|
|
|
English summary
In Ivittuut at Arsuk Fjord in South Greenland the mineral cryolite ore was mined, sorted and shipped from 1854 to 1987. The mining operations have caused pollution with lead and zinc of the fjord. The main source is waste rock, which has been left at the coastline releasing
lead and zinc to the fjord from tidal water action.
The pollution of the fjord has been monitored since 1982. Since 1985 this monitoring has only included seaweed and blue mussels, since earlier studies had shown that fish and prawns from the fjord were not affected by the lead and zinc pollution. This report is an assessment
of the latest environmental study, which was carried out in 2001.
The geographical pattern of lead and zinc levels found in 2001 in brown seaweed and blue mussels shows that the quay area in Ivittuut still is the main source of pollutants, although a local elevation of particularly lead was seen at Taylers Havn c. 6 km south of Ivittuut.
Elevated lead levels in blue mussels and elevated zinc levels in brown seaweed were found on the coast in all of the outer part of Arsuk Fjord. Elevated lead levels in brown seaweed were seen on a
smaller coastline stretch, from c. 3 km southeast of Ivittuut to c. 9 km northwest of Ivittuut.
Along a stretch of coastline of c. 10 km around Ivittuut the lead concentration in blue mussels is so high that it is recommended not to collect and eat blue mussels from this area. The area has not changed since 1992, but earlier it included a larger part of the coastline in the
fjord.
In both seaweed and blue mussels the lead level has declined from 1998 to 2001 and also over the entire monitoring period (1982 to 2001). From 1998 to 2001 no consistent changes for zinc are apparent, and this is also the case for the entire monitoring period (1982 to 2001).
|
