 Ecotoxicology
Understanding the transport, bioaccumulation
and toxic effects of environmental pollutants in cold regions of the
planet.
- Source-sink contaminant relationships
- Food web bio-transport
- Ecological effects
- Climate-contaminant interactions
- Monitoring tools and methodologies
The Northern regions of Scandinavia and Russia, including the Barents
Sea, face serious environmental risks and problems mainly associated
with long-range transported contaminants. Some persistent organic
pollutants (POPs), as well as a few heavy metals, have been detected in
alarmingly high concentrations in the abiotic and biotic environments of
the North. Many of these contaminants biomagnify, resulting in very high
concentrations in top predators or in humans that rely on natural
resources for subsistence.
The environmental input of organic pollutants
in the Arctic differs strongly from input into lower latitude ecosystems.
Thus, basic knowledge about this environment, adaptations and life
history strategies of the animals living in Northern Environments needs
to be specially emphasised in ecotoxicology of Northern Environments.
Akvaplan-niva is involved in studies that involve biodiversity,
physiology (adaptations) and ecotoxicology. We believe that this is a
strength that enables us to develop unique understandings of the
function of selected ecosystems. The research team has also developed
specialized methodologies for mapping and monitoring contaminated
sediments in high-latitude coastal- and harbour-areas, focusing on the
bioavailability of sediment bound contaminants as well as effects on
pelagic and benthic organisms. Akvaplan-niva continues to be a key
provider of environmental data to the Arctic Monitoring and Assessment
Program (AMAP).
Project Highlights
Main collaborators for the Ecotoxicology research
group:
- Norwegian Institute for Water Research
- Norwegian Polar Institute
- Norwegian Institute for Air Research
- Norwegian College of Fisheries Sciences, University of Tromsø
- Environment Canada
- IRIS
- Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority, Finland
- Norwegian Radiation Protection Authority
- International Atomic Energy Agency, Marine Environment
Laboratory
- Netherlands Center for Ecosystem Studies
- Gartner Lee Limited, Canada
Contact for more information
Evenset, Anita
(Cand. scient.) or
Carroll, JoLynn
(Ph.D.)
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