOC has an ameliorating effect on physiological disturbances in humic waters but the study also shows that surviving fish recover physiologically when the water quality returns to less toxic conditions following a toxic high flow period. The physiological response under natural, pre-industrial conditions was also estimated.     

Conflict resolution by participatory management: remote sensing and GIS as tools for communicating land-use needs for reindeer herding in northern Sweden

When seeking to resolve complex land-management issues, geographical assessment of resources that are in short supply or in dispute can aid the communication of knowledge and the understanding among and between different stakeholders. In this paper, we illustrate how remote sensing and GIS can be used to gather and compile information regarding land-use activities and patterns among reindeer herders and other land users (forestry, mining, tourism, etc) in northern Sweden. The project represents a novel user-oriented effort largely based on the work carried out by the principal end user, i.e. the reindeer herders themselves. The basis for development of land-use plans for reindeer husbandry, was the following: to collect and digitally systemize traditional ecological and landscape knowledge of reindeer habitat use; to integrate this information with results from field inventories and satellite-based vegetation classifications; to map activities of other land users. The resulting land-use plans provide information that can facilitate consultation between the reindeer herders and other stakeholders and can facilitate operational work in reindeer management. This project can serve as a model for participatory involvement and planning, bringing indigenous knowledge and advanced remote-sensing techniques together in an interactive process.     

Riverine inputs of organic carbon and nitrogen to Norwegian coastal areas

The transport of organic and inorganic material in 10 Norwegian rivers has been monitored from 1990 to 1998. The suspended material in the rivers consisted of 40-80% organic materials. A major part of this was DOC with a C/ N mole ratio > 25. The C/N ratio of the organic material increases with increasing river flow when drained from forest-dominated catchments, in contrast to mountain dominated catchments where variation in runoff does not influence the C/N ratio. Laboratory experiments showed that more than 90% of the DOC remained in solution when salinity increased to 30. The flocculated and settled material contained less than 5% organic material with a C/N ratio of 6.7-12.4, comparable to C/N ratios in cultivated soils and coastal marine sediments. This confirms that only a minor amount of organic material carried to the sea by rivers settles in the coastal zone.