Report

Monitoring of microplastics in the Norwegian environment (MIKRONOR) 2023

Alling, Vanja Karin Gunilla; Lund, Espen; Lusher, Amy Lorraine; Knight, Jemmima; Hjelset, Sverre; Singdahl-Larsen, Cecilie; Francés, Elena Martínez; Rødland, Elisabeth Strandbråten; Pakhomova, Svetlana; Snekkevik, Vilde Kloster; Consolaro, Chiara; Bavel, Bert van; Schmidt, Natascha; Herzke, Dorte

The MIKRONOR monitoring program aims to establish baseline levels of microplastics in the Norwegian environment and to identify potential sources and sinks. This third MIKRONOR report focuses mainly on results from air samples, including data on tyre wear particles (TWP), as well as river and fjord surface water samples, and their correlation to rainfall and river discharge levels. Additionally, it presents data from sand samples taken from an OSPAR beach in the outer Oslofjord. The results for 2023 provide evidence of the omnipresence of microplastics in the environment. However, levels were higher near cities and populated areas, with decreasing levels further from human activities. This trend was observed in both air and surface water samples. Sand samples from the OSPAR beach in the Oslofjord showed levels of microplastics comparable to, or slightly higher than studied eabches at Svalbard. Since no other beach studies have been conducted in the MIKRONOR program, it is difficult to determine typical microplastic levels on a beach in the outer Oslofjord. Determined levels of microplastics in the beach samples were comparable to levels in marine bottom sediment at remote areas along the coast and lower than levels in sediments from the Oslofjord. Main conclusions of this report highlight the need for further research into the processes that control the levels and variations of microplastics and TWPs, such as weather conditions, river discharge, and air mass movement. Sampling of different matrices should, where possible, be conducted using similar strategies and equipment to improve the comparability of results. Additionally, the high spatial and temporal variability between samples must be considered to determine the appropriate number of analyses needed to obtain reliable results.

Norsk institutt for vannforskning (NIVA)

Spredningsberegninger Ferrozink Trondheim AS. Dokumentasjon i forbindelse med utslippstillatelse

Berglen, Tore Flatlandsmo; Markelj, Miha

NILU

Nasjonalt samfunnsoppdrag om sirkulær økonomi. Forslag til organisering.

Möller, Charlotta; Tarrasón, Leonor; Guerreiro, Cristina

Denne rapporten inneholder forslag til organisering av et mulig nasjonalt samfunnsoppdrag om sirkulærøkonomien. Vårt forslag til organisering av et nasjonalt samfunnsoppdrag om sirkulær økonomi skiller seg noe fra eksisterende organisering av de to andre nasjonale samfunnsoppdragene i Norge i at den baserer seg på å etablere en omstillingslab. Omstillingslaben vil ha en rolle som likner på den «operativ gruppe» i de andre to nasjonale samfunnsoppdragene, men som er større i omfang, og har konkrete mål for oppfølgings- og medvirkningsprosesser mot målbar transformasjon.

NILU

Assessing the environmental burden of disease related to air pollution in Europe in 2022

Soares, Joana; Plass, Dietrich; Kienzler, Sarah; Ortiz, Alberto González; Gsella, Artur; Horálek, Jan

This report evaluates the health burden due to long-term exposure to PM2.5, NO2, and O3 across Europe in 2022. By analysing all-cause and cause-specific mortality and morbidity, it estimates disease burden using four indicators: Attributable Deaths (AD), Years of Life Lost, Years Lived with Disability, and Disability-Adjusted Life Years (DALY). However, the main results only consider the impact of exposure to levels of pollutants exceeding the current WHO air quality guidelines. The results indicate that PM2.5 contributes the most significant health impact (linked to six diseases), resulting in over 2.7 million DALY across 40 countries, and resulting in 269 000 AD, with mortality rates peaking in Eastern Europe. The report introduces methodological advancements, assessing the long-term impacts of O3 for the first time. Findings underscore the critical need for targeted air quality interventions, as pollution continues to drive significant health losses across the continent, particularly among vulnerable populations.

ETC/HE

BTEX fra vannrenseanlegg ved Mongstad raffineri. Spredningsberegninger utslipp til luft

Berglen, Tore Flatlandsmo; Markelj, Miha

NILU