Analytical procedures and interpretation basis for biomarkers used in environmental effect monitoring for the water column at the Norwegian continental shelf

Prosjektleder Jonny BeyerHerein, method description documents for the biomarker parameters that are required or recommended by the current edition of the guidelines for offshore water column monitoring at the Norwegian shelf (M-300, revised version 2020) are systemised, examined and discussed. The objective of this study is to assess the quality status of open and available method and analysis descriptions, identify any significant shortages on biomarker method descriptions and method validation issues and to discuss/suggest possible correcting and improving measures.Offshore Norge (formerly NOROG, Norwegian Oil and gas)publishedVersio

Environmental effects of offshore produced water discharges: A review focused on the Norwegian continental shelf

Produced water (PW), a large byproduct of offshore oil and gas extraction, is reinjected to formations or discharged to the sea after treatment. The discharges contain dispersed crude oil, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), alkylphenols (APs), metals, and many other constituents of environmental relevance. Risk-based regulation, greener offshore chemicals and improved cleaning systems have reduced environmental risks of PW discharges, but PW is still the largest operational source of oil pollution to the sea from the offshore petroleum industry. Monitoring surveys find detectable exposures in caged mussel and fish several km downstream from PW outfalls, but biomarkers indicate only mild acute effects in these sentinels. On the other hand, increased concentrations of DNA adducts are found repeatedly in benthic fish populations, especially in haddock. It is uncertain whether increased adducts could be a long-term effect of sediment contamination due to ongoing PW discharges, or earlier discharges of oil-containing drilling waste. Another concern is uncertainty regarding the possible effect of PW discharges in the sub-Arctic Southern Barents Sea. So far, research suggests that sub-arctic species are largely comparable to temperate species in their sensitivity to PW exposure. Larval deformities and cardiac toxicity in fish early life stages are among the biomarkers and adverse outcome pathways that currently receive much attention in PW effect research. Herein, we summarize the accumulated ecotoxicological knowledge of offshore PW discharges and highlight some key remaining knowledge needs.publishedVersio

Ciona spp. and ascidians as bioindicator organisms for evaluating effects of endocrine disrupting chemicals: A discussion paper

In context of testing, screening and monitoring of endocrine-disrupting (ED) type of environmental pollutants, tunicates could possibly represent a particularly interesting group of bioindicator organisms. These primitive chordates are already important model organisms within developmental and genomics research due to their central position in evolution and close relationship to vertebrates. The solitary ascidians, such as the genus Ciona spp. (vase tunicates), could possibly be extra feasible as ED bioindicators. They have a free-swimming, tadpole-like larval stage that develops extremely quickly (<20 h under favorable conditions), has a short life cycle (typically 2–3 months), are relatively easy to maintain in laboratory culture, have fully sequenced genomes, and transgenic embryos with 3D course data of the embryo ontogeny are available. In this article, we discuss possible roles of Ciona spp. (and other solitary ascidians) as ecotoxicological bioindicator organisms in general but perhaps especially for effect studies of contaminants with presumed endocrine disrupting modes of action.publishedVersio

Repeated environmental baseline survey at AF Miljøbase Vats in conjugation with the Ekofisk cessation EPRD project

In this study, the environmental contamination by AF Environmental Base Vats (AFEBV) was assessed before and after the facilities demolition activities in the Ekofisk cessation EPRD project. Seafloor debris and contaminant concentrations in soil, groundwater and fjord sediments were measured in 2015 and compared with similar data from the 2009 baseline study. ROV inspections found generally normal biological conditions of the algae and benthic animals but also much anthropogenic scrap at the seabed, although the amount has decreased by 2015 in comparison to 2009 as a result of clean-up operations. The survey revealed that soil in the ultimate vicinity of the base has become more contaminated with PAHs, metals and mercury in particular. The annual monitoring programme revealed peak concentrations in moss and soil samples in 2010, but subsequent actions to reduce spreading of dust from the working area have resulted in decreasing contaminant levels in both types of samples. Assessment of groundwater samples showed low levels of all contaminants, indicating that the impermeable deck at the base prevents contaminant transfer. Sediments collected in the fjord adjacent to the demolition plant showed PAH levels largely in class II, but one PAH component and TBT was in class IV. Similar findings of TBT and PAH have been reported before 2009 and no evidence was found for a consistent change in the level of these contaminant between 2009 and 2015. Levels of PCB7, mercury and other metals were generally low (class I) in sediment samples from all fjord stations.AF Offshore Deco

The ecotoxicology of marine tributyltin (TBT) hotspots: A review

Tributyltin (TBT) was widely used as a highly efficient biocide in antifouling paints for ship and boat hulls. Eventually, TBT containing paints became globally banned when TBT was found to cause widespread contamination and non-target adverse effects in sensitive species, with induced pseudohermaphroditism in female neogastropods (imposex) being the best-known example. In this review, we address the history and the status of knowledge regarding TBT pollution and marine TBT hotspots, with a special emphasis on the Norwegian coastline. The review also presents a brief update on knowledge of TBT toxicity in various marine species and humans, highlighting the current understanding of toxicity mechanisms relevant for causing endocrine disruption in marine species. Despite observations of reduced TBT sediment concentrations in many marine sediments over the recent decades, contaminant hotspots are still prevalent worldwide. Consequently, efforts to monitor TBT levels and assessment of potential effects in sentinel species being potentially susceptible to TBT in these locations are still highly warranted.publishedVersio

Blue mussels (Mytilus edulis spp.) as sentinel organisms in coastal pollution monitoring: A review

This is an Accepted Manuscript of an article published by Elsevier in Marine Environmental Research, available online: https://www.elsevier.com/The blue mussel (Mytilus spp.) is widely used as a bioindicator for monitoring of coastal water pollution (mussel watch programs). Herein we provide a review of this study field with emphasis on: the suitability of Mytilus spp. as environmental sentinels; uptake and bioaccumulation patterns of key pollutant classes; the use of Mytilus spp. in mussel watch programs; recent trends in Norwegian mussel monitoring; environmental quality standards and background concentrations of key contaminants; pollutant effect biomarkers; confounding factors; particulate contaminants (microplastics, engineered nanomaterials); climate change; harmonization of monitoring procedures; and the use of deployed mussels (transplant caging) in pollution monitoring. Lastly, the overall state of the art of blue mussel pollution monitoring is discussed and some important issues for future research and development are highlighted.acceptedVersio

Environmental harm assessment of a wastewater discharge from Hammerfest LNG: A study with biomarkers in mussels (Mytilus sp.) and Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua)

Biologically treated wastewater (WW) from the Hammerfest LNG (liquefied natural gas) plant is discharged to the sea. A study using biomarkers in mussels and Atlantic cod was performed to examine whether this discharge meets a zero harmful emission requirement. Caging of mussels close to the outfall and exposure of mussels and fish to WW in the laboratory were conducted, and a suite of contaminant responsive markers was assessed in exposed animals. In mussels the markers included chemical contaminant levels, haemocyte lysosomal instability and nucleus integrity, cellular energy allocation, digestive gland and gonad histopathology and shell-opening behaviour. In fish, biliary PAH metabolites and gill histopathology biomarkers were measured. A consistent cause-effect relationship between WW treatments and markers measured in test animals was not found. The results therefore indicate that the WW emission is unlikely to represent a significant stress factor for the local marine environment under the conditions studied.acceptedVersio

Risk assessment of dioxins, furans, and dioxin-like PCBs in food in Norway - Scientific Opinion of the Panel on Contaminants of the Norwegian Scientific Committee for Food and Environment

publishedVersio

Cyanobakterier og cyanotoksiner i norske drikkevannskilder - (VKM)

publishedVersio

Biomarkers in Natural Fish Populations Indicate Adverse Biological Effects of Offshore Oil Production

Despite the growing awareness of the necessity of a sustainable development, the global economy continues to depend largely on the consumption of non-renewable energy resources. One such energy resource is fossil oil extracted from the seabed at offshore oil platforms. This type of oil production causes continuous environmental pollution from drilling waste, discharge of large amounts of produced water, and accidental spills.Samples from natural populations of haddock (Melanogrammus aeglefinus) and Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) in two North Sea areas with extensive oil production were investigated. Exposure to and uptake of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were demonstrated, and biomarker analyses revealed adverse biological effects, including induction of biotransformation enzymes, oxidative stress, altered fatty acid composition, and genotoxicity. Genotoxicity was reflected by a hepatic DNA adduct pattern typical for exposure to a mixture of PAHs. Control material was collected from a North Sea area without oil production and from remote Icelandic waters. The difference between the two control areas indicates significant background pollution in the North Sea.It is most remarkable to obtain biomarker responses in natural fish populations in the open sea that are similar to the biomarker responses in fish from highly polluted areas close to a point source. Risk assessment of various threats to the marine fish populations in the North Sea, such as overfishing, global warming, and eutrophication, should also take into account the ecologically relevant impact of offshore oil production