The project aims to describe the environmental status of marine sediments in van Mijenfjorden. This to provide baseline data of contaminants and biodiversity, as well as for monitoring of eventual contamination from industrial activities (coal mining).
Exact sampling locations not yet available (data currently with the Polish cooperation partner) 9 sites sampled in van Mijenfjord, including the following: 2 diver transects with collection of benthic fauna for contaminant analyses; sediment core sample for analysis of sedimentation rate (3 sites); sediment traps (3 sites); benthic faunal analyses (6 sites); hydrographic samples of surface water down to bottom layers (tempertaure, salinity, light and acoustic measurements (6 sites + 2 transects across the fjord); composition and quantity of zooplankton (6 sites). Samples are taken along the length of the fjord, with sampling stations in Svea Bay, in the innermost fjord basin, in the main fjord basin and off Akseløya. Contaminants analysed are in accordance with AMAP requirements
Specimens are stored at Akvaplan-niva. All taxa are individually bottled per sample replicate and stored in 70-80% ethanol for an unlimited period.
Sampling procedures and processing of biological samples are carried out in accordance with Norwegian Standard NS9423 and the relevant ICES, JAMP/OSPARCOM & HELCOM guidelines.
All samples processed at Akvaplan-niva's biological laboratory. Norwegian accreditation rules and quality assurance procedures enforced.
Cooperating laboratories are Akvaplan-niva and the Polish Institute of Oceanology (contact person Dr. Jan Marcin Weslawski).
Will report to Store Norske Spitsbergen Kullkompaniet and AMAP. Possibly other organisations later.
Relevant, but not directly related to contaminant analyses reported in Akvaplan-niva project "Contaminants in Marine Sediments". Previously registered with AMAP.
Project not yet fully financed.