Tag: Blue mussel

Reports

Pollution monitoring in the marine environment around Iceland 2011 and 2012 / Monitoring of the marine biosphere around Iceland 2011 and 2012

Published:

01/08/2013

Authors:

Hrönn Jörundsdóttir, Natasa Desnica, Þuríður Ragnarsdóttir, Helga Gunnlaugsdóttir

Supported by:

Ministry for the Environment and Natural Resources & Ministry of Industries and Innovation

Pollution monitoring in the marine environment around Iceland 2011 and 2012 / Monitoring of the marine biosphere around Iceland 2011 and 2012

This report presents the results of an annual monitoring project funded by the Ministry of the Environment and Natural Resources, as well as the Ministry of Industry and Innovation. The purpose of this monitoring is to fulfill Iceland's obligations under the Oslo and Paris Agreements (OSPAR), as well as the AMAP (Arctic Monitoring Assessment Program). The data are part of Iceland's contribution to the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) database. The Marine Research Institute collects samples and Matís oversees the preparation of samples and measurements of trace elements in the marine environment. The samples are measured at Matís and at the University of Iceland Laboratory of Pharmacology and Toxicology. Various inorganic trace elements and chloro-organic substances were measured in cod caught in Hafró's annual spring rally in March 2012 and in mussels collected at 11 locations around the country in August / September 2011. Monitoring in the marine environment around Iceland began in 1989 and samples are collected once a year. for a year and worked according to international sampling instructions. The data is collected in a database, the report provides overview images for some of the materials monitored. Cadmium is regionally higher in Icelandic mussels compared to mussels from other countries. The results show changes in the pattern of chlorine organic matter in mussels collected near Hvalstöðin in Hvalfjörður in September 2011. The concentration of chlorine organic substances increased in 2009 and 2010 but decreased in samples from 2011 and has become comparable to the concentration measured before 2009. The concentration of DDEs is however, it was higher than before 2009. There were no visible changes in the concentration of these substances at the mussel collection point at Hvammsvík in Hvalfjörður or at any other collection site around the country that was studied in 2011. It is important to monitor these changes in the pattern of chlorine organic matter in mussels. in the monitoring project in the coming years to see how they change. A detailed statistical analysis of the data is in progress, i.e. Scientific methods can be used to estimate the increase or decrease of pollutants in the marine environment in Iceland.

This report contains results of the annual monitoring of the biosphere around Iceland in 2011 and 2012. The project, overseen by the Environment Agency of Iceland, is to fulfill the OSPAR (Oslo and Paris agreement) and AMAP (Arctic Monitoring Assessment Program) agreements. The project was funded by the Ministry of the Environment and Natural Resources as well as the Ministry of Industries and Innovation. The data obtained is a part of Iceland's contribution to the ICES databank (ices.dk). The collection of data started 1989. Matís is the coordinator for marine biota monitoring and is responsible for methods relating to sampling, preparation and analysis of samples. The samples were analyzed at Matís and the Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology at the University of Iceland. Trace metals and organochlorines were analyzed in cod (Gadus morhua) caught in March 2011 and in blue mussel (Mytilus edulis) collected from 11 sites in August / Sept 2011. Marine monitoring began in Iceland 1989 and the sampling is carried out according to standardized sampling guidelines. Changes were observed in the organochlorine concentration patterns in blue mussels collected year 2011 at the sampling site Hvalstod in Hvalfjordur. The concentration of organochlorines increased in the years 2009 and 2010 but decreased in the samples from 2011 and is in line with the concentration of organohalogens in mussels before 2009. No noteworthy increase in organochlorine concentrations was however observed in blue mussels obtained at Hvammsvík in Hvalfjordur nor any of the other sample sites studied year 2011. These results need to be followed up in the annual monitoring of the biosphere around Iceland next year to see if this change in contaminant concentration pattern continues. A thorough statistical evaluation is on ‐ going on all the available data from this monitoring program to analyze spatial and temporal trends of pollutants in the Icelandic marine biosphere.

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Reports

Monitoring of the marine biosphere around Iceland 2010 and 2011 / Pollution monitoring in the marine environment around Iceland 2010 and 2011

Published:

01/07/2012

Authors:

Hrönn Jörundsdóttir, Natasa Desnica, Þuríður Ragnarsdóttir, Helga Gunnlaugsdóttir

Supported by:

Ministry of the Environment and Ministry of Fisheries and Agriculture

Contact

Natasa Desnica

Research Group Leader

natasa@matis.is

Monitoring of the marine biosphere around Iceland 2010 and 2011 / Pollution monitoring in the marine environment around Iceland 2010 and 2011

This report presents the results of an annual monitoring project funded by the Ministry of the Environment and the Ministry of Fisheries and Agriculture. The purpose of this monitoring is to fulfill Iceland's obligations under the Oslo and Paris Agreements (OSPAR), as well as the AMAP (Arctic Monitoring Assessment Program). The data is part of Iceland's contribution to the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) database. The Marine Research Institute collects samples and Matís oversees the preparation of samples and measurements of trace elements in the marine environment. The samples are measured at Matís and at the University of Iceland Laboratory of Pharmacology and Toxicology. Various inorganic trace elements and chloro-organic substances were measured in cod caught in Hafró's annual spring rally in March 2011 and in mussels collected at 11 locations around the country in August / September 2010. Monitoring in the marine environment around Iceland began in 1989 and samples are collected once a year. for a year and worked according to international sampling instructions. The data is collected in a database, the report provides overview images for some of the materials monitored. Cadmium is regionally higher in Icelandic mussels compared to mussels from other countries. The results show changes in the pattern of chlorine organic matter in mussels collected near Hvalstöðin in Hvalfjörður in September 2010 which are comparable to results from the same place since 2009. There were no visible changes in the concentration of these substances at the mussel collection point at Hvammsvík in Hvalfjörður or at any another collection site around the country that was studied in 2010. It is important to monitor these changes in the pattern of the concentration of chloro-organic substances in mussels in the monitoring project in the coming years to see if they are still present. A detailed statistical analysis of the data is in progress, i.e. Scientific methods can be used to estimate the increase or decrease of pollutants in the marine environment in Iceland.  

This report contains results of the annual monitoring of the biosphere around Iceland in 2010 and 2011. The project, overseen by the Environmental and Food Agency of Iceland, is to fulfill the OSPAR (Oslo and Paris agreement) and AMAP (Arctic Monitoring Assessment Program) agreements. The project was funded by the Ministry of the Environment and the Ministry of Fisheries and Agriculture. The data obtained is a part of Iceland´s contribution to the ICES databank (ices.dk). The collection of data started 1989. Matís is the coordinator for marine biota monitoring and is responsible for methods relating to sampling, preparation and analysis of samples. The samples were analyzed at Matís and the Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology at the University of Iceland. Trace metals and organochlorines were analyzed in cod (Gadus morhua) caught in March 2011 and in blue mussel (Mytilus edulis) collected from 11 sites in August / Sept 2010. Marine monitoring began in Iceland 1989 and the sampling is carried out according to standardized sampling guidelines. Changes were observed in the organochlorine concentration patterns in blue mussels collected year 2010 at the sampling site Hvalstod in Hvalfjordur which are in line with results obtained year 2009. No noteworthy increase in organochlorine concentrations was however observed in blue mussels obtained at Hvammsvík in Hvalfjordur nor any of the other sample sites studied year 2010. These results need to be followed up in the annual monitoring of the biosphere around Iceland next year to see if this change in contaminant concentration pattern continues. A thorough statistical evaluation is on ‐ going on all the available data from this monitoring program to analyze spatial and temporal trends of pollutants in the Icelandic marine biosphere.

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Reports

Gæðakræklingur er gulls ígildi / Icelandic blue mussels - A valuable high quality product

Published:

01/12/2011

Authors:

Natasa Desnica, Sophie Jensen, Guðrún G. Þórarinsdóttir, Jón Óskar Jónsson, Hörður G. Kristinsson, Helga Gunnlaugsdóttir

Supported by:

AVS

Contact

Natasa Desnica

Research Group Leader

natasa@matis.is

Gæðakræklingur er gulls ígildi / Icelandic blue mussels - A valuable high quality product

In order for Icelandic mussel farming to grow and prosper, it is important to carry out basic research into the safety and quality of fresh Icelandic mussels that can be used by producers in marketing and selling the products. The purpose of this eighteen-month research project was to collect information on the safety and quality of mussels (Mytilus edulis) in market size (> 45 mm) grown off the coast of Iceland. A total of thirteen market-sized mussel samples were collected at four different breeding sites inland (Hvalfjörður, Breiðafjörður, Álftafjörður and Eyjafjörður) at different times of the year. Market-sized mussels were not found in Eskifjörður and this breeding site was therefore excluded from the project. Instead, samples were taken more often at the other four breeding sites than originally planned. Mussels were collected from breeding lines and time and location recorded. Weight, height and body mass were measured. The mussel was sexed and the stage of puberty was estimated in each sample. In this project, significant information was collected on nutrient content (protein, water, fat, ash) as well as bioactive substances such as selenium, zinc, carotenoids and fatty acid compositions in mussels from different cultivation sites and at different seasons. Unwanted inorganic trace elements (lead, mercury, cadmium, copper, nickel, arsenic, chromium and silver) were also measured in all samples. Work was also done on setting up and testing rapid measurement methods for measuring three types of algae toxins, ie ASP, PSP and DSP. The measurement methods were optimized against the equipment available at Matís and also measured reference samples (ie mussels with a known amount of algae toxin) to assess the quality of the measurements. Two types of rapid tests available on the market were tested to assess their performance in algae toxicity measurements in mussels. On the one hand, so-called Jellet tests were tested and on the other hand ELISA tests. The result is that both tests are relatively simple to use, however, it is necessary to test them on slightly more samples than was done here, in order to make a better assessment of how best to use them in quality control of mussel farming. It is necessary to be aware of the limitations of these rapid tests as they will not completely replace measurements by approved research methods. These tests, on the other hand, could significantly reduce the number of samples sent for approved measurements, as no samples would be sent when the pre-tests show that algae toxins are present and no mussels were allowed to be harvested. The results indicate that Icelandic mussels have an optimal nutrient composition, which is subject to natural seasonal changes. Multivariate analysis (PCA) shows that mussels contain a higher percentage of fat and protein in the spring (May and June), probably because the mussel is preparing to spawn at this time of year. In early autumn, the protein content decreases while the amount of unknown substances increases. At this time of year, spawning is complete, if not complete. The analysis also shows a weak positive correlation between protein and fat, but a strong negative correlation between protein and unknown substances. The concentration of heavy metals (mercury, lead, cadmium) was generally low, but in some cases the concentration of cadmium was higher than permitted by Icelandic and European Union regulations (1 mg / kg). It is therefore important to monitor the concentration of cadmium in Icelandic mussels before they go on the market. The results of fatty acid analysis show that Icelandic mussels contain significant amounts of the omega-3 fatty acids EPA (C20: 5n3) and DHA (C22: 6n3) as well as Palmitoleate (C16: 1n7), all of which are known for their beneficial effects on health. The results of the project show that Icelandic mussels are competitive in terms of nutrient composition and also contain positive bioactive substances. These results will undoubtedly be useful to mussel farmers in marketing presentations and planning regarding the harvesting and sale of mussel products.

In order to enable the Icelandic blue mussel industry to grow, market and sell their product, there is a critical need to perform some fundamental studies. The purpose of this eighteen months long research project was to investigate the quality and value of Icelandic blue mussels (Mytilus edulis) grown at different growing sites of Iceland. A total of 13 samples were collected from blue mussel culture sites around Iceland (Hvalfjörður, Breiðifjörður, Álftafjörður and Eyjafjörður). The Eskifjördur sampling site was excluded from the project due to the lack of market sized blue mussels and resulted in sampling from growing lines of four different culture sites. The mussels were characterized according to location, time of year, weight, length, meat yield and reproductive status. This report summarizes the considerable amounts of data obtained regarding the chemical composition of Icelandic blue mussels, including trace metals (lead, cadmium, copper, zinc, mercury, arsenic, selenium, chrome, nickel and silver), nutrients (moisture, protein, lipid and ash content) and bioactive components (carotenoids and fatty acid profile). In addition, the presence of common algal toxins in blue mussels was investigated and concluded that further work will be needed to optimize the rapid assays tested for measuring algal toxins ie PSP and DSP toxins. The results obtained need to be further verified by using standard addition procedures or with certified reference material. It is important to keep in mind that these rapid tests for PSP and DSP only provide screening results. Further testing with reference analytical methods will be required to confirm the results from these rapid tests before the mussels are harvested and sold on market. The rapid tests are suitable for quality control and decision making regarding whether or not it is safe to harvest the mussel crop or if the mussels should be harvested later after purification in the ocean. The results obtained here indicate that Icelandic blue mussels compose well balanced nutritional and trace element levels. A moderate seasonal variation pattern was observed in all measured nutritional parameters. A principal component analysis (PCA) showed that mussels contained higher proportion of fat and protein during spring (May ‐ June). In the autumn the proportion of protein reduced while the proportion of other unknown substances increased. The PCA analysis also revealed a weak positive correlation between protein and fat and a strong negative correlation between protein and other unknown substances. Heavy metal concentrations were generally low. However, elevated levels of cadmium were measured in mussel samples from certain culture sites, which in some cases exceeded the maximum EU limits (1 mg / kg) for cadmium in bivalve molluscs. The fatty acid profile revealed significant levels of omega ‐ 3 polyunsaturated fatty acids such as Eicosapentaenoic (EPA, C20: 5n3) and Docosahexaenoic (DHA, C22: 6n3) as well as Palmitoleate (C16: 1n7), all recognized for their health beneficial effects . This fundamental information proves that Icelandic blue mussels is a market competitive product of high quality and will greatly aid in developing the Icelandic mussel industry and in making the best choices considering growing, harvesting, marketing and selling their products.

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Reports

Monitoring of the marine biosphere around Iceland 2009 and 2010 / Pollution monitoring in the marine environment around Iceland 2009 and 2010

Published:

01/09/2011

Authors:

Helga Gunnlaugsdóttir, Natasa Desnica, Þuríður Ragnarsdóttir, Hrönn Jörundsdóttir

Supported by:

Ministry of the Environment and Ministry of Fisheries and Agriculture

Monitoring of the marine biosphere around Iceland 2009 and 2010 / Pollution monitoring in the marine environment around Iceland 2009 and 2010

This report presents the results of an annual monitoring project funded by the Ministry of the Environment and the Ministry of Fisheries and Agriculture. The purpose of this monitoring is to fulfill Iceland's obligations regarding the Oslo and Paris Agreement (OSPAR), as well as the AMAP (Arctic Monitoring Assessment Program). The data have been sent to the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) database. The Marine Research Institute collects samples and Matís oversees the preparation of samples and measurements of trace elements in the marine environment. The samples are measured at Matís and at the University of Iceland Laboratory of Pharmacology and Toxicology. Various inorganic trace elements and chloro-organic substances were measured in cod caught in Hafró's annual spring rally in March 2010 and in mussels collected at 10 locations around the country in August / September 2009. Monitoring in the marine environment near Iceland began in 1989 and samples are collected once a year. for a year and worked according to international sampling instructions. The data is collected in a database, the report provides overview images for some of the materials monitored. Cadmium is regionally higher in Icelandic mussels compared to mussels from other countries. The results show changes in the pattern of chlorine organic matter in mussels collected near Hvalstöðin in Hvalfjörður in September 2009, there were no visible changes in the concentration of these substances at the mussel collection site at Hvammsvík in Hvalfjörður or at any other collection site around the country studied in 2009. Important is monitoring these changes in the pattern of concentration of chlorinated organic substances in mussels in the monitoring project in the coming years to see if they are still present. A detailed statistical analysis of the data is in progress, i.e. Scientific methods can be used to estimate the increase or decrease of pollutants in the marine environment in Iceland.

This report contains results of the annual monitoring of the biosphere around Iceland in 2009 and 2010. The project, overseen by the Environmental and Food Agency of Iceland, is to fulfill the OSPAR (Oslo and Paris agreement) and AMAP (Arctic Monitoring Assessment Program) agreements. The project was funded by the Ministry of the Environment and the Ministry of Fisheries and Agriculture. The data has been submitted to the ICES databank (ices.dk). The collection of data started 1989. Matís is the coordinator for marine biota monitoring and is responsible for methods relating to sampling, preparation and analysis of samples. The samples were analyzed at Matís and the Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology at the University of Iceland. Trace metals and organochlorines were analyzed in cod (Gadus morhua) caught in March 2010 and in blue mussel (Mytilus edulis) collected in August / Sept 2009. Marine monitoring began in Iceland 1989 and the sampling is carried out according to standardized sampling guidelines. Changes were observed in the organochlorine concentration patterns in blue mussels collected year 2009 at the sampling site Hvalstod in Hvalfjordur, no noteworthy increase in organochlorine concentrations was however observed in blue mussels obtained at Hvammsvík in Hvalfjordur nor any of the other sample sites studied year 2009. These results need to be followed up in the annual monitoring of the biosphere around Iceland next year to see if this change in contaminant concentration pattern continues. A thorough statistical evaluation is ongoing on all available data from this monitoring program to analyze spatial and temporal trends of pollutants in the Icelandic marine biosphere.

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Reports

Shortening the growing time of mussels - FINAL REPORT / Shortening the growing time of blue mussels on long lines

Published:

01/12/2010

Authors:

Helga Gunnlaugsdóttir, Guðrún G. Þórarinsdóttir, Jón Benedikt Gíslason, Hreiðar Þór Valtýsson, Björn Theodórsson, Hrönn Jörundsdóttir

Supported by:

Increased value of seafood (AVS), Marine Research Institute, Matís, Fisheries Center at the University of Akureyri

Shortening the growing time of mussels - FINAL REPORT / Shortening the growing time of blue mussels on long lines

The main objective of the project was to develop and evaluate a method for the cultivation of mussel shells on seaweeds that yields at least a year earlier than the traditional cultivation method. The sub-goals were to assess the stock size and recruitment capacity in the experimental small shellfish fishing areas in Hvalfjörður and the uptake of cadmium in mussels after transport and in further cultivation.

The summary conclusions of the project are as follows:

a) The stock size assessment of mussels in Hvalfjörður revealed a fairly large fishing stock and based on a 10% fishing quota of stock size, it would be possible to fish 1,500 tonnes annually in the fjord. The mainstay of the population in most areas are large shells that are not suitable for cultivation.

b) The collection of wild small shells (approximately 20-30 mm) for soaking and rearing of hangers (rotating) in the sea yields a harvest at least a year earlier than the traditional cultivation method.

c) Small shells can be fished, transported, socked and released in cultivation areas away from fishing grounds. However, the size of the shells has a lot to say about the possibilities for further cultivation, as their mobility seems to decrease from 25 mm shell length. In the study, a crop of lines of caught and plucked shell was about 5 kilograms of marketable shell per meter of length.

d) This cultivation method can be useful in addition to conventional cultivation. Being able to pick up wild mussels can be very important, especially if traditional larval collection has been destroyed for some reason. The results of the current project will potentially be useful for more than shortening the growing season and can play a key role in the development of mussel farming around the country.

e) Uptake of cadmium in mussels can be a problem after transport and in further cultivation and it is important to monitor the concentration of cadmium in mussels before it is placed on the market.

This report presents results from a research project funded by AVS year 2009. The main aim of the project was to evaluate whether it would be possible to shorten the growing time of blue mussels so that they reach market size more rapidly. The following technique was tested; harvesting of natural stocks of blue mussel in two fjords in West Iceland where small individuals were sorted out from the catch (<40 mm) and put into socks to grow to market size in hanging culture. > <40 mm) and put into socks to grow to market size in hanging culture. Using this technique, small mussels between ca 20-30 mm in shell length reach market size (45mm +) in hanging culture in one year, while using traditional methods (spat collection and growth) this takes 2-3 years. This technique thus offers possibilities to utilize an unexploited natural stock of mussels and shorten considerably the growing time to market size.

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Reports

Pollution monitoring in the marine environment around Iceland 2008 and 2009 / Monitoring of the marine biosphere around Iceland 2008 and 2009

Published:

01/09/2010

Authors:

Hrönn Ólína Jörundsdóttir, Natasa Desnica, Sonja Huld Guðjónsdóttir, Þuríður Ragnarsdóttir, Helga Gunnlaugsdóttir

Supported by:

Ministry of the Environment and Ministry of Fisheries and Agriculture

Contact

Natasa Desnica

Research Group Leader

natasa@matis.is

Pollution monitoring in the marine environment around Iceland 2008 and 2009 / Monitoring of the marine biosphere around Iceland 2008 and 2009

This report presents the results of an annual monitoring project funded by the Ministry of the Environment and the Ministry of Fisheries and Agriculture. The purpose of this monitoring is to fulfill Iceland's obligations regarding the Oslo and Paris Agreement (OSPAR), as well as the AMAP (Artic Monitoring Assessment Program). The data has been sent to the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) database. The Marine Research Institute collects samples and Matís oversees the preparation of samples and measurements of trace elements in the marine environment. The samples are measured at Matís and at the Laboratory of Pharmacology and Toxicology. Various inorganic trace elements and chloro-organic substances were measured in cod caught in Hafró's annual spring rally in March 2009 and in mussels collected at 11 locations around the country in August / September 2008. Monitoring in the marine environment around Iceland began in 1989 and data is collected in database. The report provides overview images for some of the topics covered. Cadmium is regionally higher in Icelandic mussels compared to mussels from other countries. There are small changes between years in the concentration of inorganic and organic substances, but a detailed statistical analysis of the data is needed in order to be able to assess with scientific methods the increase or decrease of pollutants in the marine environment in Iceland.

This report contains results of the annual monitoring of the biosphere around Iceland in 2008 and 2009. The project, overseen by the Environmental and Food Agency of Iceland, is to fulfill the OSPAR (Oslo and Paris agreement) and AMAP (Arctic Monitoring Assessment Program) agreements. The project was funded by the Ministry of the Environment and the Ministry of Fisheries and Agriculture. The data has been submitted to the ICES databank (ices.dk), collection of data began in 1989. Matís ohf is the coordinator for marine biota monitoring and is responsible for methods relating to sampling, preparation and analysis of samples. The samples were analyzed at Matís and at the Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology at the University of Iceland. Trace metals and organochlorines were analyzed in cod (Gadus morhua) caught in March 2009 and in blue mussel (Mytilus edulis) collected in August / Sept 2008. Marine monitoring began in Iceland 1989. Cadmium is higher in some locations in Iceland compared to other countries . No significant changes were observed in the concentration of organic or inorganic pollutants investigated. However, a thorough statistical evaluation has to be carried out on the available data to analyze spatial and temporal trends of pollutants in the Icelandic marine biosphere.

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Reports

Pollution monitoring in the marine environment around Iceland 2007 and 2008 / Monitoring of the marine biosphere around Iceland 2007 and 2008

Published:

01/08/2009

Authors:

Hrönn Ólína Jörundsdóttir, Sasan Rabieh, Hulda Soffía Jónasdóttir, Þuríður Ragnarsdóttir, Helga Gunnlaugsdóttir

Supported by:

Ministry for the Environment and Ministry of Fisheries

Pollution monitoring in the marine environment around Iceland 2007 and 2008 / Monitoring of the marine biosphere around Iceland 2007 and 2008

This report presents the results of the Ministry of the Environment's annual monitoring project for the years 2007 and 2008. The aim of this monitoring is to fulfill Iceland's obligations regarding the Oslo and Paris Agreement (OSPAR), as well as the AMAP (Artic Monitoring Assessment Program). The data has been sent to the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) database. The Marine Research Institute collects samples and Matís oversees the preparation of samples and measurements of trace elements in the marine environment. The samples are measured at Matís and at the Laboratory of Pharmacology and Toxicology. Various inorganic trace elements and chloro-organic substances were measured in cod caught in Hafró's annual spring rally in March 2008 and in mussels collected at 11 locations around the country in August / September 2007. Monitoring in the marine environment around Iceland began in 1989 and data are collected in database, the report provides overview images for some of the materials monitored.

This report contains results of the annual monitoring of the biosphere around Iceland in 2007 and 2008. The project, overseen by the Environmental and Food Agency of Iceland, is to fulfill the OSPAR (Oslo and Paris agreement) and AMAP (Arctic Monitoring Assessment Program) agreements. The data has been submitted to the ICES databank (ices.dk), collection of data began 1989. Matís ohf is the coordinator for marine biota monitoring and is responsible for methods relating to sampling, preparation and analysis of samples. The samples were analyzed at the Matís and at the Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology at the University of Iceland. Trace metals and organochlorines were analyzed in cod (Gadus morhua) caught in March 2008 and in blue mussel (Mytilus edulis) collected in August / Sept 2007. Marine monitoring began in Iceland 1989.

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Reports

Pollution monitoring in the marine environment around Iceland 2006 and 2007 / Monitoring of the marine biosphere around Iceland 2006 and 2007

Published:

01/08/2008

Authors:

Sasan Rabieh, Ingibjörg Jónsdóttir, Þuríður Ragnarsdóttir, Helga Gunnlaugsdóttir

Supported by:

Ministry for the Environment and Ministry of Fisheries

Pollution monitoring in the marine environment around Iceland 2006 and 2007 / Monitoring of the marine biosphere around Iceland 2006 and 2007

This report presents the results of the Ministry of the Environment's annual monitoring project for the years 2006 and 2007. The aim of this monitoring is to fulfill Iceland's obligations regarding the Oslo and Paris Agreement (OSPAR), as well as the AMAP (Artic Monitoring Assessment Program). The data has been sent to the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) database. The Marine Research Institute collects samples and Matís oversees the preparation of samples and measurements of trace elements in the marine environment. The samples are measured at Matís and at the Laboratory of Pharmacology and Toxicology. Various inorganic trace elements and chloro-organic substances were measured in cod caught in Hafró's annual spring rally in March 2007 and in mussels collected at 11 locations around the country in August / September 2006. Monitoring in the marine environment around Iceland began in 1989.

This report contains results of the annual monitoring of the biosphere around Iceland in 2006 and 2007. The project, overseen by the Environmental and Food Agency of Iceland, is to fulfill the OSPAR (Oslo and Paris agreement) and AMAP (Arctic Monitoring Assessment Program) agreements. The data has been submitted to the ICES databank (ices.dk), collection of data began 1989. Matís ohf is the coordinator for marine biota monitoring and is responsible for methods relating to sampling, preparation and analysis of samples. The samples were analyzed at the Matís and at the Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology at the University of Iceland. Trace metals and organochlorines were analyzed in cod (Gadus morhua) caught in March 2007 and in blue mussel (Mytilus edulis) collected in August / Sept 2006. Marine monitoring began in Iceland 1989.

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Reports

Inorganic trace elements in organisms in NW Iceland

Published:

01/12/2007

Authors:

Helga Gunnlaugsdóttir, Guðjón Atli Auðunsson, Guðmundur Víðir Helgason, Rósa Jónsdóttir, Ingibjörg Jónsdóttir, Þuríður Ragnarsdóttir, Sasan Rabieh

Supported by:

AVS Fisheries Research Fund, Fisheries Research Institute, Matís

Inorganic trace elements in organisms in NW Iceland

The purpose of the study was to seek explanations for the uniqueness of NV targets, especially in Arnarfjörður, with respect to inorganic trace elements, especially cadmium, in organisms. For this purpose, the concentration of trace elements in samples of mussels (Mytilus edulis), scallops (Chlamys islandica) and sea sediments was measured in several places around Iceland, with special emphasis on the collection of samples on NW tickets. The main results of the project are that the concentration of cadmium in mussel samples from Arnarfjörður is generally considerably higher than in other samples taken from mussels on NV tickets and this difference is statistically significant (T-test, α = 0.05 (5%)). There is also a tendency for the concentration of iron, copper, manganese and zinc to be lower in mussels in Arnarfjörður than in other fjords in the north-west, and this difference is most noticeable for iron and zinc. The results show that the concentration of cadmium in mussels from Arnarfjörður is above the EU maximum values for mussels in 9 samples out of 10, in addition there are samples of mussels from cultivation belts from Hestfjörður in Ísafjarðardjúpur and Ósafjörður (in from Patreksfjörður) above the EU limit (1.0 mg / kg wet weight for sandwiches). Mussel samples from Dýrafjörður, Seyðisfjörður in Ísafjarðardjúpur and Patreksfjörður by Sandoddi are also very close to the EU border. The amount of trace elements in sediments on NV fishing grounds seems to be very similar to previous measurements of trace elements in Icelandic sea sediments in these areas. This indicates that the explanation for the high concentration of cadmium in mussels from Arnarfjörður is probably not to be found in the higher concentration of cadmium in sediments in this area. The results of the project provide information on the uniqueness of Icelandic waters in terms of inorganic trace elements. Such information and scientific data are a prerequisite for Icelanders to be able to influence decision-making when setting maximum values for food, for example in the EU. The results of the project have already been used to influence the increase in EU maximum levels for cadmium in sandwiches and have been sent to EFSA for data collection on cadmium in food.

The aim of this research was to investigate the unique position of the territorial waters around NW-Iceland, especially Arnarfjörður, with respect to trace elements, particularly cadmium, in biota. In order to achieve this goal, trace elements in blue mussels (Mytilus edulis), scallops (Chlamys islandica) and sediments around Iceland were analyzed, with special emphasis on sampling in the NW-Iceland area. The main results from this research indicate that cadmium levels are statistically higher in blue mussels from Arnarfjörður compared to other areas in NW-Iceland (T-test, α = 0.05 (5%)). In contrast with cadmium, the iron, copper, manganese and zinc concentrations were lower in the blue mussels from Arnarfjörður in comparison with other areas in NW-Iceland. This difference was most obvious with regard to iron and zinc. The cadmium level in blue mussels from Arnarfjörður, Hestfjörður in Ísafjarðardjúp and Ósafjörður exceeds the maximum cadmium level (1.0 mg / kg wet weight) set by the European commission (EC) for Bivalve molluscs. The cadmium level in blue mussels from Dýrafjörður, Seyðisfjörður in Ísafjarðardjúpi and Patreksfjörður are also close to the maximum cadmium level set by EC. The results for trace elements in sediments from Arnarfjörður do not however explain the high levels of cadmium observed in blue mussels from this area.

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Reports

Monitoring of the marine biosphere around Iceland in 2005 - 2006

Published:

01/08/2007

Authors:

Sasan Rabieh, Ernst Schmeisser, Eva Yngvadóttir, Ingibjörg Jónsdóttir, Þuríður Ragnarsdóttir, Helga Gunnlaugsdóttir

Supported by:

Ministry for the Environment

Monitoring of the marine biosphere around Iceland in 2005 - 2006

This report presents the results of the Ministry of the Environment's annual monitoring project for the years 2005 and 2006. The aim of this monitoring is to fulfill Iceland's obligations under the Oslo and Paris Agreement (OSPAR), as well as the AMAP (Artic Monitoring Assessment Program). The data has been sent to the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) database. The Marine Research Institute collects samples and the Fisheries Research Institute supervised the preparation of samples and measurements of trace elements in the marine environment. The samples were measured at IFL and at the Laboratory of Pharmacology and Toxicology. Various inorganic trace elements and chloro-organic substances in cod were caught in the annual spring survey of the Marine Research Institute in March 2006 and in mussels collected at 11 locations around the country in August / September 2005. Monitoring in the marine environment around Iceland began in 1989.

This report contains results of the annual monitoring of the biosphere around Iceland in 2005 and 2006. The project, overseen by the Environmental and Food Agency of Iceland, is to fulfill the OSPAR (Oslo and Paris agreement) and AMAP (Arctic Monitoring Assessment Program) agreements. The data has been submitted to the ICES databank (ices.dk), collection of data began 1989. The Icelandic Fisheries Laboratories (IFL) (now Matís) is the coordinator for marine biota monitoring and is responsible for methods relating to sampling, preparation and analysis of samples. The samples were analyzed at IFL / Matís and at the Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology at the University of Iceland. Trace metals and organochlorines were analyzed in cod (Gadus morhua) caught in March 2006 and in blue mussel (Mytilus edulis) collected in August / Sept 2005. Marine monitoring began in Iceland 1989.

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