Atmospheric transport of pollutants to the Barents Sea
Last updated 23 February 2022
The transport of environmental pollutants to the Barents Sea occurs primarily by means of air and ocean currents, but inflows from rivers, run-off from land and transport by ice also contribute.
What is being monitored?
Pollution in air in Svalbard
The graph shows atmospheric hexachlorobenzene (HCB) recorded at the measuring station on Zeppelinfjellet in Svalbard.
(Cite these data: NILU – Norwegian Institute for Air Research (2022). HCB in the atmosphere in Svalbard. Environmental monitoring of Svalbard and Jan Mayen (MOSJ). URL: https://mosj.no/en/influence/pollution/pollution-air-pops.html)
The graph shows the annual mean concentration of atmospheric PAHs recorded at the measuring station on Zeppelinfjellet in Svalbard.
(Cite these data: NILU – Norwegian Institute for Air Research (2022). PAHs in the atmosphere in Svalbard. Environmental monitoring of Svalbard and Jan Mayen (MOSJ). URL: https://mosj.no/en/influence/pollution/pollution-air-pops.html)
The graph shows the annual mean concentration of atmospheric PCBs recorded at the measuring station on Zeppelinfjellet in Svalbard.
(Cite these data: NILU – Norwegian Institute for Air Research (2022). PCBs in the atmosphere in Svalbard. Environmental monitoring of Svalbard and Jan Mayen (MOSJ). URL: https://mosj.no/en/influence/pollution/pollution-air-pops.html)
The graph shows the annual mean concentration of atmospheric PFAS compounds (PFOSA, PFOS and PFOA) recorded at the measuring station on Zeppelinfjellet in Svalbard.
(Cite these data: NILU – Norwegian Institute for Air Research (2022). PFOSA, PFOS and PFOA in the atmosphere in Svalbard. Environmental monitoring of Svalbard and Jan Mayen (MOSJ). URL: https://mosj.no/en/influence/pollution/pollution-air-pops.html)
The graph shows the annual mean concentration of atmospheric mercury (Hg) and lead (Pb) recorded at the measuring station on Zeppelinfjellet in Svalbard.
(Cite these data: NILU – Norwegian Institute for Air Research (2022). Mercury and lead in the atmosphere in Svalbard. Environmental monitoring of Svalbard and Jan Mayen (MOSJ). URL: https://mosj.no/en/influence/pollution/pollution-air-pops.html)
Details on these data
Last updated | 23 February 2022 |
Update interval | Yearly |
Next update | March 2024 |
Commissioning organization | Norwegian Environment Agency |
Executive organization | Norwegian Institute for Air Research (NILU) |
Contact persons | Eldbjørg S. Heimstad Pernilla Bohlin Nizetto Katrine A. Pfaffhuber |
Method
A high volume air sampler is employed with different kinds of filter depending on the component. The analytical technique is mainly GC/MS, but LC/MS-ESI is used for HBCD. Details regarding detection limits and methods are in the annual report from the Norwegian Climate and Pollution Agency (see the reference). Results are reported on a weekly basis, and samples are taken over a period of 48 hours. Brominated substances are sampled weekly over a period of 72 hours.
The data coverage is incomplete because monitoring only takes place 2/3 days a week, which means that some episodes will not be detected. However, it is believed that the annual average reflects the load of such pollutants in Svalbard.
One two-day sample (48 hours) to be taken per week. Sampling of air for analysis of heavy metals in particles is performed using a Digitel high-volume sampler without a size-specific impactor. The air flow rate is 20 m3/h. The filters (Whatman 41) are digested using nitric acid/hydrogen peroxide in a microwave oven. The detection limit is 0.055 ng/m3.
Quality
The most established methods for monitoring pollutants are based on standard methodology (e.g. EMEP manual from 1995, revised 2001).
NILU’s laboratories are accredited in accordance with the following standards:
- ISO certified in accordance with NS-EN ISO 9001:2000
On 22 December 2006, Teknologisk institutt Sertifisering AS awarded NILU the ISO certificate, NS EN ISO 9001:2000, certificate number 580, for the production and delivery of research-based services and products on environment-related topics. The certificate is revised annually. - NS-EN ISO/IEC 17025
NILU’s laboratories (organic and inorganic chemical analysis, instrument use and sampling) are accredited in accordance with NS-EN ISO/IEC 17025. The accreditation number is TEST 008. - NILU is the national reference laboratory for air
In 2001, the Norwegian Pollution Control Authority appointed NILU as the national reference laboratory for air in Norway.
NILU takes part annually in various proficiency testing schemes and SLP’s, nationally and internationally.
Other metadata
The methods and other relevant metadata are described in the annual reports from the Norwegian Climate and Pollution Agency (e.g. 1099/2011) and a brief description is cited along with the data in the official national and international database at NILU, EBAS.
Reference level and action level
The reference level is the “natural background level”. In practice, this means that synthetic man-made substances should not be identified in the analyses. The action level will be an increase in the level over a certain number of years or a larger increase over a shorter period.
Status and trend
In 2018, the concentrations of PCBs, PAHs and most pesticides measured in the air at Zeppelin were slightly lower than in previous years. There has been a continued downward trend. The levels of brominated flame retardants (PBDE) vary from year to year, and no clear trends are discernible. PFASs and HBCD are mainly below the analytical detection level, in other words, below the concentration at which the compound can be measured, and no clear trends can be discerned.
Levels of the pesticide HCB showed an increasing trend from the early 2000s to 2015, but then exhibited a downward trend in 2016-2018. The annual mean concentration of HCB at Zeppelin in 2018 (63 pg/m3) is the lowest that has been measured since 2003.
The annual mean concentration of atmospheric PAHs showed a clear downward trend from 1998 to 2006. Since then, the levels have been relatively stable, with some annual variations. Elevated levels in 2013 and 2014 are mainly due to individual episodes of high levels. Since then (2015-2018), the levels have declined.
The long-term trend for atmospheric PCBs at the Zeppelin Observatory is for levels to have decreased, but there are also variations from year to year.
Most of the PFAS compounds measured in Svalbard are below the analytical detection level. In other words, the levels are so low that they are not measurable. PFOS, PFOSA and PFOA are the compounds that are measured above the detection level more than any others. The concentrations vary from year to year and no clear trend can be discerned.
There has been a slight decrease in atmospheric mercury levels in Svalbard since 2000. This tallies with observations at lower latitudes. However, at lower latitudes, the decline has been clearer.
The concentration of lead has fallen by 30 percent at the Zeppelin Observatory since measurements began in 1994. Lower lead levels correlate with significantly reduced emissions in Europe and North America, following the banning of lead in petrol in Western countries. However, emissions in Asia have increased sharply.
The level of mercury measured in the air in Svalbard varies throughout the year. In winter, contaminated air is transported from western, central and eastern regions of Europe northwards, resulting in higher levels of atmospheric mercury in Svalbard. The levels are also high in summer. This is due to the evaporation of mercury from the ocean, as a result of the sea ice melting.
In the spring, there are periods when atmospheric mercury levels are greatly reduced. This is due to processes in the atmosphere that convert mercury into more reactive compounds that are deposited on the ground, the ice or the ocean surface. The majority of the mercury will evaporate back into the atmosphere.
A small proportion will end up in sediments, the soil, lakes and in the ocean. Algae and bacteria can convert mercury into highly toxic methylmercury, which is how the mercury enters the food chain. Methylmercury is bioaccumulated through the food chain. Fish and mammals high up in the food chain may have high concentrations of methylmercury in their bodies through their food intake.
Causal factors
The concentrations of airborne pollutants in Svalbard are affected by emissions of pollutants in different parts of the world, with Europe and Asia making the greatest contributions. The concentrations are also affected by climatic conditions that impact the atmospheric modes of transport.
Consequences
Climate change with increased temperatures is expected to cause intensified dispersal of pollutants globally. The melting of sea ice and thawing of permafrost may cause the remobilisation and evaporation of pollutants into the atmosphere in the Arctic. Large forest fires and cropland burning have been shown to increase the transport of organic pollutants to the Arctic. Increased local industrialisation (such as oil and gas activities and mining) and shipping in the High North may contribute to increased transport of some of the pollutants measured in the air in Svalbard.
The transport and levels of many of the pollutants measured in the air in Svalbard have continued to fall, but for some pollutants there have been slight increases in recent years. Causes are assumed to be continued use of environmental pollutants in different parts of the world, and pollutants being released from previous deposition in the environment by rising temperatures. The mercury levels remained unchanged for a long time, but have shown a decline since 2007.
About the monitoring
The indicator describes atmospheric transport of pollutants to the Barents Sea. The Zeppelin Observatory in Ny-Ålesund in Svalbard has long time series from the 1990s of transport of the following pollutants:
– heavy metals: mercury, lead, cadmium, copper, arsenic.
– organic compounds: PAHs (38 components), PCBs (32 components).
– pesticides: DDT (6 components), chlordane (4 components), HCHs (2 components) and HCB.
Since 2006, brominated flame retardants and PFASs have also been included: PBDEs (16 components), HBCD (3 components) and PFASs (13 components).
The monitoring is performed as part of the “Long-range transported pollutants in air and precipitation” programme under the Norwegian Environment Agency. The Norwegian Institute for Air Research (NILU) performs the monitoring and also contributes results from its own measurement programme.
Places and areas
Relations to other monitoring
Monitoring programme
International environmental agreements
- European Monitoring and Evaluation Programme (EMEP) under the Convention on Long-range Transboundary Air Pollution (LRTAP)
- Comprehensive Atmospheric Monitoring Programme (CAMP) under the OSPAR Convention
- Some data are also reported to the EU European Environment Agency (EEA)
Voluntary international cooperation
- Arctic Monitoring and Assessment Programme (AMAP) under the Arctic Council
- Global Atmospheric Watch (GAW) under the World Meteorological Organization (WMO)
Related monitoring
Other
- EBAS – Observation data of atmospheric chemical composition and physical properties
The monitoring covers more components than those included in MOSJ. The measurements are, moreover, undertaken more frequently than the average annual values reported to MOSJ. Those who wish to learn more can access the annual reports of the monitoring (see the references), search directly in the database or contact NILU.
Further reading
Links
- Thematic pages on environmental contaminants
- Norwegian Institute for Air Research (NILU) measurements at the Zeppelin Observatory
- Comprehensive Atmospheric Monitoring Programme (CAMP)
- NILU environmental monitoring
- The entire monitoring programme involves 19 stations. Five of these, including the Zeppelin Station, form part of the EMP programme (European Monitoring and Evaluation Programme) under the UN Convention on Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution.
- EMEP Chemical co-ordination centre (CCC)
- Portal for the network of monitoring stations in Europe, with access to data, protocols, reports etc.
Publications
- Aas, W., Solberg, S., Manø, S., & Yttri, K. E. (2011). Overvåking av langtransportert forurenset luft og nedbør. Atmosfærisk tilførsel, 2010. NILU OR 29/2011. (Klif rapport nr 1099/2011).
- Aas, W., & Breivik, K. (2011). Heavy metals and POP measurements, 2009. EMEP/CCC-Report 3/2011.
- Arctic Monitoring and Assessment Programme (AMAP) 2010. AMAP Assessment 2009: Persistent Organic Pollutants in the Arctic. Science of the Total Environment Special Issue. 408:2851–3051.
- Hung, H., Kallenborn, R., Breivik, K., Su, Y., Brorström-Lundén, E., Olafsdottir, K., … & Fellin, P. (2010). Atmospheric monitoring of organic pollutants in the Arctic under the Arctic Monitoring and Assessment Programme (AMAP): 1993–2006. Science of the Total Environment, 408(15), 2854-2873. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2009.10.044.
- Ma, J., Hung, H., Tian, C., & Kallenborn, R. (2011). Revolatilization of persistent organic pollutants in the Arctic induced by climate change. Nature Clim Change 1, pp. 255–260. https://doi.org/10.1038/nclimate1167.
- Nizzetto, P., Aas, W., & Krogseth, I.S. (2014). Monitoring of environmental contaminants in air and precipitation, annual report 2013. Miljødirektoratet report no M- 202/2014.
- Wilson, S., Hung, H., Katsoyiannis, A., Kong, D., Oostdam, J.V., Riget, F., & Bignert, A. (2014). Trends in Stockholm Convention Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) in Arctic Air, Human media and Biota. AMAP Technical Report No. 7 (2014). Arctic Monitoring and Asessment Programme (AMAP), Oslo. 54 pp.