Monitoring of environmental toxins in the nearshore area of Xstrata Nikkelverk AS in Kristiansand in 2012: Metals in sediments, water and blue mussels

Summary

Xstrata Nikkelverk AS, Kristiansand, conducts a monitoring program of the sea area near to the facility in Kristiansand fjord, S Norway. The program complements and is connected to the national monitoring of this fjord. In 2012, the analysis of arsenic in water and mussels were performed along with a comprehensive survey of metal concentrations in the sediments. The results showed that the arsenic content in water and blue mussels were low. The sediment survey showed that the cap of clean sand placed around year 2000 has been recontaminated. A strategy for further time trend monitoring is suggested.