Radioelement (U,Th, Rn) concentrations in Norwegian bedrock groundwaters

Twenty-eight samples of groundwater from bedrock boreholes in three distinct Norwegian geological provinces have been taken and analyzed for content of Rn, U, and Th, together with a wide variety of minor and major species. Median values of 290 Bq/1, 7.6 g/1, and 0.02 g/1 were obtained for Rn, U, and Th respectively, while maximum values were 8500 Bq/1, 170 g/1, and 2.2 g/1. Commonly suggested drinking water limits range from 8 to 1000 Bq/1 for radon and 14 to 160 g/1 for uranium. Radioelement content was closely related to lithology, the lowest concentrations being derived from the largely Caledonian rocks of the Trøndelag area, and the highest from the Precambrian Iddefjord Granite of southeast Norway (11 boreholes) where median values of 2500 Bq/1, 15 g/1 and 0.38 g/1, respectively, were obtained. The Iddefjord Granite is not believed to be unique in Norway in yielding high dissolved radionuclide contents in groundwaters, and several other granitic aquifers warrant further investigation in this respect.     

Soft-bottom macrofauna and responses to organic enrichment in the subarctic wates of Tromsø, northern Norway

The soft-bottom macrofauna (> 1 mm) of Tromsøysund and Sandnessund near Tromsø, northern Norway (69°40′N, 19°0′E) was sampled quantitatively in 1983, 1990 and 1992 in order to assess enrichment effects from discharges of municipal sewage and fish factory effluents. The studies comprised 30 stations between 7 and 40 m depth at varying distances from effluent outfalls. In total 395 species/taxa were recorded. The polychaetes were the most important group both with regard to the numbers of species (146) and specimens (80% of total), but bivalves and amphipods were also common. Most stations had species numbers between 40 and 100 and densities between 2000 and 8000 ind. per m². The species assemblages could be related to organic enrichment, depth and sampling year. Evidence suggests that the organic discharges did not seriously affect the waters surrounding Tromsø, but the generally high abundances, the prevalence of polychaetes and a numerical importance of ‘opportunistic’ species (Polydora, Chaetozone, Heteromastus) might suggest that the whole area was stimulated by the organic inputs. Sharply delimited strongly enriched zones characterized by dense populations of Capitella capitata were found on shallow sites close to large outfalls in Tromsøysund. These local and restricted effects of the discharges may be related to strong tidal currents and wave action that disperse effluent components. The faunal composition remained largely stable from 1983 to 1992 at 9 revisited stations, but the number of small bivalve and crustacean taxa increased and the abundance of the dominant polychaete Polydora socialis strongly decreased. The effluent discharges were supposed to have increased from 1983 to 1992, but the faunal changes did not provide evidence of an increased enrichment of the area during the period.     

Esterase activities and lipid peroxidation levels in offshore commercial species of the NW Mediterranean Sea

There is a lack of information on monitoring neurotoxicity in offshore commercial species. To help fill this gap, we sampled hake (Merluccius merluccius) and Norway lobster (Nephrops norvegicus) in fishing grounds off the coast of l’Ametlla de Mar (NW Mediterranean) in June 2005 at a depth of 100 m and 400 m. Additionally, at 400 m depth, two other fish species, Micromesistius poutassou and Phycis blennoides were included. Neurotoxicity markers such as Colinesterases (ChEs), namely acethyl- (AChE), butyryl- (BChE), propionyl- (PrChE) and carboxilesterase (CbE) were measured in muscle. Lipid peroxidation (LP), a marker of oxidative damage, was also included. The results are discussed in relation to the animal’s sex, size and fishing depth. A comparison of esterases and LP levels between muscle and liver of hake and between muscle and hepatopancreas of Norway Lobster was made.

AChE was dominant in muscle and CbE in hepatopancreas. No differences between fish species were seen for AChE. However, N. norvegicus, presented lower levels of ChEs and LP. A size-dependence in ChEs was seen for M. merluccius, with larger animals showing significantly lower activities (p < 0.05). Sex-dependence was seen in N. norvegicus for most esterases, except AChE, with males displaying higher activities (p < 0.05). A sampling-depth effect was also seen in the crustacea, with animals from 100 m generally presenting lower esterase activities and higher LP levels.     

Earth hummocks in north-east Okstindan,northern Norway: Morphology,distribution and environmental constraints

Gurney, S.D. & Hayward, S. 2015. Earth hummocks in north-east Okstindan, northern Norway: Morphology, distribution and environmental constraints. Norsk Geografisk Tidsskrift–Norwegian Journal of Geography. ISSN 0029-1951.

Earth hummocks (also termed pounus or thúfur) are a common form of periglacial non-sorted patterned ground. The study objectives were to determine the morphology, distribution and development on slopes of earth hummocks in north-east Okstindan, Norway, an area with many hummocks but few documented accounts. The methodology involved detailed geomorphological mapping and precise measurement with a profileometer. The internal structure of the hummocks was investigated through excavations and sediment sample analyses. Fourteen sites with well-developed earth hummocks (accounting for over 650 individual hummock forms) were investigated. The sites have an average altitude of 750?m and occur on slopes with an average gradient of 7°. The hummock heights are in the range 0.11–0.52?m and their diameters 0.7–1.5?m, although coalescent forms are up to 5?m in length. The hummock morphology is characterised by a variable plan form, asymmetry with respect to upslope and downslope forms, downslope elongation, coalescence, and superimposed microtopography. The hummocks’ distribution appeared to have been controlled by the existence of a frost-susceptible ‘host’ sediment, but moisture availability and topographic position played a role. The authors conclude that differential frost heave and vegetation cover stability are critical for the hummocks’ longevity in the studied landscape.     

The local impact of increased numbers of state employees on start-ups in Norway

ABSTRACT

The purpose of the article is to assess the impact of concentrations of state employees on local growth and development. Local multiplier effect theory suggests that the increased local demand for state employees, especially highly skilled employees, would stimulate the local supply of goods and services, and hence local development. However, other theories of regional development have shown that factors such as having a university or city size may also explain why some municipalities with a high percentage of state employees grow faster than others. Following a multilevel panel data analysis of Norwegian municipalities, the author found that the percentage of state employees did not have any effect on local development, measured in terms of the relative number of start-up firms or population growth. While there was a small positive effect of state employees in the bivariate model, state employees did not have a significant effect on local development when controlling for relevant factors such as municipality size or the presence of universities. The author concludes that the relocation of state employees may be a rather limited tool for stimulating local and regional growth and, if applied, policymakers should consider how the relocation could stimulate place-sensitive development in individual municipalities.     

东南亚夏季强降水的基本物理量场的诊断分析

本文对东南亚夏季5月、6月、7月份的四个强降水过程进行研究，通过对其相应的基本物理量场的作诊断分析，研究东南亚地区夏季强降水的物理机制，为东南亚地区的强降水分析和预报提供依据。