MAREANO - Organic contaminants, inorganic composition, physical properties and radioisotopes

Selected groups of organic contaminants (hydrocarbons - 48 PAH, THC, brominated flame retardants – 26 PBDE, chlorinated contaminants – 9 PCB and 9 chlorinated pesticides, contaminants of emerging concern - 20 PFAS, 3 siloxanes, 3 chlorinated paraffins, 21 PFR, 7 dechloranes, 6 alkylphenols and alkylphenol ethoxylates and bisphenol A), 8 inorganic composition pollutants, barium, radioactive cesium-137, microplastic and physical properties are measured in surface and near-surface sediments from the Norwegian continental shelf in the Barents, Norwegian Seas and the North Sea since 2006. Several sampling cruises each year deliver on average 10-20 new locations for investigation annually. The results included in the dataset are further available as maps as well as detailed reports on www.mareano.no (updated by the end of each year). The Geological Survey of Norway (NGU) is responsible for the analysis of the inorganic chemical composition pollutants (heavy metals) and of physical parameters, while IMR is responsible for the analysis of the organic compounds. Dating of selected sediment cores, based on radioisotopes Pb-210 and Cs-137, provides information on rates of sedimentation and accumulation of contaminants. In some selected cores C-14 is also used for dating. In addition, the dataset contains data for sediment samples collected by IMR in 2003-2004 and by the Marine Coastal Basemap project since 2020.