Joint Assessment and Monitoring Programme (JAMP). National Comments regarding the Norwegian Data for 2005

This report is part of the Norwegian contribution to the SIME 2007 meeting administrated by OSPAR. JAMP 2005 included the monitoring of contaminants in blue mussel (61), dogwhelk (8), cod (9) and flatfish (12) along the coast of Norway from Oslo to Bergen, Lofoten and Varangerfjord. The results indicated elevated levels of contaminants in the inner Oslofjord (PCBs, mercury and lead in cod; PCBs in blue mussel), and Sørfjord and Hardangerfjord (cadmium, lead, mercury and DDT in blue mussel, and mercury in cod). The results from the remaining stations showed low or moderate levels of contamination in 2005. Considering the whole monitoring period, significant upward trends were found for mercury in cod from the inner Oslofjord and a downward trend was found for lead in blue mussel from Sørfjord/Hardangerfjord. The “Pollution" index was between “marked” and “severe,” as it was in 2004. The “Reference” index was between “slight” and “moderate” as before. Contamination of organotin in blue mussel and imposex in dogwhelk were still apparent, however, there is some indication of downward trends. The results from studies using biological effects methods in cod are discussed.