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Abstract:
Selected groups of organic contaminants (hydrocarbons - 48 PAH, THC, 27 brominated flame retardants – PBDE, chlorinated contaminants – 9 PCB and 9 chlorinated pesticides), inorganic composition and physical properties are measured in surface and near-surface sediments from the Norwegian continental shelf in the Barents and Norwegian Seas since 2006. Several sampling cruises each year deliver on average 10-20 new locations for investigation annually. The results are 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 analysis of the inorganic chemical composition and of physical parameters, while IMR is responsible for 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 the same data for sediment samples collected by IMR in 2003-2004.