Variability of present and past PAH concentrations in sediments of the SW Barents Sea

Published version. Source at http://www.geologi.no/index.php/norwegian-journal-of-geology-91/details/1/538-538.The concentration and distribution of polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in surface and subsurface sediment samples from Tromsøflaket and Ingøydjupet, southwestern Barents Sea, were investigated in order to provide insight into the levels and origins of PAHs in a region with petroleum activities. PAH profiles in sediments were evaluated in context with sediment grain size and total organic carbon in order to assess the influence of ocean currents on the transportation and deposition of PAHs. The PAH concentrations are of background (Level I) to good level (Level II) based on the Water Framework Directive classification system. SUM PAH (SUM of 26 PAH compounds) ranged from 39 to 2197 µg/kg (average 225 µg/kg), and NPD (naphthalene, phenanthrene and dibenzothiophene, including their C1–C3 alkyl homologues) in surface samples ranged from 14 to 2045 µg/kg (average 157 µg/kg). However, the average values presented here are higher than have been reported in previous studies. The observed changes in PAH contents in surface and subsurface sediments vary in accordance with changes in grain size (clay and silt 17–99%) and total organic carbon content (0.37–0.98%). In turn, these sedimentary parameters are controlled by the inflow of Atlantic Water and the strength of the two predominating current systems in this region: the North Atlantic Current and Norwegian Coastal Current. Source-allocation modeling suggests that PAHs in surface samples are mainly of pyrogenic or mixed pyrogenic and petrogenic origin. Taken together, these patterns of PAH levels and sources reflect natural variability, indicating that the derived dataset establishes a pre-impacted baseline of the present state of the seafloor

Natural variability of benthic foraminiferal assemblages and metal concentrations during the last 150 years in the Ingøydjupet trough, SW Barents Sea.

Submitted manuscript version. Published version available at http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.marmicro.2015.09.005While today the SW Barents Sea is a relatively un-impacted and uncontaminated area, industrial activities related to the petroleum industry are projected to increase in the coming decades. This makes the area a valuable natural laboratory to establish pre-impacted baselines as a precursor for future seabed monitoring programs. Here we present benthic foraminiferal assemblages and metal concentrations in four sediment cores from the Ingøydjupet trough, SW Barents Sea, covering approximately the last 150 years. This information supports the application of foraminiferal assemblages as a bio-monitoring tool applicable in high latitudes. At all stations, metal concentrations in the sediment correspond to no effect concentrations. The downcore metal concentrations are mainly attributed to natural variability of the clay fraction and total organic content of the sediments. Agglutinated foraminifera are poorly preserved down-core. Patterns in the calcareous foraminiferal assemblages suggest an enhanced food supply as a result of increased Atlantic Water inflow through the region during the last 150 years. At near-shore stations, the Norwegian Coastal Current additionally influences assemblages. Decadal scale climatic oscillations are indicated by increased calcareous fluxes and are attributed to variability in the food-rich Atlantic Water. This study serves as an important baseline data set prior to increasing industrial activities in the SW Barents Sea, and thereby contributes to a better understanding of natural environmental variability

Substrate limitation of a habitat-forming genus Fucus under different water clarity scenarios in the northern Baltic Sea

Canopy-forming macroalgae living on rocky bottoms provide valuable ecosystem services but long-term eutrophication has narrowed their distribution and depth zonation in the Baltic Sea. The spatial distribution of macroalgae is shaped by many factors, such as light, salinity, nutrients and wave exposure. In addition, the lack of suitable hard substrates limits the distribution of algae in many areas. Analysing how the spatial distribution of macroalgae is modified by changes in environmental conditions is relevant for focusing management actions. To quantify the resultant distribution under various environmental and management scenarios, both current environmental conditions and substrate limitation need to be considered. We estimated the potential distribution area of bladderwrack Fucus spp. under 11 water transparency scenarios in 9 Finnish sea areas differing in morphology and eutrophication status. The prevailing averaged long-term water transparency conditions were interpreted from satellite images. Ten scenarios were calculated based on hypothetical changes in euphotic depth from −50% to +50% of the present. Species distribution modelling was used to assess the potential distribution areas of Fucus. In addition, to quantify the influence of substrate limitation, we estimated the average substrate limitation with two correction methods: (i) by using field data from underwater videos within the predicted distribution areas and (ii) by using a habitat model representing the distribution of reefs (i.e. rocky bottoms) in the study area. The decrease of euphotic depth by 50% from the present level narrowed the distribution area of Fucus by 24–53% in the Southwestern archipelago, 55–70% in the Gulf of Finland, 37–66% in the Bothnian Sea and 59–100% in Kvarken. An increase in euphotic depth significantly broadened the spatial distribution of Fucus. Decreasing share of suitable hard substrate along depth gradient however hinders broadening of the distribution area. If all areas were suitable for growth, a 50% increase in euphotic depth would expand the distribution area by 124–803%, depending on area. When only suitable substrates were taken into account, this percentage remained at 9–270%. We conclude that substrate limitation needs to be taken into account when estimating macroalgal species distribution in the marine environment. We show how this can be done also when comprehensive bottom substrate maps are not available. Our results are valuable when setting the targets for environmental management plans, and for balancing the local management measures in a cost effective manner. Highlights • Benthic light conditions affect the distribution of canopy-forming macroalgae Fucus. • Also substrate limits the distribution and zonation of Fucus. • Scenario modelling and substrate correction methods were utilised. • Sea areas differ in substrate composition which affects potential distribution area. • Substrate limitation is more pronounced in inner than in outer archipelago

The effect of SME internationalization motivators on initial and successive international market entry mode choice

Source at https://vkm.no/In preparation for a legal implementation of EU-regulation 1829/2003, the Norwegian Environment Agency (former Norwegian Directorate for Nature Management) has requested the Norwegian Food Safety Authority (NFSA) to give final opinions on all genetically modified organisms (GMOs) and products containing or consisting of GMOs that are authorized in the European Union under Directive 2001/18/EC or Regulation 1829/2003/EC within the Authority’s sectoral responsibility. The Norwegian Food Safety Authority has therefore, by letter dated 13 February 2013 (ref. 2012/150202), requested the Norwegian Scientific Committee for Food Safety (VKM) to carry out scientific risk assessments of 39 GMOs and products containing or consisting of GMOs that are authorized in the European Union. The request covers scope(s) relevant to the Gene Technology Act. The request does not cover GMOs that VKM already has conducted its final risk assessments on. However, the Agency requests VKM to consider whether updates or other changes to earlier submitted assessments are necessary.I forbindelse med forberedelse til implementering av EU-forordning 1829/2003 i norsk rett har Miljødirektoratet (tidligere Direktoratet for Naturforvalting) bedt Mattilsynet om vurderinger av allegenmodifiserte organismer (GMOer) og avledete produkter som inneholder eller består av GMOer som er godkjent under forordning 1829/2003 eller direktiv 2001/18 som er godkjent for ett eller flere bruksområder som omfattes av genteknologiloven. På den bakgrunnen har Mattilsynet, i brev av 13. februar 2013 (ref. 2012/150202), bedt Vitenskapskomiteen for mattrygghet (VKM) om å utarbeide endelige vitenskapelige risikovurderinger av 39 GMOer og avledete produkter som inneholder eller består av genmodifiserte organismer, innen Mattilsynets sektoransvar. VKM er bedt om endelige risikovurderinger for de EU-godkjente søknader hvor VKM ikke har avgitt endelig risikovurdering. I tillegg er VKM bedt om å vurdere hvorvidt det er nødvendig med oppdatering eller annen endring av de endelige risikovurderingene som VKM tidligere har lever

Toddlers’ diurnal cortisol levels affected by out-of-home, center-based childcare and at-home, guardian-supervised childcare: comparison between different caregiving contexts

Previous research suggests that attending non-parental out-of-home childcare is associated with elevated cortisol levels for some children. We aimed to compare diurnal saliva cortisol levels between children having out-of-home, center-based childcare or those having at-home, guardian-supervised childcare in Finland. A total of 213 children, aged 2.1 years (SD = 0.6), were drawn from the ongoing Finnish birth cohort study. Saliva samples were collected over 2 consecutive days (Sunday and Monday), with four samples drawn during each day: 30 min after waking up in the morning, at 10 am, between 2 and 3 pm, and in the evening before sleep. These results suggest that the shapes of the diurnal cortisol profiles were similar in both childcare groups following a typical circadian rhythm. However, the overall cortisol levels were on average 30% higher (95% CI: [9%, 54%], p = .004) with the at-home childcare in comparison with the out-of-home childcare group. Furthermore, a slight increase in the diurnal cortisol pattern was noticed in both groups and in both measurement days during the afternoon. This increase was 27% higher ([2%, 57%], p = .031) in the out-of-home childcare group during the out-of-home childcare day in comparison with the at-home childcare day. The elevated afternoon cortisol levels were partly explained by the afternoon naps, but there were probably other factors as well producing the cortisol rise during the afternoon hours. Further research is needed to define how a child’s individual characteristic as well as their environmental factors associate with cortisol secretion patterns in different caregiving contexts.</p

Nationell kvalitetsrekommendation för palliativ vård och vård i livets slutskede

Nationell kvalitetsrekommendation för palliativ vård och vård i livets slutskede är avsedd som grund för kvalitetsuppföljning för alla social- och hälsovårdsenheter där man vårdar personer i livets slutskede. För yrkesutbildade personer och chefer inom hälso- och sjukvården är kvalitetsrekommendationen till hjälp vid bedömning av verksamhetens kvalitet samt vid fastställande av vilken vårdnivå man bör eftersträva. Den anger vilka omständigheter i verksamheten man bör fästa särskild uppmärksamhet vid och i vilken riktning man bör utveckla verksamheten. För aktörer med organiseringsansvar ger kvalitetsrekommendationen information om vilka resurser och strukturer som krävs för högklassig vård, vilken kvalitet som bör eftersträvas och förutsättas samt stöd vid bedömning av verksamhetens kvalitet. För patienten och dennes närstående är kvalitetsrekommendationen en beskrivning av den palliativa vården och dess kvalitet, såsom den kan förväntas vara. I kvalitetsrekommendationerna har man identifierat tio delområden för verksamheten, dvs. kvalitetsområden för att anordna och producera övergripande palliativ vård av god kvalitet. Kvalitetskriterier har fastställts för varje kvalitetsområde. Dessa kriterier är viktiga kännetecken som beskriver kvaliteten på vården eller tjänsten. I kvalitetsrekommendationen har man fastställt förslag på kvalitetsindikatorer för kvalitetskriterierna på allmän nivå. Med hjälp av dessa kvalitetsindikatorer kan man mäta kvalitetskriteriernas förverkligande

Palliatiivisen hoidon ja saattohoidon kansallinen laatusuositus

Palliatiivisen hoidon ja saattohoidon kansallinen laatusuositus on tarkoitettu laadun seurannan perusteeksi kaikille sosiaali- ja terveydenhuollon yksiköille, joissa hoidetaan elämän loppuvaiheessa olevia henkilöitä. Laatusuositus auttaa ammattilaisia ja esihenkilöitä arvioimaan oman toiminnan laatua sekä määrittämään minkälaista hoidon tasoa on syytä tavoitella. Suositus kertoo, mihin seikkoihin toiminnassa on syytä kiinnittää erityistä huomiota sekä mihin suuntaan sitä tulee kehittää. Järjestämisvastuussa oleville tahoille laatusuositus kertoo minkälaisia voimavaroja ja rakenteita laadukas hoito edellyttää, minkälaista laatua tulee tavoitella ja edellyttää sekä auttaa arvioimaan toiminnan laadukkuutta. Potilaalle ja hänen läheiselleen laatusuositus on puolestaan kuvaus palliatiivisesta hoidosta ja sen laadusta sellaisena kuin sitä on edellytys odottaa. Laatusuosituksessa on tunnistettu 10 toiminnan osa-aluetta kokonaisvaltaisen ja laadukkaan palliatiivisen hoidon järjestämiseksi ja tuottamiseksi. Kullekin laatualueelle on määritelty laatukriteereitä, jotka ovat tärkeitä hoidon tai palvelun laatua kuvaavia tunnusmerkkejä. Lisäksi laatukriteereille on määritelty yleisellä tasolla ehdotuksia laatuindikaattoreiksi, joiden avulla laatukriteerien toteutumista voidaan mitata

Child Temperament and Total Diurnal Cortisol in Out-of-Home Center-Based Child Care and in At-Home Parental Care

The association between child temperament characteristics and total diurnal saliva cortisol in 84 children (M = 2.3 years, SD = 0.6) attending out-of-home, center-based child care and 79 children (M = 2.0 years, SD = 0.5) attending at-home parental care was examined. Saliva samples were collected during two consecutive days, that is, Sunday and Monday, with four samples taken per day. While children higher in surgency had higher total diurnal cortisol production, we did not find evidence that temperament moderated the associations between child-care context and total diurnal cortisol. Negative affectivity and effortful control were not related to cortisol output. Our findings suggest that temperamental surgency may be associated with higher total cortisol production in early childhood across child-care settings.</p

Barents Sea Drill cuttings research initiative (BARCUT)-project - End report

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