In a study commissioned by the Norwegian Pollution Control Authority (SFT), Akvaplan-niva has analysed the content of a number of hazardous substances in a sediment core from Ella Lake on Bear Island. Prior studies from this Arctic lake have shown extremely high levels of hazardous substances in fish and sediments.

Bjørnøya/Bear Island: Akvaplan-niva has been commissioned by SFT to analyse the content of a number of hazardous substances in a sediment core from Ella Lake on Bear Island.

Monitoring in the Arctic is important
The Arctic areas are by and large uninfluenced by local sources of hazardous substances. What we are measuring in terms of such substances in this area have been transported long distances from the industrialised countries in the south. Organic environmental toxins are accumulating in the fat-rich Arctic food chains. 

A number of studies have shown that the hazardous substances have effects on animal life. They can also have serious health-related effects on people who eat many of these animals, for example the aboriginal population groups of Greenland, Siberia, Alaska and Canada who eat substantial amounts of seal and blubber.

Results being used internationally
The results from the Arctic are being given great weight in the international negotiations concerning the measures to be taken. Monitoring of the concentrations of hazardous substances is extremely important to see whether an international ban on substances is effective, and in assessments of whether new substances should be phased out.

PCB levels dropping
The results from this new study show that the accumulation of PCBs increased up to around 1970, and that they subsequently have dropped. Around 1970 strong restrictions were placed on new uses of PCBs in a number of countries. The effect is clear in the sediment core from Ella Lake because continually lower PCB levels are being measured.

Measures against brominated flame retardants
The Norwegian action plan for the reduction of emissions of brominated flame retardants contains measures such as stricter controls with on the collection and processing of refuse, dissemination of information and the acquisition of expertise.

In line with this, Norway has adopted a ban on the sale and use of the two most dangerous brominated flame retardants: penta-BDE and octa-BDE (BromoDiphenyl Ether) beginning 1 July this year. A corresponding ban went into effect in the EU starting 15 August 2004. Norwegian environmental protection authorities are also working on assessing the consequences of a ban on the use of deca-BDE.

In addition, an SFT-led project has been started in order to reduce the emissions of brominated flame retardants in the Arctic nations (the Nordic countries, Russia, the US and Canada)

Further reading:

• Dating of sediment and historical trends of environmental toxins in Ella Lake, Bear Island (In Norwegian - 986 kb PDF file)   
• Action plan for the reduction of emissions of brominated flame retardants 

Questions may be directed to:

• SFT: Linn Bryhn Jacobsen, Consultant
  Telephone: (+47) 22 57 36 85, E-mail: linn.bryhn-jacobsen@sft.no   
• SFT: Solvår Hardeng, Senior Adviser
  Telephone: (+47) 22 57 34 64, E-mail: solvar.hardeng@sft.no   
• Akvaplan-niva: Guttorm Christensen, Scientist
  Telephone: (+47) 77 75 03 30, E-mail: guttorm.christensen@akvaplan.niva.no