Tilførselsprogrammet: 2010 Passive air and water sampling at Andøya, Bjørnøya and Jan Mayen, 2009-2010

Abstract

As part of the Climate and Pollution Agency (Klif) monitoring programme on fluxes of contaminants in the Barents Sea, Norwegian Sea and North Sea, passive sampling was undertaken at Andøya, Bjørnøya and Jan Mayen to measure levels of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), organochlorines (OCs) and polybrominated diphenylethers (PBDEs) in air and water. Semipermeable membrane devices and silicone strips were deployed in water for periods of 10-12 months. PAH levels in water were low, but mostly quantifiable. PCB levels were mostly below limits of detection (LOD), the latter being in the low picogram/litre range. LODs were adequate for pentachlorobenzene and hexachlorobenzene, while concentrations of hexachlorocyclohexane isomers (-HCH and -HCH) and p,p’-DDE were closer to the LOD. PBDE-47 and PBDE-99 were consistently detected. For certain compounds, it was possible to compare dissolved water concentrations to levels in the sediment and in cod liver. Results from polyurethane foam samplers (PUFs) deployed in the air are broadly consistent with results from past findings and active air samplers, yet also revealed difficulties when applying passive sampling methods in the harsh Arctic climatic conditions. Contaminant levels in air were successfully measured at the three sites using PUF air samplers. Some recommendations regarding further work are provided.