The use of lichen (Cetraria nivalis) and moss (Rhacomitrium lanuginosum) as monitors for atmospheric deposition in Greenland.

Concentrations of Pb, Cd, Hg, Zn, Cu, Cr, Ni, As, V, Al and Fe are reported from soil, humus, moss (Rhacomitrium lanuginosum) and lichen (Cetraria nivalis) sampled at four locations in Greenland. For Al, Fe, Cr and V the levels in soil were highest followed by humus and R. lanuginosum and with the lowest levels in C. nivalis. The same was true for Pb, Cu and Ni but without as great a difference between medias. For Cd and Hg, the lowest levels were found in soil. For Zn and As, the media with highest levels differed between locality. Data were examined by a principal component analysis. Three principal components explained 87% of the total variation. The dominant elements in the first component were Fe, Al, V, Ni, Cr, Cu and Pb. This component is interpreted as a soil dust factor. The concentrations in R. lanuginosum and C. nivalis of these elements are believed to be highly influenced by soil dust. Pb concentrations in moss and lichen may also be influenced by other sources as Pb also had some correlation's with the third component. Zn and Cd and to a lesser extent. As were the dominant elements in the second component. The third component was highly dominated by Hg with a lesser influence of Pb and As, Zn, Cd and Hg concentrations in R. lanuginosum and C. nivalis are believed to be influenced by other sources than soil dust which may be long-range atmospheric transport. In general, both the within locality and the between locality variability in the values of the three components decreased in the order soil, humus, R. lanuginosum and C. nivalis. The lichen C. nivalis is looked at as an indicator with greater potential for monitoring atmospheric deposition of elements than the moss R. lanuginosum.

Lead, zinc, cadmium, mercury, selenium and copper in Greenland caribou and reindeer (Rangifer tarandus).

Samples of caribou and reindeer muscle (127 samples) and liver (126 samples) were collected from four locations during two seasons plus 3 years in Greenland. The levels of lead, zinc, cadmium, mercury, selenium, and copper were determined, and analyzed in relation to location, two seasons, age and year of sampling. The lead concentrations (geometric mean) ranged from below the detection limit to 0.007 microgram/g wet weight (wet wt.) in muscle and from 0.027 to 0.926 microgram/g wet wt. in liver. Zinc geometric mean concentrations ranged from 17.5 to 39.6 micrograms/g wet wt. in muscle and from 23.2 to 31.7 micrograms/g wet wt. in liver. For cadmium, the geometric mean concentrations were at, or below the detection limit in muscle, while concentrations in liver ranged from 0.121 to 0.695 microgram/g wet wt. Mercury levels ranged from 0.003 to 0.043 microgram/g wet wt. in muscle and from 0.040 to 0.618 microgram/g wet wt. in liver. Selenium concentration levels in muscle ranged from 0.030 to 0.252 microgram/g wet wt., and from 0.085 to 0.984 microgram/g wet wt. in liver. Copper levels in muscle ranged from 2.09 to 3.60 micrograms/g wet wt., and from 21.8 to 71.0 micrograms/g wet wt. in liver. Mercury concentrations were higher than those found at lower latitudes in Norway and Canada, especially in Isortoq in southern Greenland. Selenium levels were also high compared to other Arctic regions. Concentrations of lead, zinc, cadmium and copper are similar to those reported in caribou from Canada and Norway. Concentrations of elements generally decreased in the following order: Isortoq > Akia > Itinnera > Kangerlussuaq, and there was only found minor variation in the annual levels during 3 years in Itinnera. Late winter levels were generally significantly higher than early winter levels especially in the lichen-rich localities, and it is suggested that the availability of lichens as winter forage is the key determining the level of elements. Accordingly, when using caribou and reindeer as monitoring organism, knowledge of winter forage is very important for interpretation of results.

Mercury in Arctic char (Salvelinus alpinus) populations from Greenland.

Mercury concentrations were determined in muscle tissue of lake resident and anadromous populations of Arctic char in Greenland. Mercury in lake sediment, and in soil and humus from the surrounding area were also determined in the main localities. Fish length and dry weight were shown to be important covariables, which have to be taken into account when comparing mercury levels between populations. Variations in fat content did not contribute further to the differing mercury concentrations. Mercury concentrations in lake sediments, humus from around the lakes and resident populations of Arctic char from west Greenland and south-west Greenland were higher than for populations from east Greenland and north-west Greenland. The mercury level in anadromous populations was found to be 10-15-fold lower than that found in lake resident populations, and similar to that found in marine fish species. Methyl mercury was determined in two of the populations investigated, and constituted 72-92% of the total mercury.

Organochlorines in Greenland lake sediments and landlocked Arctic char (Salvelinus alpinus).

Lake sediments and landlocked Arctic char (Salvelinus alpinus) were sampled in 1994 and 1995 at four different locations in Greenland, three at the west coast and one at the east coast. Sediments, char muscle and char liver were analysed for PCBs (10 congeners), DDTs (pp'), HCHs (alpha, beta, gamma), dieldrin, HCB and chlordanes (5) and char in addition to toxaphene (total and 4 congeners). All organochlorines in the sediment samples were below the detection limit of 0.1 microgram kg-1 dry wt., while the overall geometric means in Arctic char muscle were, in microgram kg-1 wet wt., for PCBs 11 (range 1-140), for DDTs 4.0 (1-35), for HCHs 0.4 (0.06-1.5), for dieldrin 0.7 (< 0.1-4.2), for HCB 0.7 (0.09-3.8), for chlordanes 4.8 (1-57) and for total toxaphene 13 (1-180). The sums of PCBs, DDTs, chlordanes and total toxaphene disclosed higher concentrations in muscle of char from the east coast compared to char from the west coast. Dieldrin and HCB showed the same tendency, but less pronounced, while the sum of HCHs were found in highest concentrations at the west coast. PCB, DDT, chlordane and toxaphene concentrations showed a decreasing trend following the East Greenland Current. Principal component analysis on PCB congeners showed that the proportion of higher chlorinated PCBs (Cl > 5) were higher in Qaqortoq in south Greenland compared to the three other sampling areas in Greenland. However, no correlation was seen either between degree of chlorination and latitude or between degree of chlorination and PCB concentrations.