Circumpolar Trends of PCBs and Organochlorine Pesticides in the Arctic Marine Environment Inferred from Levels in Ringed Seals

2000 ◽  
Vol 34 (12) ◽  
pp. 2431-2438 ◽  
Author(s):  
Derek Muir ◽  
Frank Riget ◽  
Marianne Cleemann ◽  
Janneche Skaare ◽  
Lars Kleivane ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Organochlorine Pesticides ◽  
Marine Environment ◽  
The Arctic ◽  
Ringed Seals

The EU Influence on Norwegian Domestic Legislation for the Protection of the Arctic Marine Environment

2018 ◽  
Vol 33 (2) ◽  
pp. 415-435 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elise Johansen
Keyword(s):  
European Union ◽  
Marine Environment ◽  
The Arctic ◽  
European Economic Area ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Environmental Legislation ◽  
Economic Area ◽  
Domestic Legislation ◽  
Marine Areas ◽  
The Eu

Abstract In the last several decades, the European Union (EU) has demonstrated its intention to play an important role in supporting Arctic cooperation and helping to meet the challenges now facing the region. Norway, one of the five Arctic coastal states, and the EU have cooperated closely in this regard, particularly through the Agreement on the European Economic Area (EEA Agreement). This article examines how Norway’s domestic legislation applicable to its Arctic marine areas has been influenced by the development of EU environmental legislation. Specifically, this paper provides a discussion and analysis of the relevant Norwegian laws and mechanisms used to regulate how EU environmental legislation has been incorporated into Norway’s domestic legislation through the EEA Agreement.

scholarly journals International governance of the arctic marine environment

2014 ◽  
Vol 1 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christian T. K.-H. Stadtländer
Keyword(s):  
Marine Environment ◽  
The Arctic ◽  
International Governance

scholarly journals Review article: How does glacier discharge affect marine biogeochemistry and primary production in the Arctic?

2020 ◽  
Vol 14 (4) ◽  
pp. 1347-1383 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark J. Hopwood ◽  
Dustin Carroll ◽  
Thorben Dunse ◽  
Andy Hodson ◽  
Johnna M. Holding ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Primary Production ◽  
Case Studies ◽  
Marine Environment ◽  
Ocean Circulation ◽  
Marine Ecosystem ◽  
Freshwater Discharge ◽  
The Arctic ◽  
Temporal Region ◽  
Marine Biogeochemistry ◽  
Spatio Temporal

Abstract. Freshwater discharge from glaciers is increasing across the Arctic in response to anthropogenic climate change, which raises questions about the potential downstream effects in the marine environment. Whilst a combination of long-term monitoring programmes and intensive Arctic field campaigns have improved our knowledge of glacier–ocean interactions in recent years, especially with respect to fjord/ocean circulation, there are extensive knowledge gaps concerning how glaciers affect marine biogeochemistry and productivity. Following two cross-cutting disciplinary International Arctic Science Committee (IASC) workshops addressing the importance of glaciers for the marine ecosystem, here we review the state of the art concerning how freshwater discharge affects the marine environment with a specific focus on marine biogeochemistry and biological productivity. Using a series of Arctic case studies (Nuup Kangerlua/Godthåbsfjord, Kongsfjorden, Kangerluarsuup Sermia/Bowdoin Fjord, Young Sound and Sermilik Fjord), the interconnected effects of freshwater discharge on fjord–shelf exchange, nutrient availability, the carbonate system, the carbon cycle and the microbial food web are investigated. Key findings are that whether the effect of glacier discharge on marine primary production is positive or negative is highly dependent on a combination of factors. These include glacier type (marine- or land-terminating), fjord–glacier geometry and the limiting resource(s) for phytoplankton growth in a specific spatio-temporal region (light, macronutrients or micronutrients). Arctic glacier fjords therefore often exhibit distinct discharge–productivity relationships, and multiple case-studies must be considered in order to understand the net effects of glacier discharge on Arctic marine ecosystems.

Concentrations, patterns and metabolites of organochlorine pesticides in relation to xenobiotic phase I and II enzyme activities in ringed seals (Phoca hispida) from Svalbard and the Baltic Sea

2009 ◽  
Vol 157 (8-9) ◽  
pp. 2428-2434 ◽  
Author(s):  
Heli Routti ◽  
Bert van Bavel ◽  
Robert J. Letcher ◽  
Augustine Arukwe ◽  
Shaogang Chu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Phase I ◽  
Baltic Sea ◽  
Organochlorine Pesticides ◽  
Enzyme Activities ◽  
Phoca Hispida ◽  
The Baltic Sea ◽  
Ringed Seals ◽  
The Baltic ◽  
Phase I And Ii

Short Assessment Survey of Organochlorine Pesticides in Marine Environment of Damb (Sonmiani) Balochistan

2013 ◽  
Vol 3 (3) ◽  
pp. 107-115 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Saleem ◽  
S. H. N. Rizvi ◽  
J. Aftab ◽  
S. Kahkashan ◽  
A. A. Khan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Organochlorine Pesticides ◽  
Marine Environment ◽  
Assessment Survey

scholarly journals Status and biology of ringed seals (Phoca hispida) in Svalbard

1998 ◽  
Vol 1 ◽  
pp. 46 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christian Lydersen
Keyword(s):  
Body Mass ◽  
Dive Duration ◽  
Early Spring ◽  
Ringed Seal ◽  
The Arctic ◽  
Polar Cod ◽  
Net Energy ◽  
Adult Males ◽  
Ringed Seals ◽  
Males And Females

The ringed seal is the most abundant mammal in the Svalbard area. Annual pup production in this area is estimated to be 20,000. No systematic harvest records exist, but some few hundred seals are taken annually, mainly for dog food. The ringed seals in Svalbard are protected from hunting in the period 15 March - 15 April. Peak pupping season is the first week of April. New-born ringed seals weigh an average of 4.6 kg. They are nursed for about 39 days, and weaned at an average body mass of around 22 kg. During the period of maternal care pups consume a total of about 54 litres of milk, that is composed of approximately 38% fat and 10% protein. Asymptotic standard lengths and body masses for adult ringed seal males and females are 131.5 and 127.8 cm, and 52.6 and 59.9 kg,respectively. The maximum values recorded for lengths of males and females in Svalbard are 157 cm and 107 kg, respectively. There is marked seasonal variation in body mass in both sexes with the highest mass records being recorded in early spring before pupping occurs, and with minimum values in the summer after the breeding and moulting seasons. The observed variation in mass is mainly due to changing blubber thickness of the seals. Ringed seal males attain sexual maturity at the age of 5 - 7 years, while females reach maturity when they are 3-5 years of age. The oldest seal collected in Svalbard was aged 45. Ringed seals in the Svalbard area feed on a variety of prey organisms, the most important of which are polar cod (Boreogadus saida) and the crustaceans Parathemisto libellula, Thysanoessa inermis and Pandalus borealis. Ringed seal pups start diving during the nursing period while they are still white-coats, and spend about 50% of the time in thewater prior to weaning. They are capable of diving for up to 12min and dive to the bottom of the study areas (max. 89 m). Nursing females spend more than 80% of their time in the water. Maximum recorded dive duration for mothers was 21.2 min. In order to produce a weaned pup, the net energy expenditure for a ringed seal mother is 1,073 MJ. This energy value corresponds to the consumption of 185 kg of polar cod or 282 kg of P. libellula. The annual gross energy consumption for adult males and females is calculated to be 5,600 MJ and 7,300 MJ, respectively. The main predators of ringed seals in Svalbard are polar bears (Ursus maritimus) and Arctic foxes (Alopex lagopus). In addition, both glaucous gulls (Larus hyperboreus) and walruses (Odobenus rosmarus) are documented as predators of ringed seals in this area. Heavy predation pressure is probably the main factor explaining why pups of this species start diving at such a young age, why they have access to so many breathing holes (8.7 on average) and why they keep their white coat long after its thermoregulatory properties have vanished. Pollution levels in ringed seals from Svalbard are, generally speaking, similar to levels in other areas of the Arctic.

scholarly journals Variation in body size of ringed seals (Pusa hispida hispida) across the circumpolar Arctic: evidence of morphs, ecotypes or simply extreme plasticity?

2021 ◽  
Vol 40 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kit M. Kovacs ◽  
John Citta ◽  
Tanya Brown ◽  
Rune Dietz ◽  
Steve Ferguson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Body Size ◽  
The Arctic ◽  
Age At Maturity ◽  
Adaptation To Climate Change ◽  
Eastern Canada ◽  
Genetic Studies ◽  
Ringed Seals ◽  
Pusa Hispida ◽  
Potential Adaptation ◽  
Circumpolar Arctic

The ringed seal is a small phocid seal that has a northern circumpolar distribution. It has long been recognized that body size is variable in ringed seals, and it has been suggested that ecotypes that differ in size exist. This study explores patterns of body size (length and girth) and age-at-maturity across most of the Arctic subspecies’ range using morphometric data from 35 sites. Asymptotic lengths varied from 113 to 151 cm, with sites falling into five distinct size clusters (for each sex). Age-at-maturity ranged from 3.1 to 7.4 years, with sites that had early ages of sexual maturity generally having small length-at-maturity and small final body length. The sexes differed in length at some sites, but not in a consistent pattern of dimorphism. The largest ringed seals occurred in western Greenland and eastern Canada, and the smallest occurred in Alaska and the White Sea. Latitudinal trends occurred only within sites in the eastern Canadian Arctic. Girth (with length and season accounted for) was also highly variable but showed no notable spatial pattern; males tended to be more rotund than females. Genetic studies are needed, starting with the “giants” at Kangia (Greenland) and in northern Canada to determine whether they are genetically distinct ecotypes. Additional research is also needed to understand the ecological linkages that drive the significant regional size differences in ringed seals that were confirmed in this study, and also to understand their implications with respect to potential adaptation to climate change.

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