Publications

Global trends of lake temperatures observed from space. NILU PP

Schneider, P.; Hook, S.J.

Modeling of short chain chlorinated paraffins in the Nordic environment. NILU PP

Krogseth, I.S.; Breivik,K.; Schlabach, M.; Wania, F.; Arnot, J.

Short chain chlorinated paraffins (SCCPs), also called polychlorinated n-alkanes, are mixtures of compounds of molecular formula CxH2x+2-yCly containing 10-13 carbon atoms and usually 30-70 % degree of chlorination. They have a range of industrial applications, and have been detected in numerous environmental compartments. There is concern regarding SCCPs due to their environmental persistence and their potential for bioaccumulation, adverse effects and long-range transport. SCCPs have been included in the UNECE LRTAP Convention, the priority substance list of the European Water Framework Directive, and are under consideration for the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants. However, the behaviour and fate of SCCPs remain poorly understood, in part as the technical mixtures consist of thousands of isomers, enantiomers and diastereomers, which make analysis and modelling of these compounds very challenging. The purpose of this study was to explore a complementary modelling and monitoring approach to evaluate the overall understanding of the link between emissions of SCCPs, environmental levels and human exposure in the Nordic environment and to identify the more critical knowledge gaps. Data for emissions and physicochemical properties of SCCPs were gathered or estimated, and used to parameterize an integrated, non-steady state environmental fate and bioaccumulation model (CoZMoMan). Specific congeners of SCCPs were selected for the study to assess the extent of expected variation of environmental fate and behaviour within the multitude of compounds. Model results were next compared to reported environmental levels in the Nordic region. For compartments where environmental levels were scarce or lacking, targeted sampling and analysis was carried out to further evaluate the model predictions. Results from this study will be presented and discussed with emphasis on the more critical research needs with respect to the overall fate and exposure of SCCPs.

Perfluorinated alkyl substances in whole blood and plasma; an assessment in maternal and umbilical cord samples from inhabitants in Russia and Uzbekistan. NILU PP

Hanssen, L.; Dudarev, A.; Huber, S.; Odland, J.O.; Sandanger, T.M.

Thorough analysis of contaminants in Arctic air samples by means of GCxGC/ToF-MS. NILU PP

Röhler, L.; Schlabach, M.; Vetter, W.

Determination of time- and height-resolved volcanic ash emissions for quantitative ash dispersion modeling: The 2010 Eyjafjallajökull eruption. NILU PP

Stohl, A.; Prata, A.J.; Eckhardt, S.; Clarisse, L.; Durant, A.; Henne, S.; Kristiansen, N.I.; Minikin, A.; Schumann, U.; Seibert, P.; Stebel, K.; Thomas, H.E.; Thorsteinsson, T.; Tørseth, K.; Weinzierl, B.

ExSIRA - Experimental study to investigate risk of selected amines (project no. 199874/S60). NILU PP

Berglen, T.F.; ExSIRA project team.

ENVIROFI: Future Internet for Future INSPIRE. NILU PP

Schleidt, K.; Fogarty, B.; Kobernus, M.; Havlik, D. , Schade, S.

MEMORI. Measurement, effect, assessment and mitigation of pollutant impact on movable cultural assets. Innovative research for market transfer. NILU PP

Dahlin, E.; Grøntoft, T.; Lopez-Aparicio, S.; Bellendorf, P.; Schieweck, A.; Drda-Kühn, K.; Colombini, M.P.; Bonaduce, I.; Vandenabeele, P.; Larsen, R.; Sommer, D.V.P.; Potthast, A.; Marincas, O.; Thickett, D.; Andrade, G.; Tabuenca, A.; Odlyha, M.; Laurenson, P.; Hackney, S.; McDonagh, C.; Bowe, P.; Ackerman, J.J.

Survey on possible source of HCB, PCB, and PCDD/F emission to air. An expert assessment of the Norwegian silicon and ferrosilicon production. NILU OR

Schlabach, M.

On behalf of the Norwegian Ferroalloy Producers Research Association (FFF) NILU has assessed possible airborne emissions of HCB, PCB, and PCDD/F from Norwegian silicon and ferrosilicon production.

The report concludes with that the Norwegian silicon and ferrosilicon melting process does most certainly not lead to a 'de novo' formation of organochlorines. The report summaries all performed emission measurements. It states that, even in worst case, the annual contribution from Norwegian silicon and ferrosilicon production does not exceed one percent of the total annual load. Thus the contribution is regarded as negligible.

Chemical speciation of fine airborne particles in Abu Dhabi. NILU OR

Hak, C.; Lopez-Aparicio, S.; Sivertsen, B.

Chemical speciation results of PM2.5 filter samples from eight sites in Abu Dhabi are discussed. This is the third interim report, covering a total of 40 filter samples. As one aim of this sampling study was to use the speciation results for health impact studies, samples with high particle loads and high degree of blackness were selected for analysis, and compared to samples with typical particle loads. Particles with diameters less than 2.5 µm were analysed for elements, inorganic ions and carbonaceous fractions.
The most abundant elements were found to be crustal elements, contributing on average 14% to PM2.5 mass. Reconstructing the mass of crustal oxides, approximately 44% of the fine particle mass was estimated to be associated with mineral dust. The concentrations of most heavy metals were below limit values for annual averages at all sites. For nickel, it was found that the Guideline Value may be exceeded at one traffic site.
Inorganic ions (sulphate, nitrate, ammonium, sodium, chloride) explain on average 34% of the PM2.5 mass in Abu Dhabi. Remarkably high sulphate concentrations account for the major part (on average 26%). Particulate sulphate in Abu Dhabi is likely to have both natural (as a result of the local composition of mineral dust) and anthropogenic sources which cannot be separated with the applied analytical methods. An anthropogenic contribution of ~6% comes from the secondary inorganic ions nitrate and ammonium.
Total carbon, which consists of elemental carbon, organic carbon and carbonate carbon contributed on average 14% to PM2.5 mass. About 30% of total carbon was estimated to be carbonate of likely natural origin. Elemental carbon and most organic carbon are expected to be of anthropogenic origin.
PM in Abu Dhabi has a strong signature of natural sources (mineral dust). A detailed apportionment of sources requires further analyses.

Bangladesh Air Pollution Management (BAPMAN). Ambient air pollution screening study in Dhaka 31 January - 15 February 2011. NILU OR

Randall, S.; Sivertsen, B.; Schneider, P.; Vo, D.T.; Uddin, N.; Biswas, S.; Saroar, G.; Rana, M.

An ambient air pollution screening study was performed in Dhaka from 31 January - 15 February 2011. The main objective of the study was to gain an overview of the background concentrations and the spatial distribution of the air pollution in the Dhaka city area. Thorough ambient air quality data has not been collected in the city for some years. Results show relatively high concentrations for SO2, NO2, and O3, with PM concentrations alarmingly high. PM concentrations could be attributed to local sources (predominantly brick Kilns and traffic), as well as regional influences (haze clouds) during the winter season which were compared to satellite AOD data.

Dispersion calculations of NOx emissions at Salten Verk. NILU OR

Haugsbakk, I.; Tønnesen, D.

Dispersion calculations have been carried out for emissions from Salten Verk in Nordland.