Scientific based management tools are prerequisites
for the 'Strategic Environmental Planning'. The scope is the development
of integrated environmental information systems (IEIS) which enlighten
the complexes of problems related to a number of societal and
environmental areas. The conceptual framework of the information
systems is based on interrelated data linked to the chain: driving
forces - pressures - state - impact (acceptable criteria) - response
(policies/legislation). The data are used in models of the
interrelations between the development of the society and the
environmental impact based on Geographic Information System (GIS)
techniques.
Societal priority areas are:
These areas are analysed in relation to relevant environmental problems including:
The IEIS project synthesises information collated
in a number of other projects listed within and outside this research
area.
Socio-Economic Consequeces of Environmental
Regulation in the Agricultural Sector (301-002)
The project consists of 3 sub-projects. The
first sub-project aims at pointing out, substantiate and interpret
objectives for and changes in the development of nature content
and landscape structure related to agricultural land use. Financial
means used as incentives to induce these objectives are analysed
and the socio-economic consequences of this regulation are assessed.
The second sub-project evaluates socio-economic effects of future
developments in organic farming. The project will examine structural
shifts within the primary and secondary agricultural sector, as
well as indirect consequences in the national economy. The starting
point of the analysis is scenarios of 10%, 30% and 50% conversion
to organic farming. The third sub-project aims to assess environmental
as well as economic consequences of regulation of nutrient leaching
and ammonia emissions.
Berit Hasler, Mette Wier, Johnny M. Andersen
and Niels Elmegaard. 1.6 man years.
Integrated Environmental Information
System (Concept Development, Scenarios) (301-003)
The project deals with: coordinating the activities
involved in developing an integrated environmental information
system, with developing the concept and with the development of
models for consistent generation of socio-economic scenarios for
energy consumption, traffic and the acricultural sector.
Lennart Emborg, John Holten-Andersen, Frits
Møller-Andersen, Niels Christensen, Mette Wier, Berit Hasler,
Eli Skop, Henrik Bruun, Peter Trier and NN. 2.0 man years.
The project explores the conditions for land
use to be in accordance with the concept of ecological space on
a global and on a national level. The project concentrates primarily
on the resource of land as a host for food production.
Lennart Emborg and NN. 2.0 man years.
Macro-Economic Environmental Modelling
(301-005)
The purpose of the project is to develop satellite
models for the macro-economic model ADAM used for the official
planning in Denmark. The satellite models are extensions that
linked to the economic development give forecasts for environmental
parameters. At present, satellite models for the energy consumption
and conversion and emissions of CO2, SO2
and NOx are linked to ADAM. In 1997, more detailed
energy consumption models and models for additional substances
emitted to the air will be developed.
Frits Møller Andersen and Mette Wier.
0.9 man years.
Air Emission Inventories (301-006)
The aim of the work is to compile air emission
inventories for chemical compounds and groups of compounds in
order to fulfil Denmark's international obligations. The emission
inventory for 1995, which includes 26 compounds (CO2,
CO, SO2, NOx, CH4, NH3,
N2O, VOC, persistent organic pollutants and heavy metals),
will be completed in 1997. The inventories from the basis of other
project activities at NERI; e.g. risk assessment of chemicals,
scenarios and long range transport modelling.
Erik Runge, Jytte Boll Illerup and Morten Winther.
2.8 man years.
Integrated Environmental Information
System: Agricultural Pesticides
(301-007)
This project will, on the basis of existing
knowledge, develop an integrated information system for agricultural
pesticides, and enable an analysis of the societal and environmental
consequences of the use of pesticides and of the measures to reduce
the pesticide use. The possibilities for indicator system development
will be investigated including emission, exposure and environmental
effects.
Peter Borgen Sørensen, Lars Carlsen,
Lennart Emborg, Betty Bügel Mogensen, Niels Henrik Spliid,
Peter Odderskær and Niels Elmegaard. 1.9 man years.
State of the Environment Reporting
(301-008)
On behalf of the Ministry of the Environment
and Energy, NERI is committed to produce the Danish State of the
Environment report in 1997, and to contribute to the development
and production of environmental indicator reports at the national,
Nordic and European level. The SOE report will be structured according
to the Pressure-State-Response description of environmental problems.
Niels Christensen, John Holten-Andersen, Peter
Kristensen, Lennart Emborg, Lise Kristiansen, Berit Hasler, Frits
Møller-Andersen, Henrik Gudmundsson, Jørgen Windolf,
Jes Fenger, Betty Bügel Mogensen, Knud Tybirk, John Jensen
and Axel Bo Madsen. 2.2 man years.
Economic Evaluation of Environmental
Policy Measures (301-009)
The project deals with economic evaluation
of environmental projects. The intention is to lay down guidelines
for practical project evaluation to be used witin the Ministry
of Environment and Energy. The guidelines will be supplemented
with practical examples.
Flemming Møller, Lennart Emborg and
NN. 0.5 man years.
Land use Change - Evironmental Impact
Assessment and Modelling (301-010)
The project examines the interactions between
the structual, economic and technological conditions of land use
and the environmental impacts. Special emphasis is placed on the
effects of agricultural development. The aim of the project is
to develop models and decision support systems that facilitate
the integration of environmental information into regional land-use
planning and management.
Jan Juul Jensen, Niels Christensen, Bernd Münier,
Eli Skop, Susie Mielby, Steen Platou and Anna Bodil Hald. 2.8
man years.
Transport and the Environment (301-011)
The environmental effects of traffic have major
socio-economic implications. There is a growing awareness of the
environmental effects of transportation at the local, national
and global levels. In Denmark, National Action Plans for Environment
and Transport and the Traffic Plan 2005 have been adopted, including
reduction targets, and a number of strategies and instruments
are being investigated and applied. Meanwhile, structural changes
in production and consumption threaten to diminish the results
of improved environmental performance of vehicles, fuels etc.
There is thus a need to analyse the environmental impact of traffic
growth, and the possibilities of managing future development in
a more sustainable way.
Linda Christensen, Henrik Gudmundsson, Mette
Jensen, Jeppe Husted Rich, Per Thorlacius, Morten Winther and
Peter Trier. 4.1 man years.
Passenger traffic contributes to a large scale
of environmental problems. Until now the efforts on solving these
problems have been concentrated on technological solutions. Meanwhile
there is a growing agreement that technological solutions will
not be sufficient for realising the goals for a sustainable development
in the transport sector. It is necessary to investigate the possibilities
of changing patterns of behaviour in the transport sector and
to which degree a certain change will fulfil the goals concerning
a better environment.
Linda Christensen, Mette Jensen, Jeppe Husted
Rich, Morten Winther, Per Thorlacius and Peter Trier. 2.4 man
years.
Integrated Environmental Assessment
and Scenarios: Critical Loads/Levels (301-016)
The project coordinates and combines efforts
on integrated assessment of airpollutants on ecosystems using
the DPSIR concept: Driving forces: Scenarios of economic development;
Pressures: Emissions and transport of airborne pollutants; State
& Impact: state and effects in the ecosystems; and Responses:
abatement costs and regulations.
Hans Løkke, Knud Tybirk, Jesper Bak, Morten T. Strandberg, John Holten-Andersen, Frits Møller Andersen, Lennart Emborg, Willem Asman, Ole Hertel, Annemarie Bastrup Birk, Erik Runge, Eli Skop. 1.5 man years.
Transport, Accumulation and Removal
of Nutrients in Rivers and Lakes (301-017)
A more holistic approach is needed when regional
authorities implement measures aimed at reducing nutrient pollution
of Danish surface waters and when assessing their ecological effects
at the catchment level. The TRANS model (Transport, Removal and
Accumulation of Nutrients in Catchment Areas) combines information
on land use etc. stored on GIS with a physical modelling system
and several ecological models on nutrient losses, nutrient retention
in lakes, streams and riparian areas. The purpose of the model
concept is to estimate enhanced nutrient retention as a result
of re-establishment of natural watercourses, drained wetlands
or lakes, changes in maintenance pratice and other rehabilitation
initiatives on the basis of very limited data requirements.
Brian Kronvang, Lars Moeslund Svendsen, NN.
0.2 man years.
Integrated Environmental Information
Systems: Eutrophication of Marine Waters (301-018)
This project aims at improving the basis for
environmental policy decisions by integrating socio-economic,
hydrologic and ecologic models. Existing models will be connected
and a new model (of the Kattegat) will be added. The output of
model runs will be assessed and generalized through development
of relevant indicators and a classification system for fjords
and open waters. This project is closely connected to the other
Integrated Environmental Information System projects and to the
projects under the umbrella "Integrated environmental assessment
and scenarios". It is also related to monitoring, "The
nation-wide monitoring programme of inland and marine waters",
and topic centre activity, "National Data Topic Centre: Marine
Data".
Carsten T. Agger, Anne-Marie Rolev, Flemming
Møhlenberg and Ole Hertel. 1.1 man years.
Strategic Planning: Environmental
Quality of Inland Waters (301-019)
Human impacts on Danish streams and lakes,
including the riparian areas are multiple: draining, channelisation,
stream maintenance together with increased nutrient inpus have
reduced the ecological quality of streams and riparian areas and
of downstream lakes and marine areas. The project aims at comparing
and optimising the environmental investments both for a total
catchment area and at a national level, mainly using existing
models and data. GIS is an important tool for the presentation
and analysis of different policy analyses.
Susie Mielby, Jørgen Windolf, Brian
Kronvang, Lars M. Svendsen and Steen W. Platou. 0.6 man years.
This area includes research on the environmental impact of exploration and exploitation of mineral and oil resources in Greenland. In addition, research is conducted on the extent and environmental impact of transboundary pollution.
Furthermore, important areas for flora and fauna
are registered and human activity in the areas investigated in
relation to nature management purposes.
The main research and monitoring objectives are:
Nutrient Dynamics in Northeast Greenland
Coastal Waters and Sediment. 1.9 man years. (302-003)
The nutrient cycle will be investigated in
coastal waters and sediments in north-eastern and western Greenland,
little being known about nutrient processes in Arctic regions.
The nutrient cycle in coastal Arctic waters is important because
it controls phytoplancton production in the water column and thereby
the secondary production of benthic infauna, and hence the biomass
of higher organisms inhabiting the ecosystem. In addition, measurements
of nitrous oxide emission from these Arctic sediments will contribute
to the understanding of stratospheric ozone depletion and the
global heat budget. Similar investigations have not previously
been performed in Arctic waters and the project will therefore
provide an important baseline for the nutrient cycle in these
Arctic coastal waters.
Søren Rysgaard, Peter Bondo Christensen
and Tage Dalsgaard. 1.9 man years.
Oil Exploration - Impact Assessment,
Regulation and Inspection of Activities (302-611)
Oil exploration is ongoing in West Greenland,
onshore as well as offshore. NERI advices the Mineral Resources
Administration for Greenland on environmental issues related to
these activities, including assessment of potential environmental
impacts of seismic and drilling operations, regulation of activities
to minimise impacts, production of oil spill sensivity maps and
on inspection of the activities.
Anders Mosbech, David Boertmann, Rune Dietz
and Poul Johansen. 1.9 man years.
Important Concentrations of Seabirds
and Marine Mammals in Western Greenland (302-612)
Because of plans for increasing oil exploration
in West Greenland, both onshore and offshore, environmental information
is needed for environmental impact assessment, for oil spill sensivity
mapping and as a background for regulating the operations. Based
on NERI's reviews of existing knowledge and identification of
data gaps, a number of studies have been initiated to fill these
gaps, including the development of an up-to-date database on seabird
colonies, an identification of important areas and seasons for
seabirds and marine mammals (e.g. important marine moulting areas
for ducks).
Anders Mosbech, David Boertmann, Frank Riget
and Rune Dietz. 2.1 man years.
Marine Mammal Programme (302-613)
In Greenland marine mammals are of special
importance to the function of the ecosystems and as a resource
to the local human population. NERI's studies concentrate on the
movements and the behaviour of marine mammals using a technique
based on satellite transmitters. Species studied are ringed seal,
beluga whale, narhwal and possibly pilot whale and bottlenose
whale.
Rune Dietz. 0.4 man years.
Important Terrestrial Habitats in
Greenland (302-614)
NERI provides assistance to the Mineral Resources
Administration for Greenland in assessing the environmental impact
of mineral resource activities in Greenland. Mapping of areas
important to wildlife is an important tool for this assessment.
Studies include movements and behaviour of caribou and white fronted
goose in West Greenland and preparation of vegetation maps on
the basis of satelite images. Data are stored in a GIS database.
Peter Aastrup, Christian Glahder, Anders Mosbech
and David Boertmann. 2.5 man years.
Assessment and Monitoring of Mineral
Projects in Greenland (302-615)
NERI provides assistance to the Mineral Resources
Administration for Greenland in assessing the environmental impact
of mineral activities in Greenland. NERI assesses applications
for mineral exploration and conducts baseline and monitoring studies.
In 1997 baseline studies are planned at a large zinc deposit in
North Greenland, and monitoring studies of heavy metal pollution
from two closed lead and zinc mines in West and East Greenland
will be conducted.
Poul Johansen, Gert Asmund, Christian Glahder,
Peter Aastrup and Frank Riget. 4.1 man years.
AMAP, Arctic Monitoring and Assessment
Programme (302-616)
NERI is involved in the Arctic Monitoring and
Assessment Programme by collecting and analysing samples from
the marine, terrestrial and freshwater environmnent in Greenland
for heavy metals and persistant organic pollutants (POPs). NERI
is also involved in assessing the analytical results, and this
activity will continue in 1997. Additional studies will be conducted
in 1997, including studies on cadmium and POPs in Arctic animals,
studies on arsenic, mercury and butyltin in marine sediments and
heavy metals and selenium in caribou.
Rune Dietz, Poul Johansen, Frank Riget, Gert
Asmund, Peter Aastrup, Marianne Cleemann and Gudrun Beyer Paulsen.
3.7 man years.
Modern biotechnology has become of central importance
to the economic and environmental optimisation of industrial production
systems. The scope of the research is the scientific underpinning
of environmental risk assessments regarding the release of GMO's
(plants and micro-organisms) into the environment and to the possibility
of applying micro-organisms as environmentally "clean"
technology.
Specifically, the research concentrates on five major themes:
Interactions between Micro-organisms
and Macro-organisms (303-001)
Environmental use of micro-organisms is becoming
more and more feasible, especially in the areas of plant growth
promotion and bioremediation. The objective of this project is
to improve the scientific basis of risk assessment and safe environmental
use of micro-organisms. This is accomplished by studying the influence
of macro-organisms (plants and soil invertebrates) on the survival
and transitions in activity of the micro-organisms and the spreading
of their genetic material. The work also involves development
of methods for testing effects of microbial pest control agents
on non-target soil invertebrates.
Niels Kroer, Niels Bohse Hendriksen, Anne Winding,
Ulrich Karlson, Anders Hay Sørensen, Svend Binnerup and
NN. 7.3 man years.
Research and development in the utilization
of microbial processes for soil cleaning has been conducted on
a broad worldwide basis in the recent years. Although degradation
pathways have been established, for some toxic compound classes
there is nevertheless insufficient knowledge of the conditions
to be met in soils for achieving successful bioremediation under
realistic conditions. There is a need for an integration of several
different research disciplines, e.g., phytoremediation, rhizosphere
ecology, genetic engineering of degrader microbes, and taxonomy
and physiology of competitive bacteria, in order to develop a
biotechnology which is ready to be used in contaminated soils.
The objective of this project is to fulfill this need. Polycyclic
aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), chlorophenols, and polychlorinated
biphenyls (PCBs) are being used as model xenobiotics. Research
topics include the identification of mechanisms involved in surfactant-enhanced
bacterial degradation of PAHs, development of inoculation techniques
for plant roots using selected xenobiotic degrading microbes,
and application of integrated plant/microbe systems for soil remediation.
Ulrich Karlson and Pia Willumsen. 2.9 man years.
Fate and Effects of Microorganisms
Released into the Environment (303-003)
Release of microorganisms into the environment
may potentially alter the structure and function of the indigenous
microbial communities. The objective of this project is to investigate
whether release of specific microorganisms, applicable for biotechnology
purposes, may affect the structure/diversity of the microbial
communities in agricultural soils and the turnover of organic
material. Furthermore, studies on functional diversity in aquatic
environments will be carried out.
Niels Bohse Hendriksen, Niels Kroer, Anne Winding,
Ulrich Karlson, Svend Binnerup and NN. 4.7 man years.
Genetically Modified Plants (GMP):
Development of Test Systems and Specific Methods for the Risk-assessment
of Release Into the Environment (303-004)
Concern about genetically modified plants (GMP's)
is focused on four risks: that transgenic crop plants will become
weeds of agriculture; that transgenic plants will become invasive
of natural habitats; that their engineered genes will be transferred
by pollen to wild relatives whose hybrid offspring will then become
more invasive; that engineered plants will be a direct hazard
to human or domestic animals. The problem that transgenic plants
will become invasive of natural habitats is addressed here. A
tiered test system of variable complexity and degree of naturalness
for assessing the competitiveness of plants is described.
Beate Strandberg, Gøsta Kjellsson, Jørgen
Axelsen. 3.0 man years.
Biotechnology: Elements in Environmental
Risk Assessment of Genetically Modified Plants (303-005)
The number of plants which are genetically
modified for resistance to pathogens and herbivore attack will
increase in the coming years. Also the importance of resistance
to environmental stress will affect the use of biotechnology.
These issues are important aspects of environmental consequences
in risk assessment procedures. The present project focuses on
the development of test-methods and perform studies of the causal
factors involved in interactions between organisms and between
organisms and the environment. Procedures and concepts for risk
assessment of GMP's are developed and modelled in the project.
Gøsta Kjellsson, Christian Damgaard,
Helle Ravn, Vibeke Simonsen, Christian Kjær, Beate Strandberg,
Hans Løkke. 4.8 man years.
The research area comprises the availability, transformation/degradation
and transport in the environment of xenobiotic chemicals, and
their effects on flora, fauna and ecosystems. Special emphasis
is being put on the fate of organic micro-pollutants (hydrocarbons,
organo-halogens, pesticides etc.) in environmentally relevant
matrices (soil, surface water, sediments). The activities also
include quality control and parallel testing as well as chemical
analyses connected to product control and contingency tasks.
The research subjects include:
Analytical Chemical Control of Chemical
Substances and Chemical Preparations (304-001)
Chemical analyses of consumer and industrial
products will be performed to check the compliance of these with
the Chemicals Act.
B. Køppen and S. C. Rastogi. 4.4 man
years
Xenobiotic Compounds (304-002)
Combined experimental (laboratory as well as
field) and theoretical studies are focussed at the fate of selected
xenobiotics in the terrestrial and aquatic environment. Special
emphasis is given to compounds suspected to exhibit hormone-like
effects as phthalates and alkylphenol(ethoxylates). The eventual
aim of the project is to develop and validate models to calculate
Predicted Environmental Concenrations (PEC's). The Project is
associated with the project partly financed by the EU, "Identification
of relevant industrial sources of dioxins and furans".
Lars Carlsen, Jørgen Vikelsøe,
Peter Sørensen, Jytte Boll Illerup and Angelique Rasmussen.
4.2 man years
Humic Acid Chemistry (304-003)
The project involves studies of surface coating
of mineral surfaces like silica, goethite and clay with humic
acids as well as the influence of the sorbed organics on the sorption
of selected pollutants.
Lars Carlsen, BSc and MSc students. 0.1 man
years.
NERI is engaged in interlaboratory test comparisons
in the field of special analyses of xenobiotics in the environment
and activities comprising production and certification of reference
materials. The quality assurance activities focus on the laboratory
activities with special emphasis on methods to be accreditated
by the Danish Accreditation Body.
Bente A. Nyeland and Lars Carlsen 2.8 man years.
Fate of Pesticides in the Environment
(304-005)
Studies of occurence and fate of pesticides
are carried out in the field, in mesocosms, and in the laboratory.
Mesocosms are 100 m2 artificial ponds. New analytical
methods are developed aiming at improving precision and sensitivity
and improving the work environment in laboratories. Special emphasis
is placed on multimethods for pesticides in ground water and on
methods for analysis of sulfonylurea herbicides. Chromatographic
techniques including LC-MS are used for analytical identification.
Super-critical Fluid Extraction is being introduced for extraction
of soil and sediment.
Niels Henrik Spliid, Betty Bügel Mogensen,
Rosanna Bossi, Benny Køppen and NN. 6.9 man years.
Perfume Allergy - an Incresing Problem.
Identification of Risk Factors and their Control (304-006)
Skin sensitizing potential of selected fragrance
substances and their use in cosumer products is being evaluated
by a multicenter study. The results of the study aims at possible
regulation of fragrance chemicals in cosmetic products.
S. C. Rastogi. 0.7 man years.
PCB and Related Compounds (304-007)
The project covers analytical and environmental
chemistry of xenobiotic halogenated organics e.g. chlorinated
biphenyls (PCB) and chlorinated pesticides, primarily in biological
samples.
Marianne Cleemann, Gudrun B. Paulsen and Hanne
Larsen. 2.2 man years.
This project deals with the class of chemical
compounds commonly known as hydrocarbons comprising volatile paraffins
over semi-volatile naphthenes and aromatics to condensed heteroaromatics
and high-molecular-weight polycyclic aromatics. Hydrocarbons are
present in all environmental compartments as a result of both
biogenic and anthropogenic activities. Many of these compounds
are toxic showing teratogenic, mutagenic and/or cancerogenic effects,
and as such they are potential environmental pollutants. The effects
and fate in the environment are closely related to their availability,
degradation, transport and toxicity. The project therefore focuses
on some major environmental sinks for hydrocarbons and studies
their interaction with, fate in and biological effects on a variety
of relevant matrices and selected endpoint biota in relation to
their chemical and physico-chemical properties. Analytical procedures
including HPLC, GC, and GC/MS are developed and optimised for
determining hydrocarbons in environmental samples and biota, and
the activities include specific projects like in situ remediation
of soil at gas stations as well as participation in monitoring
programmes and conventions like the follow-up of the new national
soil, sediment and sewage sludge criteria.
Gunnar Pritzl, Asger B. Hansen and Bente Nyeland.
6.8 man years.
Effects of Herbicides on Plants Chemical
Defense (304-010)
The impacts of herbicide treatment on plant
resistance towards herbivorous insects are studied, and the chemical
components responsible for changes are identified. Data will be
used in risk assessment of herbicide drift.
Christian Kjær and Niels Elmegaard. 1.3
man years.
Impact of Chemicals, Waste Products,
Land-use and Natural Stressors on Soil Ecosystems (304-013)
The main purpose of the project is to create a scientific basis for early detection and evaluation of sublethal effects on organisms in terrestrial ecosystems. This is done by:
Jørgen Aa. Axelsen, Vibeke Simonsen,
Paul Henning Krogh, Martin Holmstrup, John Jensen, Klaus Skovbo
Jensen, Gerard Jagers op Akkerhuis, Beate Strandberg, Janeck Scott-Fordsmand,
Marianne Bruus Pedersen and Lone Thøgersen. 9.8 man years.
POPTOX: Estimation and Field Validation
of Population Toxicological Effects Extrapolated from Laboratory
Data (304-015)
Generally laboratory tests of toxicity are
standardised aiming at constant environmental conditions, equal
exposure of all test specimens, and use of test organisms of equal
age and size. The advantage of such standard conditions are obvious,
but they may carry some of the difficulties associated with extrapolation
from the laboratory to the field where the environment is fluctuating
and the individuals of a population have an age distribution and
a spatial distribution. The POPTOX project estimates the importance
of temperature, demography and spatial distribution of the population,
the faith of the chemical to the effect of insecticides in the
field, and a mathematical model to simulate the combined effect
of the various factors is developed.
Niels Elmegaard, Christian Kjær and Gerard
Jagers op Akkerhuis. 0.8 man year.
Persistent Pollutants and Heavy Metals
in the Gulf of Riga (304-018)
Our knowledge concerning the distribution of
persistent pollutants and heavy metals in the Baltic is still
very limited. This is especially true for the coastal areas of
the Baltic countries. An increased knowledge about these areas
is of importance for our understanding of the large scale processes
in the Baltic. The main aim of the project is to increase our
knowledge about the fate of the persistent pollutants and metals
in the Gulf of Riga.
Britta Pedersen, Gunnar Pritzl and Kåre
Kemp. 0.2 man years.
Environmental Chemistry and Modeling
of Contaminants in Aquatic Multi Phase Systems, Subproject 2B:
Fate of Ionic Organometallic Compounds in Sediment/water Systems
(304-021)
Studies of distribution and fate of environmental
contaminants are needed for the development of predictive models.
Organotins are used as model compounds in a study to develop partitioning
models to describe environmental distribution for polar organic
substances. Analytical procedures for environmental samples are
developed and implemented. Field studies have been carried out
in marine mesocosm experiments with and without sediment present,
and findings will be focused on the source-sink problem of accumulated
contaminants in sediments.
Lars Carlsen, Jens A. Jacobsen, Britta Pedersen
and Sigga Joensen. 0.5 man years.
The overall objective is the development of "open
architecture" models of atmospheric pollution to support
a flexible strategy for atmospheric monitoring purposes. The task
is to develop integrated and linked models based on GIS, which
are able to support scenario studies of atmospheric pollution,
nowcast and forecast concentrations of atmospheric pollution on
street level, and calculate deposition with close accuracy in
areas characterised by steep horizontal gradients.
The research is focused on following themes:
Air emission inventories (305-016)
Air emission inventories of various groups
of chemicals is required in connection with many activities. An
analysis of the environmental impacts of a chemical typically
requires information on the emission pattern of the chemical.
Furthermore, Denmark is obliged to report several groups of chemicals'
emissions to the air from Danish sources. The objective of this
project is to specify and analyse the air emissions of chemicals
of interest. The short term objectives are to compile national
totals of the chemical compounds and groups of compounds, required
to fulfil our international obligations. On a longer term the
objectives are to refine the air emission inventories on generalised
geographic and temporal scales, as well as to refine the estimates
for groups of compounds. These activities also support international
obligations and meet the needs at NERI for spatial and temporal
disaggregated inventories.
Erik Runge, Jytte Boll Illerup, Morten Winther,
Dorte Rasmussen, NN. 2.7 man years
Photo- and Heterogeneous Chemistry
and Impact Studies (305-601)
The aim of this project is to extend the set
of atmospheric chemical and physical processes which act on scales
larger than urban centers and depend on long range transport processes.
The research emphases are on the local impact of long range transport
in mainly non-urban regions, and assessment of the effects on
forest and agriculture ecosystems using scenario studies.
Zahari Zlatew, Annemarie Bastrup Birk, Jesper
Christensen, Lisbeth Mortensen, Jørgen Brandt and Ruwim
Berkowicz. 2.2 man years.
Air Chemistry and Surface Fluxes:
Marine (305-602)
This project focusses on extending the set
of governing physical, chemical, and biological processes which
influence the air-sea exchanges of nutrient gases. The emphasis
is on the fluxes of NH3 and HNO3, with supporting
information on the relationships to air-sea fluxes of CO2,
H2O, aerosols, heat, and momentum. The activities include
aspects of theory, experimental development, and modelling. The
region extending from the coastline out to 100 km offshore is
a key focus of the studies.
Gary Geernaert, Ole Hertel, Ruwim Berkowicz,
Elisabetta Vignati, Britta Pedersen, Åke Hagstrøm
and Thomas Ellerman. 3.2 man years.
Dispersion, Tracer Studies and Modelling
(305-603)
In support of the need to develop operational
dispersion models for use by government authorities, consultants,
and industry, the aim of this project is to develop and test advanced
models which predict the plume trajectory and concentration statistics
at various distances downwind of point sources. These activities
also involve experimental studies, improvement to the OML model,
and larger scale dynamical aspects of models which affect long
range dispersion.
Erik Lyck, Thomas Ellermann, Helge R. Olesen,
Per Løfstrøm, Jørgen Brandt and Carsten Stenholdt.
3.9 man years.
Thematic Data Centre: Atmospheric
Data (305-608)
The aim of this project is to maintain a state-of-the-art
database containing air pollution statistics, which are representative
of the overall air quality in Denmark. These data are reported
to various international data centres, e.g., EEA, UNECE, HELCOM,
and OSPAR. A major activity supporting the database in 1997 is
quality assurance. Presently this project also includes Thematic
Data Centre Activities in support of the European Environmental
Agency needs, Reference Centres for Air Pollution and Air Emissions,
paticipating in international commitees etc. This project also
includes the development and maintainance of the air pollution
database systems.
Niels Z. Heidam, Helge Rørdam Olesen,
Kåre Kemp, Lone Grundahl, Ole Manscher, Jesper Henckel,
Erik Runge and Niels Henrik Bastholm. 2.4 man years.
National Monitoring: The Atmospheric
Environment (305-609)
NERI has the responsibility to carry out the national air quality monitoring required by Danish law. This responsibility includes urban areas (LMP), rural areas (BOP) and Greenland (AMAP). Additional responsibility derived from EU agreements include the introduction of a SMOG alert system, support of the Danish Action Plan for the Aquatic Environments, and compliance with international conventions and agreements (e.g., EMEP, PARCOM, HELCOM, AMAP, etc.). Meanwhile, responsibility to provide information to the public and local authorities is increasing. While the funding to provide these increasing services has been slowly decreasing, there is a need to optimise the monitoring networks so that the statistical data quality is maintained in the light of decreasing financial resources.
It is expected that new EU directives will
be implemented in 1998 and others in later years, with obligations
for member states to expand existing monitoring activities.
Finn Palmgren Jensen, Kåre Kemp, Niels
Z. Heidam, Henrik Skov, Ole Manscher, Axel Egeløv, Lone
Grundahl, Gary Geernaert and Thomas Ellermann. 10.9 man years.
Urban and local Air Pollution and
Impact studies (305-610)
The aim of this project is to improve the scope,
performance, and range of applications of air pollution models
in urban centres and local regions of high air pollution emissions
(e.g., airports) using theory, experiment, and advanced model
formulations. The research emphasis is on extending model resolution
to higher resolution, e.g., street scale, integrated over large
regions, expanding the set of physical and chemical processes,
and developing the interface with GIS.
Ruwim Berkowicz, Ole Hertel, Finn Palmgren,
Peter Wåhlin, Henrik Skov, Steen S. Jensen and Carsten Stenholt
Christiansen, Willem A.H. Asman, Jes Fenger and Per Løfstrøm.
7.9 man years.
Air Chemistry and Surface Fluxes:
Arctic (305-611)
The aim of this project is to determine the
atmospheric load of chemicals into the Arctic ecosystems, with
specific reference to Greenland. Measurements of atmospheric NO2,
O3, SO2, and aerosol chemical composition
are obtained from Station Nord and with use of PIXE analysis.
These measurements are complemented by calculations performed
by a hemispheric long range transport model, in order to determine
the primary source regions responsible for episodes of high atmospheric
chemical concentration and surface deposition. These activities,
in part, support Arctic Monitoring and Assessment Programme.
Jesper Christensen, Niels Z. Heidam, Kåre
Kemp, Henrik Skov and Peter Wåhlin. 3.4 man years.
Loading with nutrients and xenobiotic compounds is
still highly detrimental to the environmental quality of a majority
of limnic ecosystems. The Freshwater research area comprises studies
of the mechanisms, related to nature or human activity, which
regulate structures and processes in lakes, streams and riparian
areas. Analyses of individual processes in simple systems are
integrated in studies and models of more complex processes at
catchment level, emphasising the relations between physical-chemical
and biological aspects. The ecological knowledge thus achieved
is further integrated in cross-disciplinary policy and systems
analysis involving environmental strategies for the whole catchment
area. The overall aim is to be able to forecast the effects of
administrative measures including change of land-use and practice
in agriculture, forestry and fish farming.
The research is concentrated on the following themes:
Horizontal Migration in Systems with
Varying Predation Pressure
(306-001)
In nutrient-rich shallow Danish lakes large
cladocerans undergo horizontal migration and use the vegetation
as a daytime refuge. In nutrient-poor lakes with low fish density
the same pattern cannot be identified. Here the cladocerans are
concentrated in open water and not in the vegetation. These observations
combined with laboratory experiments suggest that fish play a
decisive role for the horizontal migration pattern of cladocerans.
The objective of the project is to undertake investigations into
the migration pattern of zooplankton in mesotrophic and eutrophic
lakes. Lakes with low as well as medium density of fish will be
investigated.
Torben L. Lauridsen. 1.0 man years
Freshwater, Shallow Lakes: Biological
Structure and Nutrient Dynamics
(306-002)
The water quality of Danish freshwater lakes
often remains unsatisfactory despite reduced external nutrient
loading. This may be due to high internal loading and/or a biological
structure dominated by zooplankton-eating fish delaying the recovery
process. The aim of this project is to increase the knowledge
and predictability of the responses of biological structure and
nutrient dynamics to changes in external loading. Another aim
is to evaluate and improve measures to accelerate the recovery
process of lakes. This includes research directed towards the
structuring role of fish and submerged macrophytes.
Erik Jeppesen, Martin Søndergaard, NN
and Erik Mortensen. 1.9 man years.
Development of Monitoring Programme
on Lakes (306-003)
The most recent programme for lake monitoring
in Denmark stems from 1979 and is in practise no longer used by
the decentralized authorities. Since 1979 our knowledge of the
structure and functions of lakes has become far more extensive
and diverse, including also the response of lakes to changes in
nutrient discharge. The aim of this project is to develop a standardized
monitoring programme for different levels of reduced monitoring
of lakes. The monitoring programme will be developed i.a. on the
basis of the extensive monitoring programme being used by the
counties, including the Nationwide Monitoring Programme established
in connection with the Actions Plan on the Aquatic Environment.
Erik Jeppesen, NN and Martin Søndergaard.
1.0 man years.
Lake Restoration: Methods and Effects
(306-004)
During recent years a number of lake restoration
projects have been carried out in Denmark and similar projects
are planned for the future. Particularly experiments with biomanipulation
and removal of zooplanktivorous fish and stocking of piscivorous
fish have been conducted in many lakes. The knowledge from these
projects, however, has not been compiled and analysed as a whole.
The aim of this project is to collect and analyse these data,
and use the results to elaborate more general guidelines for lake
restoration.
Martin Søndergaard, Erik Jeppesen and
NN. 0.8 man year.
Palaeo-ecology as a Tool in Lake
Management (306-007)
During recent years a significant development
has taken place within the area of palaeo-ecology, i.a. as the
results of the development of method that on the basis of fossil
analyses permit a quantitative determination of historical, chemical
and biological parameters. Thereby it will be possible to determine
the background state of lakes and their development in relation
to changes in, for instance, pH and nutrient impact. The aim of
this project is to develop transfer functions between zooplankton
fossils in the sediment and contemporary data for fish abundance
and macrophyte density in order to be able to reconstruct the
latter to parameters back in time.
Erik Jeppesen and NN. 3.2 man years.
Brackish Shallow Lakes: Biological
Structure and Dynamics at Different Salinity and Nutrient Concentration
(306-009)
Brackish lakes comprise a total area of approximately
the same size as freshwater lakes. Our knowledge of how this lake
type responds to different nutrient loading and salinities is,
however, limited. Preliminary results indicate that the biological
structure of brackish lakes differs markedly from that of freshwater
lakes, and consequently the knowledge obtained from freshwater
lakes cannot be readily applied to brackish lakes. The aim of
this project is to increase the understanding of the biological
structure of brackish lakes and consequently the predictability
and possibility of water quality improvement by different measures,
including lake restoration.
Martin Søndergaard, Erik Jeppesen and
Erik Mortensen. 1.5 man years.
Predictive Models for the Seasonal
Variation in Phosphorus and Nitrogen Retention in Lakes (306-010)
At steady state conditions lakes act as traps
for both nitrogen and phosphorus and besides on the lake itself
the retention of these nutrients can have marked effects on the
nutrient loading of downstream areas, including fjord systems
and near coastal areas. Several models have been developed to
describe the annual retention of nitrogen and phosphorus, but
we are still far from being able to describe the seasonal retention
which is important during the critical part of the year, when
algal growth is at its peak. The aim of this project is to develop
seasonal models that describe the seasonal variation in retention
of nitrogen and phosphorus on the basis of morphometric characteristics,
retention time, nutrient input and physical/chemical and biological
conditions.
NN, Erik Jeppesen and Martin Søndergaard.
0.5 man years.
Restoration and Rehabilitation of
Danish Streams and Riparian Areas and associated projects (306-013)
Restoration of Danish streams and riparian
areas have increased considerably since the Danish Watercourse
Act was passed in 1982 and today more than 1,000 small and large
scale projects have been undertaken primarily by the regional
authorities. The project aims at gathering and classifying the
knowledge assembled in Denmark on different restoration methods.
A comprehensive investigation of the abiotic and biotic effects
of river and floodplain rehabilitation is conducted at two demonstration
sites (River Brede Å and River Gudenå). Moreover,
a survey of the ecological effects of different types of restoration
projects completed more than 5 years ago is conducted. The project
establishes a European Centre for River Restoration as well as
a database on rehabilitation projects in Denmark and it develops
guidelines for sustainable methods and standardized monitoring
schemes to be used in future rehabilitation projects.
Brian Kronvang, Hans Ole Hansen, Annette Baatrup-Pedersen,
Carl Chr. Hoffmann, Nikolai Friberg, Torben Moth Iversen and Lars
M. Svendsen. 2.5 man years.
Maintenance of Streams - Methods
and Effects (306-014)
Despite a recent improvement in water quality
of most Danish streams, stream quality assessed by the occurrence
of macroinvertebrates has not improved markedly. Poor physical
conditions in many streams appear to be the main reason for this
lack in improvement and it is especially vital to change the maintenance
practice (e.g. weed cutting) in order to restore a physical diverse
stream environment. This project aims at compiling knowledge about
the effects of various maintenance practices on the stream biota
through experiments and review of existing knowledge.
Nikolai Friberg, Lars Moeslund Svendsen and
Annette Baattrup-Pedersen. 0.9 man years.
Diffuse Nutrient Losses: Source Areas,
Pathways, Transport and Retention (306-016)
Eutrophication of many shallow surface waters
in Denmark is affected by the diffuse loss of nutrients from arable
land. A thorough knowledge on source areas, delivery pathways,
transport and retention of dissolved and sediment-associated nutrients
within catchment ecosystems is needed in order to implement appropriate
management strategies. Investigations aiming at developing methods
to fingerprint important source areas, and quantifying important
delivery pathways, the riverine transport and retention in stream
and riparian areas are carried out at different scales (from field
to catchment area).
Lars M. Svendsen, Ruth Grant, Brian Kronvang,
Anker Laubel and NN. 0.9 man years.
Water Erosion, Agriculture and Border
Zones: Nature and Environmental Importance of Water Course
Border Zones (306-020)
Measurements of soil erosion, sedimentation
and relevant soil physical parameters will be conducted within
135 slope units covering a wide spectrum of potential erodible,
Danish agricultural land, with regard to physio-graphic conditions.
The function and structure of stream border zones at the 135 slope
units will be investigated with regard to sedimentation, vegetation,
bank erosion etc. Data will be used in the development of an expert
system.
Brian Kronvang, Lars M. Svendsen, Anker Laubel
og Søren E. Larsen. 1.1 man years.
The Nationwide Monitoring Programme
of Inland Waters and Agricultural Catchment Areas: Thematic
Data Centre Activities and Associated Activities (306-023)
In 1987 the Danish Government passed the Action
Plan for the Aquatic Environment. The main objectives of the Action
plan are the reduction of nitrogen discharge to the aquatic environment
by 50% and the phosphorus discharge by 80%. In connection with
the Action Plan a monitoring programme (NMP) was established with
the aim to observe the reduction in discharge of nutrients and
monitor the effects on the biological communities in the aquatic
environment as a consequence of the regulations in the Action
Plan. 58 springs, approx. 300 streams, 37 lakes and 6 small agricultural
catchment areas are monitored. NERI is responsible for the collection
of data, and the coordinating, compiling and reporting of this
monitoring programme. Data are kept on NERI's database and NERI
ensures reliable data and common guidelines. NERI compiles data
for national and international institutions and participates in
HELCOM and OSPAR working groups concerning riverine output to
the sea.
Jørgen Windolf, Lars M. Svendsen, Ruth
Grant, Jens Peder Jensen, Brian Kronvang, Gitte Blicher-Mathiesen,
Anker R. Laubel, Erik Jeppesen, Martin Søndergaard, Hans
Estrup Andersen, Nikolai Friberg and Anette Baattrup-Pedersen.
9.1 man years.
Nutrient and Pesticide Turnover and
Retention in Wet Meadows
(306-024)
Wet meadows have a denitrification potential
of some of the diffuse load from agriculture. The hydrological
conditions of many riparian areas will be changed in connection
with planned river restoration projects. In this project the turnover
of nutrients and pesticides is investigated in undrained meadows.
Nutirent retention is quantified by detailed tabulation of water
and nutrient mass balances. Groundwater flow paths are validated
by re-collection of added bromide, and water flow in the unsaturated
zone is investigated. Evaporation from some of the wet meadows
is measured with Bowens Ratio Evaporation Balance and lysimetres.
Denitrification is measured as excess dissolved N2
in the groundwater and as degases N2.
Carl Chr.Hoffmann, Gitte Blicher-Mathiesen,
Hans Estrup Andersen, Ruth Grant and Morten Lauge-Pedersen. 1.6
man years.
Sustainable Fishfarming Practices
(306-032)
Fish farming in Denmark in 1993 constitutes
more than 5 per cent of the total phosphorus load to the freshwater
environment and up to a third of the phosphorus load in catchment
areas holding many fish farms. Organic load from fish farms and
dead river reaches with little or no summer flow deteriorates
downstream reaches in several places. Legal measures have been
taken to regulate fish farm intake of water for operating in the
future. In this study a totally recycling fishfarming system is
tested by comparing nutrient cycling, fish production and health
with common fish farming practices.
Lars Moeslund Svendsen. 0.4 man years.
Non-Point Pollution, Poland (306-033)
The main objective of the project is to assess
the present pollution load of nitrogen, phosphorus and pesticides
originating from agricultural activities in Polish coastal catchment
areas, and to provide the relevant Polish authorities with a tool
that will enable them to forecast the water quality in surface
waters as a result of various agricultural practices.
Niels Bering Ovesen, Hans Estrup Andersen,
Brian Kronvang and Lars M. Svendsen. 0.6 man years.
Management of Permanent Grassland
on Low-lying Soils. Nutrient Turnover and Loss of Nutrients to
the Environment (306-034)
There is a need for limitating the agricultural production and there is a need for diminishing the nutrient load to the aquatic environment. To fulfil these goals a part of the intensively managed agricultural soils, especially low-lying soils and reclaimed freshwater wetland soils, must be extensified.
Riparian areas are of strategic importance because they possess the qualities for reducing the nutrient load of the aquatic environment. This can be done by measures such as: disconnection of drains and ditches, reduction in use of fertiliser, and change of land use into permanent grass land or meadow.
A change to waterlogged conditions or partly waterlogged conditions might lead to undesired environmental problems by mobilisation and leaching of iron- and phosphorus compounds and by production and emission of green house gases.
This investigation will focus on the environmental
impacts resulting from extensification of low-lying soils (including
reclaimed freshwater wetland soils).
Carl Christian Hoffmann, Gitte Blicher-Mathiesen
and Ruth Grant. 0.8 man year.
Biodiversity and Structure of the
Macro-invertebrate Community in Forest Streams - a Comparison
between Streams Running through Nature and Production Forestry
(306-035)
Forests have considerable environmental, conservational
and recreational value, and plans for forestry in Denmark involve
increased afforestation, multi-purpose forestry and a nature forest
strategy. The consequences of a changed forestry practice on the
forest stream biota need to be elucidated and compared with streams
that run through traditional production (plantation) forests,
in order to provide guidelines for forest stream management. The
objective of the present project is to investigate differences
in biodiversity and biological structure of macro-invertebrates
in forest streams in relation to forest type (undisturbed nature
forest versus various types of production forest), and geographical
region.
Nikolai Friberg and Jens Skriver. 0.5 man years.
Indicators of Nature Quality: Streams
and Riparian Zones (306-036)
For centuries the Danish landscape has been
substantially modified by human activity. Consequently, the majority
of naturally occurring streams and their riparian zones have been
impacted in various ways. High loading with nutrients, physical
modification of stream channels, removal of riparian vegetation
and drainage of flood plains have reduced the natural quality
of most Danish streams. In Denmark there is a longstanding tradition
for monitoring the degree of primarily organic pollution using
macro-invertebrates and for assessing fish populations in streams.
However, there have been no previous assements of the nature quality
of streams or their riparian zones. Where the stream bioassessment
method (Danish Stream Fauna Index) presently in use is likely
also to predict nature quality, there is a need to develop an
indicator set for the riparian zone. In addition, it is necessary
to develop a method for evaluating physical stream features and
a fish index to achieve the ultimate goal of the project, which
is to develop an integrated environmental and nature quality index
for streams and riparian zones. A Ph.D.-project on stream vegetation
ecology focusing on riparian and hydrological interactions is
performed.
Nikolai Friberg and Jens Skriver. 0.8 man years.
Thematic Data Centre for Hydrometric
Data and Associated Projects (306-038)
Hydrometric data are essential in environmental
research and monitoring and in river planning and administration.
The Thematic Data Centre for Hydrometric Data is responsible for
the operation af a national database on river discharge, and will
carry out basic research on measurement tecnology and network
design. The Focal Point monitors a national network of river stations
and collects data from the Counties. The Focal Point calculates
the freshwater discharge to Danish marine waters and provides
data service for public authorities and national and international
institutions. Further, the Focal Point delivers data and information
for a project developing a national Water Resource Model.
Niels Bering Ovesen, Peter Græsbøll,
Hans Iversen and Lars M. Svendsen. 3.0 man years.
Participation in European Topic Centre
on Inland Waters within the EEA
(306-041)
In cooperation with the EEA, Thematic Data
Centres and National Reference Centres and a number of international
and national research and data institutions, NERI contributes
with expertise within selected areas of the EEA Work Programme.
Torben Moth Iversen, Peter Kristensen and Jens
Bøgestrand. 0.8 man year.
The research aims at providing a scientific basis
for understanding, planning and managing the environmental quality
of Danish marine areas including coastal areas and waters, fjords
and the open sea. The global dimension of marine research is integrated
in coastal management and nutrient exchange between land and sea.
Emphasis is being placed on analysis of the mechanisms regulating
physical, chemical and biological processes, and of matter transport
to the Danish waters from land, atmosphere and adjacent marine
areas. The research includes studies of waterfowl population,
effects of leisure activities and management of special protected
areas for waterfowl.
In particular, research is directed towards problems related to:
NICE - Nitrogen Cycling in Estuaries
(307-002)
The NICE project studies the fate of anthropogenic
nitrogen discharged into estuaries and coastal waters. The removal
of nitrogen in these waters is quantified in order to evaluate
to what extent nitrogen is being transported from land to the
open seas. NERI's part of the project deals with the effects of
floating macroalgae on nitrogen turnover in general with special
attention to nitrogen removal.
Tage Dalsgaard, Søren Rysgaard and Peter
Bondo Christensen. 2.0 man years.
MICROMARE - Development of Microsensors
for Use in the Marine Environment (307-004)
The project develops microsensors for use in the sea.
The sensors developed or adapted can be classified according to three major categories:
Furthermore, measuring devices, optical systems,
opto-, signal- and systems electronics will be developed and constructed
with a view to direct testing and application of the micro-sensors
in marine environments.
Jens K. Gundersen and Tage Dalsgaard. 0.8 man
years.
A Remote Sensing System for Coastal
Zone Management (307-005)
Although submerged vegetation plays a key role
in coastal ecosystems, efficient methods for large-scale quantification
of submerged vegetation are lacking. The project aims at developing
robust, operational and cost-efficient remote sensing techniques
for mapping submerged vegetation from aerial photographs, airborne
scanner data and satellite images. This involves field identification
of the characteristics of different vegetation types and the technical
development of a remote sensing system in the form of computer
software.
Peter Bondo Christensen, Dorte Krause-Jensen,
Søren Rysgaard, Michael Stjernholm and Kurt Nielsen. 1.1
man years.
Nutrient Fluxes and Benthic Primary
Production on Tidal Flats (307-006)
The annual variations in primary production
of benthic microalgae and nutrient fluxes of the sediments on
an inter-tidal flat are measured. The study focuses on the interactions
between benthic microalgae and sediment-water fluxes of nutrients.
Torben Feldsgaard Pedersen. 1.1 man years.
Impact of Off-shore Wind Turbines
on Birds (307-007)
The scope of the project is to identify and
quantify the disturbance effect of off-shore wind turbines on
staging and migrating waterfowl. The Eider (Somateria moillissima)
is, due to its abundance, used as key species.
Magella Guillemette, Jesper Kyed Larsen, Ebbe
Bøgebjerg, Ib Clausager and NN. 2.7 man years.
Fly-way-based Analyses of Migratory
Waterfowl Populations (307-009)
Waterfowl ecology is nominated as a 'spearhed'
activity in NERI. Research is carried out to analyse (on an annual
basis) potential energetic bottlenecks in selected waterfowl populations
and the influence of habitat and human disturbance. The goal is
to improve the scientific basis for national and international
conservation and management strategies. The selected populations
are: pink-footed goose, Greenland white-fronted goose, light-bellied
brent goose, teal and eider.
Jesper Madsen, Henning Noer, Anthony D. Fox,
Jens Peder Hounisen, Stefan Pihl, Preben Clausen, Magella Guillemette,
Ebbe Bøgebjerg, NN. 4.1 man years.
Øresund Fixed Link Bird Monitoring
Programme (307-010)
The purpose of the project is to monitor the
impact on the regions bird life of the construction of a fixed
link across Øresund. Construction activities are planned
for the period 1995-1999, including a 4 km long artificial island
built in close proximity to an internationally important bird
sanctuary at the Danish island of Saltholm. The monitoring programme
focusses on a breeding colony of 7,000 pairs of common eiders
and moulting greylag geese (10,000) and mute swans (2,000), while
more extensive monitoring of staging and wintering waterfowl is
carried out both an a local and a regional basis.
Henning Noer, Anthony D. Fox, Johnny Kahlert,
Thomas Kjær Christensen, Preben Clausen, Ebbe Bøgebjerg,
Jens Peder Hounisen and NN. 3.8 man years.
Reserve Effect and Shooting Regulation
on Waterfowl and 10 o'clock Regulation of Goose Hunting (307-011)
In connection with the 1994 revision of the Danish Wildlife and Hunting Act two major changes were made in relation to protection of waterfowl from hunting activies:
The aim of the project is by monitoring, modelling,
time-budgetting and marking of individual birds to evaluate the
effect of these changes in hunting legislation on waterfowl use
(numbers, distribution, habitat utilisation, duration of stay
etc.) of the Danish coastal areas.
Preben Clausen, Jesper Madsen, Anthony D. Fox,
Pelle Andersen-Harrild, Ebbe Bøgebjerg, Jens Peder Hounisen,
Hans Erik Jørgensen and NN. 4.1 man years.
National Data Topic Centre: Game
and Waterfowl (307-012)
The recording of the annual game bag in Denmark
is based on information from all license holders, information
about the age, sex and temporal distribution of the waterfowl
bag based on collection of wings from bagged waterfowls, collection
of information on the population size and distribution of wintering
waterfowl, on the population dynamic and migration of birds, and
on bird strikes in Danish airports.
Ib Clausager,Tommy Asferg,Hanne Fensbæk,
Pia Siw Sørensen, Jens Peter Hounisen, Stefan Pihl and
Peter Mikkelsen. 2.0 man years.
Benthic-pelagic Coupling in Coastal
Marine Areas (307-013)
Identification and quantification of factors that regulate the flow of energy and material between pelagic and benthic systems is essential for our ability to predict effects and fate of nutrients and pollutants in aquatic ecosystems. Through combined field studies and experiments using radiotracers and algal pigments as markers of pelagic production, studies are conducted to assess:
Alf B. Josefson, Thomas Forbes, Ph.D. 1.1 man
years.
Animal-sediment Relationships in
the Coastal Zone: The Role of Macrobenthic Infauna in Determining
the Fate of Organic Matter (307-015)
The rate and extent of the biodegradation of
organic matter and many organic contaminants in sediments are
determined by the rate of microbial metabolism. The composition
and metabolic activity of the microbial community, in turn, are
primarily controlled by the activity of the larger sediment-dwelling
animals (macrofauna). The research is focused on microbe - organism
- sediment interactions with the goal of obtaining a more predictive
understanding of the role of sediment-dwelling animals in the
degradation and bioavailability of sedimentary organic matter.
Thomas L. Forbes, Alf B. Josefson and Ph.D.
student, 0.7 man years.
Phytoplankton blooms and oxygen depletion in
marine waters are two topics of major scientific and public concern.
The aim of the present project is to study temporal and horizontal
variation in food web structure to get a better understanding
of the fate of phytoplankton production. The project compares
food web structure in eutrophic temperate areas with ecosystems
with less human impact in the arctic (Disko Bay west Greenland)
and the tropics (Andaman Sea, Thailand). This comparison will
provide a better overall understanding of the function and structure
of marine pelagic ecosystems.
Torkel Gissel Nielsen, Henrik Levinsen, Suzanne
Madsen and Hanne Kaas. 4.5 man years.
Effect on Water Quality and Marine
Life of Bridge Construction Works in The Øresund (307-021)
Construction works on the sea floor affects
water quality and marine life in a number of ways. Immidiate effects
associated with the dredging process include increase in the concentration
of suspended solids, nutrients and toxic substances, e.g. heavy
metals bound in the sediments may be released to the water column.
Depending on the strength of the sources and the current regime
during dredging the material may be transported tens of km's before
returning to the sediment. Suspended solids affects light penetration
preventing the growth of macroalgae and rooted macrophytes at
larger depths. Heavy loads of suspended solids may interfere with
the feeding process of benthic suspension feeders and in severe
cases whole bottom communities may be covered with sediments.
In sedimentation areas adjactent to the dredging sites, sediment
charateristics (e.g. size distribution) are expected to change
affecting the composition of benthic communities.The objectives
of the project is to determine the impact of bridge construction
works in The Øresund on water quality and marine bottom
vegetation and fauna outside the primary effect zone.
Flemming Møhlenberg, Jens Kjerulf Petrsen,
Alf Josefson, Britta Petersen, Martin M. Hansen, Carsten T. Agger,
Peter Bondo Christensen and Dorte Krause-Jensen. 5.1 man years.
Structure and Function of Coastal
Ecosystems (307-022)
The shallow areas act as sinks, sources and transformers of carbon and nutrients, and the relative importance of these functions varies spatially as well as seasonally. Within coastal ecosystems variations in quality are mainly regarded as being due to variations in nutrient loading. However, the importance of bottom structure and raughness, the strength of physical forcing affecting vertical mixing (i.e. tide, wind, heat flux), and the high frequency variability on biogeochemical processes have hitherto been almost completely ignored in studies on the overall structure and function in shallow coastal waters. Short term changes in plankton biomass and composition are often triggered by changes in water column stability and the intensity of vertical mixing. On longer time scales changes in bottom structure (e.g. due to boulder removal) and variation in length of icecover and summer stratification resulting in structural changes in bottom fauna can give rise to interannual variation in water quality parameters such as chlorophyll concentration and water transparency due to reduced grazing pressure. The objectives of this project are:
Flemming Møhlenberg and Jens Kjerulf
Petersen. 2.5 man years.
Population Dynamics in the Marine
Microbial Food Web (307-023)
Dominance of culturable bacteria presents a
novel prospect for future characterisation of the marine bacterial
community. It is therefore the aim of this project to connect
functional aspects of particular bacteria to specific biogeochemical
processes. A pronounced feature of this kind is the accumulation
of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) during the summer period. The
project will include both field measurements and laboratory experimentation,
and molecular biology methods as well as marine analytical chemistry
are important tools.
Åke Hagström and Bo Riemann. 3.0
man years.
Toxic Microalgae in Aquatic Environments
(307-026)
.
Toxic algae are recurring in Danish aquatic
environments. The toxins produced by the algae influence the ecosystems
and have an impact on man's utilisation of the sea and freshwaters.
The aim of this project is to improve Danish management plans
for occurrences of toxic algae in limnic and marine environments.
Hanne Kaas. 0.1 man years.
Thematic Data Centre: Marine Data
(307-027)
The goal of the Thematic Data Centre for marine
data is: to ensure the collection of comparable and reliable data
about the marine environment; to advise on data collection, handling,
storing and analyses; to keep NERI's databases up to date in relation
to new methods, new parameters and to adhere to common guidelines;
and to provide user friendly interfaces to meet the increasing
needs for easy on-line access to and exchange of data both within
NERI and with respect to other national and international institutions.
A quality assurance (QA) system covering the measurements performed
in relation to the marine monitoring programmes is developed and
implemented during 1997. The system fulfils the requirements for
an accreditation within the area. New guidelines for the Danish
Monitoring Programme on marine variables are produced.
Hanne Kaas, Jørgen Nørrevang,
Gunni Ærtebjerg, Carsten T. Agger, Anne-Marie Rolev, Flemming
Møhlenberg, Peter Sandbeck, Daniel Conley, NN and Dorte
Krause-Jensen. 4.0 man years.
Marine Analytical Chemistry (307-028)
Measurements in the marine environment are
highly dependent on an efficient marine analytical chemistry which
can provide reliable and consistent results based on the latest
developments in the area. NERI is responsible for a large marine
analytical task as part of the monitoring of the open sea. The
monitoring takes place especially in the frame-work of the project
"The Nation-wide Monitoring Programme of Inland and Marine
Waters" (for further and broader background information see
this project). The obligations also include measurements in monitoring
programmes according to several international agreements for the
marine environment.
Britta Pedersen and Martin M. Larsen. 1.8 man
years.
The Trilateral Wadden Sea Monitoring
Programme (307-030)
The aim of the project is to implement the
datahandling projects of the TMAP-DemoWad project in collaboration
with Germany and The Netherlands. The projects comprise the definition
of trilateral data exchange formats, development of a data cataloque
system, establishment of a common digitized map, performing a
protype test of the trilateral data handling procedures and implementation
of the system and testing with selected data sets. Futhermore
a national Wadden Sea database is being established at NERI, based
on data collected by the Counties and bird data from other databases
at NERI.
Peter Sandbeck, Henrik S. Larsen, Karsten Laursen
and Torben Ballegaard. 1.1 man years.
The Nation-wide Monitoring of Marine
Waters (307-036)
NERI conducts the monitoring activities in
the open sea, while regional authorities are monitoring inlets,
fjords and coastal areas. In the open sea, the water quality is
monitored during 10 cruises in the Kattegat., Belt Sea and western
Baltic sea, and one cruise in the North Sea and Skagerak. The
sampling comprises physical conditions, nutrient concentrations,
plankton biomass and species composition. Furthermore the sampling
programme includes data on soft-bottom zoobenthos and macrobenthic
vegetation. In the inlets, fjords and coastal areas, corresponding
information is collected in about 70 marine areas. On the basis
of the information collected in the nation-wide monitoring programme,
NERI makes annual assessments of the state of the marine environment.
For the analyses of state, trends and causes, additional data
are made available by the Danish Institute for Fisheries and Marine
Research, and by Swedish, Norwegian and German authorities. Presently
the current programme is evaluated and revised in order to secure
that new knowledge is implemented in the next programme period
1998-2003.
Hanne Kaas, Gunni Ærtebjerg, Britta Pedersen,
Jørgen Nørrevang Jensen and Karsten Dahl. 5.6 man
years.
Effects of Sediments on Nutrient
Budgets of Estuaries (307-040)
Data on the role of sediment and primary producers
on nutrient cycling, removal and dynamics in Danish fjords are
analysed. Database construction, hydrographic modelling and statistical
analyses will be the tools. The aim will be to put these scientific
data into a monitoring context and to write scientific publications.
Peter Bondo Christensen, Tage Dalsgaard, Søren
Rysgaard and NN. 2.1 man years.
National Monitoring: Coastal and
Marine Habitats and Species (307-041)
The aim of the project is to follow the development
and discover unexpected trends in the environment by monitoring
selected plant and animal species and selected habitats.
Michael Stoltze, Peter Wind, Lars Maltha Rasmussen,
Pelle Andersen-Harild, Stefan Pihl, Peter Mikkelsen and NN. 6.9
man years.
Crippling of Game Species (307-042)
X-raying of hunted waterfowl species has revealed that up to 40% of the individuals are carrying embedded shot. Based on these figures and annual survival rates, recently published analyses demonstrate that to produce such percentages pellets must be inflicted upon ca. one individual for each bagged one. The goals of the project are:
Henning Noer, Jesper Madsen and NN. 0.9 man
years.
Nutrient Biogeochemical Cycling (307-043)
Biological reactions occur within the coastal zone modifying the flux of nutrients from the land to the sea. These effects are particularly intense in areas where light reaches the bottom stimulating the growth of plants and benthic diatoms. The effect of the coastal zone in modifying the flux of nutrients is addressed by contemporaneous measurements of nutrient recycling processes as related to organic matter in both laboratory and field studies, and through the use of paleo-ecological techniques to investigate the long term anthropogenic alteration of nutrient cycles. The linkages between the shallow coastal zone and the adjacent pelagic areas are investigated by studying:
In addition, a quantitative environmental reconstruction
from fossil diatom assemblages will be developed. The results
will be used to develop a predictive model, or "transfer
function", that eventually will be applied to dated sediment
cores to reconstruct the history of nutrient enrichment in Danish
coastal waters. One goal is to differentiate between climate changes
and eutophication effects by examining the time scales of natural
and anthropogenic geochemical changes.
Daniel Conley, Flemming Møhlenberg and
Ulla Li Zweifel. 1.7 man years.
Indicators of Environmental and Nature
Quality: Relationships between Environmental Factors and Community
Structure in three parts of the Marine Ecosystem (307-044)
The effects of severe eutrophication events
are well described for phytoplancton, benthic macrofauna and benthic
macroalgae. However, the more subtle responses of the biological
communities at lower levels of eutrophication are poorly described,
and quantitative relations between loads and responses are rare
or missing. The aim of this project is to establish empirical
relationships between communities and natural and anthropogenic
parameters by the means of multivariate methods. These analyses
form the basis of optimizing the monitoring programme, the development
of classification systems, and indicators of nature and environmental
quality.
Jørgen Nørrevang Jensen, Hanne
Kaas, Karsten Dahl, Henrik Søren Larsen and Gunni Ærtebjerg.
2.0 man years.
Change in land use and agricultural practice affects
the extent and distribution of terrestrial habitats with detrimental
effects on flora and fauna. The research addresses the natural
as well as the antropogenic factors regulating the ecological
processes at population, habitat and landscape level, with emphasis
on land use, agricultural production, hunting, tourism and other
leisure activities, and the critical loads of long range atmospheric
pollution. The development of remote sensing and GIS techniques
is linked to the development of indicators for biodiversity and
quality of nature with the aim to provide a scientific basis for
terrestrial monitoring of natural resources.
The research is focused on following themes:
Air Chemistry and Surface Fluxes:
Terrestrial (308-611)
The aims of this project are to construct realistic
estimates and models which predict the downwind deposition of
NH3, HNO3, NO2, and O3
to Danish forests; and to construct a pesticide transport model
applicable to Danish conditions for eventual use by government
authorities. The estimates of deposition to forests contribute
to a long term study to monitor and evaluate the vitality and
resilience of Danish forests.
Mads Hovmand, Helle Vibeke Andersen and Willem
A.H. Asman. 4.5 man years.
National Monitoring: Species and
Terrestrial Habitats (308-613)
The development of the terrestrial environment
and trends in the environmental quality are identified by monitoring
selected plant and animal species and habitats.
Michael Stoltze, Torben Ballegaard, Lars Maltha
Rasmussen and Peter Wind. 1.1 man years.
Indicators of Nature Quality (308-614)
The project aims are:
Michael Stoltze, Peter Wind, Susanne Mark,
Torben Ballegaard, NN, Jesper Fredshavn, Jonas Lawesson, Anna
Bodil Hald and Bernd Münier. 5.6 man years.
Forest Management and Biodiversity
(308-615)
The objective of the project is to study how
forest management on various spatial scales affects the distribution
of biodiversity. On the regional scale, patterns of biodiversity
along the slopes of the Andes in South-America are related to
the ways in which man uses and perceives the forest environment.
On a landscape scale, impacts of forest fragmentation in eastern
Jutland are quantified and related to the distribution of plants
and birds. On a local scale, biological consequences of different
forest management are studied at Kalø. Model building and
the use of GIS is essential on all levels.
Flemming Skov, Jonas Lawesson, Lars Gabrielsen,
Tommy Asferg, Jørn Pagh Berthelsen, Geoffrey Groom, Rasmus
Ejrnæs, Mogens Rosengaard and Mie Svidt. 2.9 man years.
Integrated Monitoring of Air Pollution
on Sensitive Terrestrial Ecosystems (308-617)
The Integrated Monitoring programme of the
United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UN-ECE) follows
the adverse conditions and effects associated with long range
transboundary air pollution in a network of integrated monitoring
sites. A EU-LIFE financed monitoring project is attached to the
ECE programme. The Danish part of LIFE project deals with new
monitoring techniques and ecological modelling. A Ph.D. project
focuses on soil nitrogen cycling in heathlands.
Knud Erik Nielsen, Jesper Bak, Morten T. Strandberg,
Knud Tybirk and Hanne Lakkenborg Kristensen. 4.2 man years.
Landscape structure is an essential factor
determining the abundance and distribution of organisms in the
landscape. It determines where organisms can exist as well as
their spatial dynamics. Understanding the spatial and population
dynamics of organisms on this scale requires the development of
a conceptual framework (or model) due to the scale and complexity
of the processes involved. This project underpins the development
of such a framework for investigating the effect of landscape
structures and management on the dispersion and abundance of organisms
in the Danish landscape through the development of computer models
based on detailed data from experimentation and literature review.
The effects of barriers, corridors and fragmentation on populations
and the creation of simulation models to predict the effect of
changing the management of the Danish landscape are of particular
interest. Because of the large data requirements, reliance is
placed on well studied species together with carefully targeted
experimentation.
Carsten Riis Olesen, Chris Topping, Aksel Bo
Madsen, Allan Prang, Kurt Hansen, Mette Hammershøj, Jørn
Pagh Berthelsen, Bo Gaardmand, Poul Hartmann, Flemming Skov, Tommy
Asferg, Peter Odderskær, Helmuth Strandgaard and Mogens
Rosengaard. 9.7 man years.
The Effects of Traffic on the Fauna
(308-623)
Construction of new road and railway systems,
pollution, drainage, or filling of small ponds etc. divide the
landscape and form barriers or reduce the elements of habitat
of the wild fauna to a degree that extinction of individual species
may happen locally or regionally. To increase the amount of knowledge
about the effects of habitat fragmentation, effects of changes
are studied on the occurrence and dynamics of local amphibian
populations. Also the mammalian use of different kinds of tunnel
passages at new roads and railways during recent years are studied
to evaluate the effectiveness of these constructions and the reducing
fragmentation effects on higher level animals.
Kurt Hansen, Tove Hels (Ph.D. student), Bo
Gaardmand, Jørn Pagh Berthelsen and NN. 2.1 man years.
Agricultural Biodiversity (308-624)
The decrease in agricultural biodiversity is challenged through an examination of an array of habitats focusing on nature-friendly management (organically managed rotational fields, grassland, linear semi-natural areas) and of the dependency of various biota (plants, arthropods and birds) on the maintenance, state and thus management of these habitats.
The project aims at providing original research
which along with literature reviews allows for the development
of operational definitions, objectives for management and monitoring
methodologies focusing on the development of bio-indicators for
environmental and nature quality. The methods applied involves
more traditional approaches combined with new methods for analysis
and new applications as well as new approaches (spatial modelling
and remote sensing/GIS) particularly for the extension of methods
and results to the landscape scale.
Jens Reddersen, Rasmus Ejrnæs, Anna Bodil
Hald, Anne Jacobsen, Peter Odderskær, Chris Topping, Jonas
Laweson and NN. 5.6 man years.
Organic farming: Interactions Between
Arthropod Fauna and Crop Management (308-626)
The project deals with three aspects of interactions
between management and fauna: Importance of soil organisms to
plant nutrient dynamics, interactions between soil organisms and
epigaiic predators, and crop resistance to herbivore attacks.
The content of organic matter in soils influences the soil fauna.
The soil fauna is of importance to plant nutrient dynamics and
to polyphagous predators which in turn prey on crop pests. Crop
pests are also influenced by plant quality which depends on cultivar
choice and nutrient availability. The pest itself may induce changes
in plant quality.
Jørgen Aagaard Axelsen, Niels Elmegaard,
Martin Holmstrup and Paul Henning Krogh. 1.9 man years.
Critical Loads Concepts and Mapping
(308-629)
The project evaluates effects of air pollution
and management techniques on sensitive ecosystems, and critical
loads and exceedances are calculated and mapped for Danish ecosystems
as a basis for international and national reduction targets for
air pollution emissions. Calculations are made for sulphur, nitrogen,
Volatile Organic Compounds, ozone, heavy metals and Persistent
Organic Pollutants. The project is part of the international cooperation
under the Geneva Convention on Long Range Transboundary Air Pollution.
Jesper Bak, Hans Løkke, John Jensen,
Klaus Skovbo Jensen, Knud Tybirk, Morten T. Strandberg and Knud
Erik Nielsen. 1.8 man years.
Other scientific activities
NERI allocates substantial resources to the theme, environmental data. The activities include data sampling, quality control, processing, storage, and delivery of data generated in monitoring and research programmes run by NERI as well as by other authorities. Specific parts of these activities are presented under relevant research areas, but a number of activities are of general character:
Development of a Nation-wide Land
Use Mapping within an Area Information System (399-002)
The objective of the project is to develop
an Area Information System as a multi-disciplinary tool for research
and administrative purposes within the departments of the Ministry
of Environment and Energy. The primary goal of the system is mapping
and monitoring of land use changes in order to illustrate their
interactions with and effects on the environment. A common basic
land use map of Denmark on the scale of 1:25,000, a series of
needed databases and a satellite archive are to be established.
Moreover, updating methods and coordination with the existing
data collecting institutes are considered of major importance
to the project.
Susie Mielby, Steen Platou, Michael Stjernholm,
Geoffrey Groom and Henning Steen Hansen. 4.9 man years.
Remote Sensing, Implementation and
Coordination in NERI (399-003)
The project aims at coordination and information
activities in connection with the use of Remote Sensing at NERI,
and the representation of NERI and national interests in specific
national and international fora within the theme.
Michael Stjernholm. 0.4 man years.
GIS, Implementation and Coordination
(399-004)
The objective of the project is to establish
and maintain basic institutional GIS facilities within NERI.
Susie Mielby, Torben Ballegaard, Henning Sten
Hansen and Steen Platou. 1.9 man years.
EEA. Cooperation within the European
Environment Agency (399-007)
NERI is the Danish National Focal Point of
the network EIONET established in connection with the EEA. More
than 150 institutions and private companies have been registered
in the Danish part of the network. As National Focal Point NERI
has the responsibility for the coordination of the cooperation
of this network with the EEA in accordance with the work programme
of the EEA.
Torben Moth Iversen, Bjarne Norup and John
Holten-Andersen. 1.5 man years.
Monitoring of Changes in Biotope
and Land Use Inventory in Schleswig-Holstein and Denmark by means
of Satellite Images Analysis and GIS Technology (399-008)
Spatial information on biotope and land use structure is essential for environmental decision making and research. The value of all area related information decreases rapidly if updating is not performed continuously. Earth observation techniques provide a cost- and time-efficient alternative to established methods.
The project is a pilot project and its main
objectives are to establish procedures for creation of overview
maps and to detect changes in biotope and land use.
Susie Mielby, Michael Stjernholm and Geoffrey
Groom. 0.8 man years.