Found 9746 publications. Showing page 360 of 390:
2023
2023
2023
2023
2023
Phthalate contamination in marine mammals off the Norwegian coast
Phthalates are used in plastics, found throughout the marine environment and have the potential to cause adverse health effects. In the present study, we quantified blubber concentrations of 11 phthalates in 16 samples from stranded and/or free-living marine mammals from the Norwegian coast: the killer whale (Orcinus orca), sperm whale (Physeter macrocephalus), long-finned pilot whale (Globicephala melas), white-beaked dolphin (Lagenorhynchus albirostris), harbour porpoise (Phocoena phocoena), and harbour seal (Phoca vitulina). Five compounds were detected across all samples: benzyl butyl phthalate (BBP; in 50 % of samples), bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP; 33 %), diisononyl phthalate (DiNP; 33 %), diisobutyl phthalate (DiBP; 19 %), and dioctyl phthalate (DOP; 13 %). Overall, the most contaminated individual was the white-beaked dolphin, whilst the lowest concentrations were measured in the killer whale, sperm whale and long-finned pilot whale. We found no phthalates in the neonate killer whale. The present study is important for future monitoring and management of these toxic compounds.
Elsevier
2023
2023
Plastic pollution has long been identified as one of the biggest challenges of the 21st century. To tackle this problem, governments are setting stringent recycling targets to keep plastics in a closed loop. Yet, knowledge of the stocks and flows of plastic has not been well integrated into policies. This study presents a dynamic probabilistic economy-wide material flow analysis (MFA) of seven plastic polymers (HDPE, LDPE, PP, PS, PVC, EPS, and PET) in Norway from 2000 to 2050. A total of 40 individual product categories aggregated into nine industrial sectors were examined. An estimated 620 ± 23 kt or 114 kg/capita of these seven plastic polymers was put on the Norwegian market in 2020. Packaging products contributed to the largest share of plastic put on the market (∼40%). The accumulated in-use stock in 2020 was about 3400 ± 56 kt with ∼60% remaining in buildings and construction sector. In 2020, about 460 ± 22 kt of plastic waste was generated in Norway, with half originating from packaging. Although ∼50% of all plastic waste is collected separately from the waste stream, only around 25% is sorted for recycling. Overall, ∼50% of plastic waste is incinerated, ∼15% exported, and ∼10% landfilled. Under a business-as-usual scenario, the plastic put on the market, in-use stock, and waste generation will increase by 65%, 140%, and 90%, respectively by 2050. The outcomes of this work can be used as a guideline for other countries to establish the stocks and flows of plastic polymers from various industrial sectors which is needed for the implementation of necessary regulatory actions and circular strategies. The systematic classification of products suitable for recycling or be made of recyclate will facilitate the safe and sustainable recycling of plastic waste into new products, cap production, lower consumption, and prevent waste generation.
Elsevier
2023
2023
To estimate the effect of vegetation stress and changes in biogenic volatile organic compound (BVOC) emissions on urban ozone (O3) levels we perform a systematic, observation-based analysis of the relationship between formaldehyde (HCHO) mixing ratios, meteorological parameters, measurement-based drought indicators and O3 over the central European city of Vienna, Austria. In addition, numerical models SURface EXternalisée (SURFEX), Model of Emissions of Gases and Aerosols from Nature (MEGAN) Vers.2.1 and 3 and MOdèle de Chimie A Grande Echelle (MOCAGE) are combined to estimate the soil moisture, the spatial distribution and drought response of isoprene emissions, and the resulting distribution of HCHO in the atmosphere. To analyse the effect of drought during spring and summer we contrast observations during dry and reference years. Our results show that the observed HCHO can be explained using the simulated isoprene emissions as well as observed and simulated vegetation drought responses. HCHO mixing ratios differ strongly between dry and reference seasons. Spring-time precipitation deficits facilitate reduced HCHO mixing ratios due to delayed and weakened plant growth. In consequence also O3 burdens are lowered due to reduced BVOC precursor emissions. These reductions occur despite radiation levels being higher than during the reference year, illustrating the strong potential of spring-time BVOC emissions to modulate urban O3 burdens. Conversely, during summer elevated O3 levels occur during local drought conditions. These are driven by advected isoprene originating from nearby forest areas, which are not affected by drought. Our results regarding elevated summer-time O3 burdens under vegetation heat and drought stress are in good agreement with previous work.
Elsevier
2023
Chlorinated paraffins in urban air in Nordic countries
In 2022, the Joint Nordic screening group decided to perform a Nordic study on short-, medium- and long-chain chlorinated paraffins (SCCPs, MCCPs, LCCPs) in urban air. A previous study performed on behalf of screening group in 2019 observed higher concentrations of chlorinated paraffins (CPs) in air samples from an urban site than from remote sites (Schlabach et al. 2022). It was then suggested that tire wear particles could be the source for the elevated urban concentrations.
The focus of the study in 2022 was to collect data to improve the understanding of sources for CPs in air by: (1) comparing concentrations measured in wintertime when studded tires are used and in summertime when normal tires are used, (2) comparing data from three capitals in the Nordic countries, and (3) compare urban air concentrations to air concentrations in a car tire testing facility. All the member countries were invited to participate but based on the possibilities to collect active air samples in urban locations, it was decided to collect air samples from Helsinki (Finland), Reykjavik and Reykjanesbær (Iceland) and Oslo (Norway). Samples were collected in February–March 2022 and May–August 2022. The sampling time for each sample was 48 hrs and 3–6 samples were collected per site and season.
Nordic Council of Ministers
2023
2023
Low-Processing Data Enrichment and Calibration for PM2.5 Low-Cost Sensors
Particulate matter (PM) in air has been proven to be hazardous to human health. Here we focused on analysis of PM data we obtained from the same campaign which was presented in our previous study. Multivariate linear and random forest models were used for the calibration and analysis. In our linear regression model the inputs were PM, temperature and humidity measured with low-cost sensors, and the target was the reference PM measurements obtained from SEPA in the same timeframe.
2023
Monitoring of environmental contaminants in air and precipitation. Annual report 2022.
This report presents air monitoring data from 2022 for the Norwegian monitoring programme "Atmospheric contaminants". The results cover 260 organic compounds (regulated and non-regulated) and 16 compound groups, 14 heavy metals, and a selection of organic chemicals of concern.
NILU
2023
The role of SVOCs in the initial film formation and soiling of unvarnished paintings
In recent years increased research efforts and environmental improvements have been directed towards the preventive conservation of the monumental, unvarnished oil paintings on canvas (1909–1916) by Edvard Munch (1863–1944) housed in the University of Oslo Aula. Surface soiling of the paintings has been a documented issue since their display, and the modern-day effect of air-borne particulates and gases on the painting surfaces remains hitherto undocumented. For the first time in the Aula, this study has measured the in-situ time-dependent mass deposit of air pollution onto vertical surfaces over the period of one year (2021–2022). Concomitant measurements of the concentrations of ozone (O3) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) were also taken, to complement periodic data from 2020. The mass deposit was measured through incremental weight changes of Teflon membrane filters, and quartz filters for analysis of elemental/organic carbon (EC/OC), whilst the gaseous pollutants were measured using passive gas samplers. Indoor-to-outdoor ratios (I/O) for O3 were noted to be higher than those suggested by earlier data, whereas NO2 I/O ratios were found to be lower, indicating a stronger oxidising atmosphere in the Aula. Just over half of the deposited mass on the quartz filters was found to be OC, with no EC detected. Surprisingly, an overall decrease in the mass deposit from three to twelve months was measured on the Teflon membrane filters. It was hypothesised, based on models reported in the literature, that the source of the OC on the filters was mainly gaseous, semi-volatile organic compounds (SVOCs), which were present in an adsorption/desorption equilibrium that was dependent on possible SVOC emission episodes, relative humidity levels, gaseous oxidative reactions and the particulate matter deposit. A simple mathematical model is proposed to rationalise the observed mass deposits on the filters, together with a discussion of uncertainties affecting the measurements. The hypothesis preliminarily indicates the possible and previously unconsidered role of SVOCs on the initial film formation of soiling layers on the Aula paintings, and could bear implications for their monitoring in the preventive care of unvarnished oil paintings on canvas.
Springer
2023
This report presents European interim air quality maps for 2022, which are based on the non-validated up-to-date (UTD) measurement data and the CAMS Ensemble Forecast modelling results, together with other supplementary data. It contains maps of PM10 annual average, ozone indicator SOMO35 and NO2 annual average. Next to this, the report evaluates the PM2.5 annual mean interim mapping.
ETC/HE
2023