The situation in Norway The situation in Norway concerning concerning

sediments/dredgingsediments/dredging

Tore Lundestad, Port of Borg, Tore Lundestad, Port of Borg, NorwayNorway

This is what all is about!This is what all is about!

Sediment Remediation in Sediment Remediation in Norway - summaryNorway - summary• Background.Background.

Several fjords and harbors in Norway have suffered extensive contamination of trace Several fjords and harbors in Norway have suffered extensive contamination of trace metals as well as organic pollutants due to a long history of industrial activities. As a metals as well as organic pollutants due to a long history of industrial activities. As a consequence fish and shellfish at a large number of sites contain levels of consequence fish and shellfish at a large number of sites contain levels of contaminants above what is considered recommendable for human consumption. To-contaminants above what is considered recommendable for human consumption. To-day, the most important primary sources of pollutants have been cut and the day, the most important primary sources of pollutants have been cut and the remaining problem is contaminated soil and sediments.remaining problem is contaminated soil and sediments.

• Actions taken.Actions taken.The Department of the Environment has launched a national remediation plan for The Department of the Environment has launched a national remediation plan for contaminated marine sediments. A National Board was established in November contaminated marine sediments. A National Board was established in November 2003 to give advices to the Norwegian EPA regarding decision making, need of 2003 to give advices to the Norwegian EPA regarding decision making, need of documentation, monitoring of effects, identification of gaps of knowledge, choice of documentation, monitoring of effects, identification of gaps of knowledge, choice of remedial techniques etc. remedial techniques etc.

• Contaminated sediments.Contaminated sediments.Due to a low rate of natural sediment input to fjords and harbours in Norway, the Due to a low rate of natural sediment input to fjords and harbours in Norway, the bottom sediments contain high levels of trace metals and organic components in bottom sediments contain high levels of trace metals and organic components in places where industrial and urban discharges of effluents took place . The primary places where industrial and urban discharges of effluents took place . The primary constituents of concern are dioxins, PCBs, PAHs, TBT, brominated flame retardants constituents of concern are dioxins, PCBs, PAHs, TBT, brominated flame retardants and mercury, cadmium and lead. Experimental work has been performed to assess and mercury, cadmium and lead. Experimental work has been performed to assess the mobility and bioavailability of contaminants in sediments (special volume in Mar. the mobility and bioavailability of contaminants in sediments (special volume in Mar. Pollut. Bull., vol.33, 1-6, 1996).Pollut. Bull., vol.33, 1-6, 1996).

Sediment Remediation in Sediment Remediation in Norway - summaryNorway - summary• Sediment management.Sediment management.

During the last 10 years, mapping and monitoring of sediments along the Norwegian During the last 10 years, mapping and monitoring of sediments along the Norwegian coastline have been executed. The levels measured have been compared with a set coastline have been executed. The levels measured have been compared with a set of national sediment quality criteria and in hot spot areas the levels of contaminants of national sediment quality criteria and in hot spot areas the levels of contaminants have also been measured in fish and shellfish. In areas where no local, primary point have also been measured in fish and shellfish. In areas where no local, primary point sources exist, and the level of contaminants in organisms exceed recommended sources exist, and the level of contaminants in organisms exceed recommended levels with respect to human consumptions, actions plans are made to reduce or levels with respect to human consumptions, actions plans are made to reduce or eliminate non-point sources (contaminated soil on land or contaminated bottom eliminate non-point sources (contaminated soil on land or contaminated bottom sediments). Each county is responsible for local action plans, but the work is sediments). Each county is responsible for local action plans, but the work is coordinated by the Norwegian EPA.coordinated by the Norwegian EPA.

• Sediment remediation.Sediment remediation.In Norway to-day few sediment remediation projects have been carried out. We are In Norway to-day few sediment remediation projects have been carried out. We are still in the planning stage. There is one full scale capping project carried out near a still in the planning stage. There is one full scale capping project carried out near a zinc plant (Odda) in 1992 and a few minor capping projects. Monitoring results zinc plant (Odda) in 1992 and a few minor capping projects. Monitoring results suggest that the capping has been successful.suggest that the capping has been successful.Our present recommendation is to avoid dredging and in stead use in situ capping Our present recommendation is to avoid dredging and in stead use in situ capping with clean, sandy material. In areas where sediment removal is necessary, like in with clean, sandy material. In areas where sediment removal is necessary, like in harbours and navigation channels, we have been considering dredging and harbours and navigation channels, we have been considering dredging and underwater disposal in anoxic fjord basins, followed by capping. Experimental work underwater disposal in anoxic fjord basins, followed by capping. Experimental work clearly indicates that capping of dredged material in anoxic basins is environmentally clearly indicates that capping of dredged material in anoxic basins is environmentally acceptable and economically feasible.acceptable and economically feasible.

The situation in Norway concerning The situation in Norway concerning sediments/dredgingsediments/dredging

• Information about the Norwegian coastInformation about the Norwegian coast• Dredging works in NorwayDredging works in Norway• What has been done in Norway the last What has been done in Norway the last

years on investigationsyears on investigations• Who are going to pay for the Who are going to pay for the

remediation?remediation?• The national action plan for sediment The national action plan for sediment

remediation in Norwayremediation in Norway

Information about the Information about the Norwegian coast Norwegian coast • The Norwegian coastline is about 2600 kmThe Norwegian coastline is about 2600 km• There are about 750 fishing ports in NorwayThere are about 750 fishing ports in Norway• There are 56 commercial portsThere are 56 commercial ports• There are more than 100 private port There are more than 100 private port

facilities related to industry activitiesfacilities related to industry activities• Lot of industry activities are located both in Lot of industry activities are located both in

harbours and Fjordsharbours and Fjords• Typical for a Fjord is the threshold in the Typical for a Fjord is the threshold in the

entranceentrance

Dredging works in NorwayDredging works in Norway• The main dredging in Norway has The main dredging in Norway has

been capital dredging.been capital dredging.• The capital dredging is mainly rock The capital dredging is mainly rock

blasting and solid sedimentsblasting and solid sediments• There is very little sedimentation in There is very little sedimentation in

fjords and harbours.fjords and harbours.• Due to that the environmental Due to that the environmental

problems are huge.problems are huge.

What has been done in Norway What has been done in Norway the last years on investigationsthe last years on investigations• Between 1992 and 1998 there has been carried out lot of Between 1992 and 1998 there has been carried out lot of

investigations about sediments in ports and fjords.investigations about sediments in ports and fjords.• More than 80 locations have been pointed out as priority areasMore than 80 locations have been pointed out as priority areas• Most of the commercial ports have contaminations in the Most of the commercial ports have contaminations in the

sediments. The main reason is the location in middle of the sediments. The main reason is the location in middle of the “city centre”“city centre”

• There is lot of contaminations in the fjords in areas with There is lot of contaminations in the fjords in areas with industry activitiesindustry activities

• The contaminations are result of 100 years of industrial activityThe contaminations are result of 100 years of industrial activity• Most of the industry are goneMost of the industry are gone• Port Authorities are sitting back with a huge problem created Port Authorities are sitting back with a huge problem created

by othersby others• The Norwegian EPA will in phase 1 give 13 Norwegian Port The Norwegian EPA will in phase 1 give 13 Norwegian Port

Authorities the responsibility for the remediation in their own Authorities the responsibility for the remediation in their own harbourharbour

Investigated areas along the Investigated areas along the coastcoast

Who are going to pay for the Who are going to pay for the remediation?remediation?• ““The Polluter Pay” is the basic principal in these issuesThe Polluter Pay” is the basic principal in these issues• Exciting industries are responsible for the sediment Exciting industries are responsible for the sediment

remediation related to their own activityremediation related to their own activity• Lot of industries are not able to take the bill from the Lot of industries are not able to take the bill from the

sediment remediation sediment remediation • The cost estimate is about 300 million Euro for the harbour The cost estimate is about 300 million Euro for the harbour

basins and between 1 and 4 Billion Euro for the “rest”basins and between 1 and 4 Billion Euro for the “rest”• The State have to take most of the cost if they want the The State have to take most of the cost if they want the

sediment remediation to be donesediment remediation to be done• As a result of the huge problem – The Department of As a result of the huge problem – The Department of

Environment has established a National Board to give Environment has established a National Board to give advices to the Norwegian EPA regarding decision making, advices to the Norwegian EPA regarding decision making, need of documentation, monitoring of effects, need of documentation, monitoring of effects, identifications of gaps of knowledge, choice of remedial identifications of gaps of knowledge, choice of remedial techniques etc.techniques etc.

The national action plan for sediment The national action plan for sediment remediation in Norwayremediation in Norway• The National Board has started up following The National Board has started up following

works:works:– Development of a tool for risk assessmentsDevelopment of a tool for risk assessments– Development of a tool for cost/benefit analysisDevelopment of a tool for cost/benefit analysis– Establishing goals for the remediation on a local, Establishing goals for the remediation on a local,

regional and national levelregional and national level– Effect of long distance transportation of contaminations Effect of long distance transportation of contaminations

by water and air compared with local and regional by water and air compared with local and regional contaminationscontaminations

– A strategic plan to getting all involved to join the A strategic plan to getting all involved to join the “remediation project” “remediation project”

– Who are going to be the “owner” of these projects?Who are going to be the “owner” of these projects?

The national action plan for The national action plan for sediment remediation in Norwaysediment remediation in Norway• The National Board has started up The National Board has started up

following works:following works:– What is the gaps of knowledge and what is the What is the gaps of knowledge and what is the

critical knowledge of starting the remediation?critical knowledge of starting the remediation?– 5 pilot projects 5 pilot projects

• Degradation of TBTDegradation of TBT• Using different geosystems as tubes, bags etc.Using different geosystems as tubes, bags etc.• Sand capping Sand capping • Cement stabilisationCement stabilisation• Effect of strong current and tide water for transport Effect of strong current and tide water for transport

of sedimentsof sediments

The national action planThe national action plan