Heavy metal pollution in the sea around the country is generally well below international standards, according to a new report by Matís on changes in the marine environment around the country. Heavy metals are elements that originate in nature but their concentration can increase due to human action (eg mining).
The report (Monitoring of the marine biosphere around Iceland in 2005 - 2006) states that the concentration of heavy metals such as mercury is very low. On the other hand, the concentration of cadmium has been higher in the marine environment in Iceland than in more southerly areas. However, the amount of cadmium is low in the organisms studied, for example in the range of 0.1-1 mg / kg in mussels. The high concentration of cadmium in Iceland is believed to have natural causes as there is no evidence of human-caused cadmium pollution. Thus, for example, cadmium levels in mussels are higher in various places that are far from residential areas and economic activities, such as in Mjóafjörður, than in Hvalfjörður and Straumsvík.
Matís' report presents the results of an annual monitoring project under the auspices of the Ministry of the Environment for the years 2005 and 2006. The aim of monitoring around the country is to identify changes that may occur in the concentration of trace elements in the marine environment around the country during a certain period and between different oceans and seas. coastal areas. Among other things, the research is important for the sale of Icelandic seafood in foreign markets, as it can be shown that fishing takes place in an unpolluted environment.
Various inorganic trace elements and chlor - organic substances in cod were caught in the MRI's annual spring rally in March 2006 and in mussels collected at 11 locations around the country in August / September 2005.
Research on changes in the marine environment around Iceland has been ongoing since 1989.
The report can be found here.