Occurence of "new" contaminants in marine biota in Greenland and the Faroe Islands

Updated 2005-10-04

In addition to the persistent organic pollutants (POPs) analysed in former monitoring projects, other compounds of concern have been identified by the international community (e.g. OSPAR, AMAP), and analytical methods have been developed. These compounds include brominated flame retardants (BFRs), phthalates, polychlorinated naphthalenes (PCNs), perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) and synthetic musk compounds. The aim of this project is to screen the marine environment of East and West Greenland and the Faroe Islands for these compounds. The analyses will be based on existing samples of pilot whale and fulmars from the Faroe Islands as well as marine sediments, shorthorn sculpins, ringed seals, minke whales from West Greenland and shorthorn sculpins, ringed seals and polar bears from East Greenland. As several trophic levels of the marine Arctic food chain are taken into account, the project will also result in information on the bioaccumulation of these compounds.

This is a National Implementation Plan (NIP) project

Time frame

Status
Completed
Project time span
2002 - 2004
Data collection
2002 - 2004
Data processing
2002 - 2004
Data reporting
2002 - 2004

Contact information

Contact person
Katrin Vorkamp
Address
NERI Frederiksborgvej 399 4000, Roskilde, Denmark
Phone
+45 46301859
Fax
+45 46301114
Email
kd.umd@ovk

Parameters and Media

Parameter groups measured/observed/modelled
Persistent organic pollutants (POPs)
Media sampled/studied/modelled
Marine fish
Marine mammals
Marine sediments
Seabirds

Geography

Regions studied
Persistent organic pollutants (POPs)

Data availability

Are data archived or planned to be archived at an AMAP Thematic Data Centre?
no
References to key publications (or planned publications) and data reports
Bossi, R., Riget, F.F., Dietz, R., Sonne, C., Fauser, P., Dam, M. & Vorkamp, K. 2005: Preliminary screening of perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) and other fluorochemicals in fish, birds and marine mammals from Greenland and the Faroe Islands. - Environmental Pollution 136(2): 323-329 Vorkamp, K., Dam, M., Riget, F.F., Fauser, P., Bossi, R. & Hansen, A.B. 2004: Screening of “new” contaminants in the marine environment of Greenland and the Faroe Islands. National Environmental Research Institute. - NERI Technical Report 525: 105 pp. (electronic). Available at: http://www2.dmu.dk/1_viden/2_publikationer/3_fagra ... orter/FR525.pdf
Samples/specimens archived in specimen banks?
Yes
Specimen banking information

www.dmu.dk

Methods & Procedures

Not specified

Additional Information

Is this a bi- AND multi-lateral project (i.e. a project involving cooperation between different countries)?
No
Other institutes involved in the project

Food and Environmental Agency, Faroe Islands

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