The main goal of this project is to increase knowledge about how cuttings will spread when deposited on the seabed, and to forecast how the contaminants in sediments could be a future source of pollution.
Project coordinator: the Department of Geology, University of Tromsø: Morten Hald ,Juho Junttila , Dijkstra Noortje, Jo Lynn Carroll.
Resume
The results from the surface samples from SW Barents Sea show overall low heavy metal contents (Level I of the Ecological Status Classes of the EU’s Water Framework Directive). Heavy metal contents show correlation with the finer grain size (silt and clay) and partly with total organic carbon (TOC). The deposition of finer particles, heavy metals and TOC occur in deeper water depth (>300m) associated with calm bottom water currents (≤5cm/s). Highest heavy metal contents are found in the samples from the Snøhvit field and Ingøydjupet. Highest Ba contents are in samples from the Snøhvit field. PAH measurements indicate that 2 samples have possible petrogenic origin and 8 samples have possible pyrogenic origin where 8 samples have both petrogenic and pyrogenic origin. Differences in benthic foraminiferal distribution patterns in samples from Ingøydjupet and Tromsøflaket can be explained by natural parameters such as substrate and nutrition.
A case study of Hammerfest harbor was conducted in order to find out how benthic foraminifera respond to heavily polluted environment. In Hammerfest harbour the pollution results in barren areas, deformed foraminiferal tests and a dominance of opportunistic species. Ecological status classes based on benthic foraminifera need to be developed for the SW Barents Sea region, because they can serve as a fast tool to bio-monitor the state of the environment and the impact of contaminants on the environment.
Multi-corer filled with sediments.
The results of high-resolution sediment cores covering the last 90-150 years will establish pre- and post-industrial records of sedimentary pollutants and benthic foraminiferal communities. Preliminary results show natural variability of contaminants as well as benthic foraminifera related to grain-size and bottom current strength. So far it seems that the cores closest to the continent are under the influence of Norwegian coastal current have therefore more changes in grain-size, contaminant levels and benthic foraminifera fauna. The cores further away from the continent show more stable grain-size distribution and are mainly influenced by the long distant transport of the contaminants. Preliminary results from a benthic foraminiferal assemblages study suggest that changes in foraminiferal assemblages during the last 90-150 years are most likely an effect of changes in the ocean currents. Sedimentation rates in the SW Barents Sea vary between 1.0 -2.4mm/year. Highest sedimentation rates are found in sites in the deepest water depths (>400m) where fine sediments transported from the shallow banks by strong bottom currents accumulate due to calmer current regime.
Box-corer launched from RV Helmer Hansen.
Conference abstracts
Junttila, Juho; Dijkstra, Noortje; Carroll, Jolynn; Hald, Morten. Anthropogenic pollutants in surface sediments of SW Barents Sea. 30th Nordic Geological Winter Meeting 2012-01-09 – 2012-01-12 2012.
Dijkstra, Noortje; Junttila, Juho; Carroll, Jolynn; Husum, Katrine; Hald, Morten. Using benthic foraminifera as bioindicators of pollution in the SW Barents Sea. 30th Nordic Geological Winter Meeting 2012-01-09 – 2012-01-12 2012.
Dijkstra, Noortje; Junttila, Juho; Husum, Katrine; Carroll, Jolynn; Hald, Morten. Assessing environmental impact from gas and oil exploration in the SW Barents Sea using benthic foraminiferal assemblages. EGU General Assembly 2012 2012-04-22 – 2012-04-27 2012.
Dijkstra, Noortje; Junttila, Juho; Husum, Katrine; Carroll, Jolynn; Klirgaard-Kristensen, Dorthe; Hald, Morten. Benthic foraminifera as indicators of pollution in high latitude marine environments. EGU General Assembly 2012 2012-04-22 – 2012-04-27 2012.
Dijkstra, Noortje; Junttila, Juho; Husum, Katrine; Carroll, Jolynn; Hald, Morten. Using benthic foraminifera as indicators of pollution in an open sea and harbor environment. Resclim All staff meeting 2012-03-19 – 2012-03-23 2012.
Dijkstra, Noortje; Junttila, Juho; Carroll, Jolynn; Hald, Morten; Husum, Katrine; Klitgaard-Kristensen, Dorthe; Korsun, Sergei. The use of benthic foraminiferal assemblages as indicators of pollution in the SW Barents Sea. ResClim all staff meeting 2011-03-28 – 2011-04-01 2011.
Dijkstra, Noortje; Husum, Katrine; Klitgaard-Kristensen, Dorthe; Junttila, Juho; Carroll, Jolynn; Hald, Morten; Korsun, Sergei. The use of benthic foraminiferal assemblages as bioindicators of pollution in the SW Barents Sea. Fobimo workshop 2011 2011-06-21 – 2011-06-24 2011.
Dijkstra, Noortje; Junttila, Juho; Carroll, Jolynn; Hald, Morten; Husum, Katrine; Klitgaard-Kristensen, Dorthe; Korsun, Sergei. The use of benthic foraminiferal assemblages as indicators of pollution in the SW Barents Sea. Arctic Marine Geology And Geophysics Research School Seminar 2011-03-15 – 2011-03-15 2011.
Junttila, Juho; Dijkstra, Noortje; Carroll, Jolynn; Hald, Morten; Husum, Katrine; Klitgaard-Kristensen, Dorthe; Knies, Jochen; Korsun, Sergei; Svensen, Torgrim. Environmental studies related to petroleum industry activities in the SW Barents Sea. Arctic Marine Geology And Geophysics Research School Seminar 2011-03-15 – 2011-03-15 2011.
Dijkstra, Noortje; Junttila, Juho; Carroll, Jolynn; Hald, Morten; Husum, Katrine; Klitgaard Kristensen, Dorthe; Korsun, Sergei. Benthic foraminiferal assemblages as indicators of anthropogenic activity in the SW Barents Sea. FORAMS 2010. International Symposium on Foraminifera 2010-09-05 – 2010-09-10 2010.
Publications
–
Articles
–
Related links
–
In the Press
–