Water In Norway Research Articles

Thaumasite formed by sulfate attack on mortar with limestone filler

Abstract Early evidence of thaumasite formation in mortar with limestone filler exposed to sulfate containing tunnel water in Norway is reviewed. The problem is discussed in light of the new European cement standard allowing cements containing up to 35% limestone (e.g. CEM II/B-L) rendering them prone to detrimental sulfate attack. Experiments are performed where mortars with 20% limestone or quartz filler, respectively, are stored in 5% sodium sulfate solution saturated with gypsum at 5 °C. Length change, flexural strength and compressive strength are measured periodically for a year. The microstructure of the mortars is inspected by scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive analyser of X-rays documenting the formation of sulfate containing species including ettringite and thaumasite.

Time series study of concentrations of SO 42− and H + in precipitation and soil waters in Norway

Along with a steady reduction of acid inputs during 14 years of intensive forest monitoring in Norway, the influence of acid deposition upon soil water acidity is gradually reduced in favour of other and internal sources of H + and sulphate, in particular from processes in the upper soil layer. We used statistical analyses in two steps for precipitation, throughfall and soil water at 5, 15 and 40 cm depths. Firstly, we employed time series analyses to model the temporal variation as a long-term linear trend and a monthly variation, and by this filtered out residual, weekly variation. Secondly, we used the parameter estimates and the residuals from this to show that the long term, the monthly and the weekly variation in one layer were correlated to similar temporal variation in the above, adjacent layer. This was strongly evident for throughfall correlated to precipitation, but much weaker for soil water. Continued acidification in soil water on many plots suggests that the combined effects of anthropogenic and natural acid inputs exceed in places the buffering capacity of the soil.

Occurrence of Cryptosporidium oocysts and Giardia cysts in raw waters in Norway

This paper reports the first investigation into the occurrence of Cryptosporidium and Giardia in Norwegian raw water sources. Between June 1998 and October 1999, 408 raw water samples, collected from 147 different sites across Norway, were analysed for these parasites. Analysis was based upon US EPA Method 1623. In 305 samples (75%), parasites were not detected. In 55 samples (13.5%), Cryptosporidium only was detected. In 38 samples (9%), Giardia only was detected. In 10 samples (2.5%) both Cryptosporidium and Giardia were detected. Of the sites sampled, parasites were not detected at 100 (68%) of them, Cryptosporidium only was detected at 20 (13.5%). Giardia only was detected at 11 (7.5%), and both Cryptosporidium and Giardia were detected at 16 (11%). Concentrations of parasites were low; usually one cyst/oocyst detected per 10 litres of water. Significant associations were demonstrated for these samples between the detection of these parasites and (a) turbidity > or =2.0 NTU, and (b) high numbers of domestic animals within the catchment area. No association between seasonality and the occurrence of these parasites could be detected. The results are discussed in relation to other studies and the potential public health implications for Norway.

Occurrence of Cryptosporidium oocysts and Giardia cysts in raw waters in Norway

Occurrence of Cryptosporidium oocysts and Giardia cysts in raw waters in Norway

Characterization of Vibrio viscosus and Vibrio wodanis isolated at different geographical locations: a proposal for reclassification of Vibrio viscosus as Moritella viscosa comb. nov.

Vibrio viscosus and Vibrio wodanis are recently described species of psychrotropic bacteria that have been found associated with a disease called 'winter ulcer', affecting salmonid fish reared in saline water in Norway, Iceland and recently in Scotland. V. viscosus and V. wodanis strains initially isolated from fish in Iceland and Norway were subjected to characterization using biochemical tests, SDS-PAGE of whole-cell proteins and a novel DNA fingerprinting method, amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP). The V. viscosus strains isolated from diseased fish grouped into homogeneous subgroups according to geographical origin and challenge experiments revealed that representatives of these groups are virulent. The results revealed that the V. wodanis strains are heterogeneous genotypically and phenotypically. Sequencing of almost complete 16S rRNA genes of V. viscosus and V. wodanis revealed that V. viscosus showed a 99.1% sequence similarity to Moritella marina and V. wodanis showed a 98.8% sequence similarity to Vibrio logei CIP 103204. A reclassification of Vibrio viscosus as Moritella viscosa comb. nov. is proposed.

Possible virulence factors of Aeromonas spp. from food and water

Thirty-one isolates of Aeromonas spp. from food and water in Norway were classified and tested for possible virulence factors including cytotoxins (tissue cultures, PCR), enterotoxins (PCR) and invasion ability (Caco-2 cells). Five different species were recorded, A. caviae (9/31), A. hydrophila (15/31), A. schubertii (3/31), A. trota (3/31) and A. veronii biovar veronii (1/31). One of the A. hydrophila strains was probably responsible for a small outbreak of food poisoning caused by ingestion of raw fermented fish. All the A. hydrophila strains produced and secreted cytotoxins at 37°C, as well as two A. trota strains and the single A. veronii biovar veronii strain. In some cases increased cytotoxin secretion was observed under osmotic stress. The majority of the A. caviae strains which produced cytotoxins at 30°C were unable to produce and/or secrete cytotoxins at 37°C. One A. schubertii strain and one A. caviae strain were invasive.

Possible virulence factors of Aeromonas spp. from food and water.

Thirty-one isolates of Aeromonas spp. from food and water in Norway were classified and tested for possible virulence factors including cytotoxins (tissue cultures, PCR), enterotoxins (PCR) and invasion ability (Caco-2 cells). Five different species were recorded, A. caviae (9/31), A. hydrophila (15/31), A. schubertii (3/31), A. trota (3/31) and A. veronii biovar veronii (1/31). One of the A. hydrophila strains was probably responsible for a small outbreak of food poisoning caused by ingestion of raw fermented fish. All the A. hydrophila strains produced and secreted cytotoxins at 37 degrees C, as well as two A. trota strains and the single A. veronii biovar veronii strain. In some cases increased cytotoxin secretion was observed under osmotic stress. The majority of the A. caviae strains which produced cytotoxins at 30 degrees C were unable to produce and/or secrete cytotoxins at 37 degrees C. One A. schubertii strain and one A. caviae strain were invasive.

Critical limits of acidification to invertebrates in different regions of Europe

The International Cooperative Programme on Assessment and Monitoring of Acidification of Rivers and Lakes (ICP-Water) started in 1987. The main aim of the programme is to establish degree and geographical extent of acidification of surface waters and evaluate dose/response relationships to aquatic biota attributable to acidic deposition. The sample frequency in each locality is from a few — to a large number every year. Samples of invertebrates are taken from 108 localities. One time samples as well as regularly seasonal samples over years exist in the database. The acidity score (Raddum index) is determined for the different sites and regions, and compared with the corresponding chemical data. The analysis show a strong relationship between water quality and fauna. Sensitive species/taxa are associated with high ANC and pH, while tolerant species/taxa are associated with low pH and ANC. The diversity of the fauna in less acidified areas varies from region to region depending on the native water quality and the adaptions of the fauna. In areas with strongly oligotrophic water, low in ionic strength, the sensitive fauna tolerate lower ANC and pH than in areas with originally high ionic strength and high pH. The critical load of ANC, 20 μeq/1, developed for the oligotrophic water in Norway, should therefore be increased in watersheds with high ionic strength. In Central Europe the data indicate a critical level of ANC ≈50 μeq/1.

Estimation of background sulphate concentrations in natural surface waters in Sweden

In order to measure the extent of acidification the background, ‘preindustrial’ conditions must be known. An equation for the estimation of background concentrations of sulphate in surface water in Norway was proposed by Henriksen. When applied on data from the Swedish lake survey in 1990 it was found that the calculated background concentrations exceeded those measured for about one-third of the lakes. The proposed revision is based on a background concentration in precipitation and an estimated contribution from weathering, the latter associated with base cations. Three different approaches were tested to establish the contribution from weathering; geochemical ratios or groundwater chemistry data as a basis, and historical data on denudification. The weathering calculated from groundwater chemistry data seems to give the best estimate of the background sulphate concentration in surface water. Organic matter as source or sink of sulphur is discussed and considered negligible.

A nation-wide survey of the chemical composition of drinking water in Norway

Water samples were collected from 384 waterworks that supply 70.9% of the Norwegian population. The samples were collected after water treatment and were analysed for 30 constituents. Although most constituents show wide concentration ranges, Norwegian drinking water is generally soft. The median values obtained are: 0.88 mg Si l −1, 0.06 mg Al l −1, 47 μg Fe l −1, 0.69 mg Mg l −1, 2.9 mg Ca l −1, 3.8 mg Na l −1, 6 μg Mn l −1, 12 μg Cu l t-1, 14 μg Zn l −1, 9 μg Bal −1, 15 μg Sr l −1, 0.14 mg K l −1, 58 μg F −l −1, 6.4 mg Cl −l −1, 11 μg Br − l −1, 0.46 mg NO 3 − l −1, 5.3 mg SO 4 2− l −1, 2.4 mg TOC l −1, 6.8 (pH), 50 μS cm −1 (conductivity) and 11 mg Pt l −1 (colour). Titanium, Pb, Ni, Co, V, Mo, Cd, Be and Li were seldom or never quantified, due to insufficient sensitivity of the ICP (inductively coupled plasma) method. Norwegian quality criteria, which exist for 17 of the constituents examined, are generally fulfilled, indicating that the chemical quality of drinking water, by and large, is good in Norway. For Fe, Ca, Mn, Cu, pH, TOC and colour, however, the norms for good drinking water are exceeded in more than 9% of the samples, reflecting two of the major problems associated with Norwegian drinking water supplies: (i) many water sources contain high concentrations of humic substances; (ii) in large parts of the country, the waters are soft and acidic, and therefore corrosive towards pipes, plumbing and other installations. Most constituents show marked regional distribution patterns, which are discussed in the light of different mechanisms contributing to the chemical composition of drinking water, namely: chemical weathering of mineral matter; atmospheric supply of salt particles from the sea; anthropogenic pollution (including acid precipitation); corrosion of water pipes and plumbing; water treatment; decomposition of organic matter; and hydrological differences.

The Acid Challenge to Security

Pollution does not respect national boundaries: British rain and snow poison drinking water in Norway; the Black Forest is dying from acid rain originating at home and abroad.

Increasing contributions of nitrogen to the acidity of surface waters in Norway

The acidification of lakes in southern Norway is largely due to sulfate. Recent data from regional surveys of lakes and from monitoring stations indicates that nitrate concentrations have increased in many lakes and rivers in southernmost Norway. The ratio of NO3 to NO3 + SO4 is still low for most areas, but is 0.54 on an equivalent basis in lakes and rivers in the area of high runoff in southwestern Norway. Here, concentrations of nitrate in the runoff are lower than for sites in Central Europe, but are higher than those in North America. The sites showing increases in NO3 also increased in Al. Further increases in nitrate as a mobile anion which may be due to decreased uptake in the watershed, will contribute to acidification in the same manner as sulfate.

Tagging experiments with yellow eel,Anguilla anguilla(L.), in brackish water in Norway

Abstract A total of 566 female yellow eels were tagged in Oslofjorden near Drøbak in 1983, 33 of these were recaptured during 1983–1987. An estimated instantaneous rate of fishing mortality from 0.024 to 0.079 is given. Tag loss and tagging mortality combined was estimated to be c. 17 % the first two months after tagging, and 22 % the first six months after tagging. Recaptures were made from 0 to 53 km from the site of first capture and release, and the distance between site of first capture and site of recapture increased with time.

Liming acidic waters in Norway: National policy and research and development

Liming acidic waters in Norway: National policy and research and development

Sami Rights to Land and Water in Norway

Sami Rights to Land and Water in Norway

A study of some karst waters in Norway Spatial variation in solute concentrations and equilibrium parameters in limestone dissolution

Lauritzen, S.-E. 1981. A study of some karst waters in Norway. Spatial variation in solute concentrations and equilibrium parameters in limestone dissolution. Norsk geogr. Tidsskr. Vol. 35, 1–19. Oslo. ISSN 0029-1951. 104 July and August samples of karst waters from Norway were analysed for their solute contents and for their aggresiveness towards calcium carbonate. The most important cations were Ca and Mg and sometimes Na, while bicarbonate was the most abundant counter-ion. Few waters were in equilibrium with calcium carbonate; they were either under- or supersaturated. There was a clear difference between karst systems above and below the local tree-line, and the investigated areas could be classified according to total hardness, aggressiveness, and altitude. Above the tree-line no supersaturated waters were found and the undersaturated ones saturated towards 80 ppm total hardness, due to aerial PCO2 control only. Below the tree-line, there was a hardness of up to 120 ppm with both under- and supersaturated spring waters, most probably caused by biogenic CO2 and proton supply. Because of low concentrations of some cationic inhibitors (Pb, Cu, Fe, Zn) in the samples, the disequilibrium of the waters probably reflects flow conditions in the karst aquifer rather than inhibition.

Variation in Scolex Morphology within and between Some Species of the Genus Proteocephalus Weinland (Cestoda, Proteocephala) with References to Strobilar Morphology

The scolex morphology of some Proteocephalus species from fish caught in fresh and brackish waters in Norway, as revealed by scanning and transmission electron microscopy and light microscopy, is described. The size and form of the fifth apical sucker proved to be a very pure character for identification. In spite of this, however, the scoleces of different species revealed specific characters which together with strobilar characters should be well suited for species discrimination and identification.

Erratum: Variations of the lorica in the genus Parafavella (Protozoa: Tintinnida) in northern Norway waters

Erratum: Variations of the lorica in the genus <i>Parafavella</i> (Protozoa: Tintinnida) in northern Norway waters

Alternative sources for acidification of river water in Norway

In a recent monograph, in Norwegian 1, the author discussed various reasons for acidification of river water and the geochemistry of a proton budget for southern Norway. A short resumé will be given in this article. It is demonstrated that the acid of precipitation during the last decades is only causing a minor part of the acidity of the brook, river and lake waters. The greater part of the acidity in the fresh waters is the result of ion-exchange reactions in raw humus in the soil profiles of the catchment areas. The increased amount of biomass and sub-fossil humus due to changes in agriculture, cattle farming and forestry is discussed.

Yersinia enterocolitica in small rodents from Norway, Sweden and Finland.

The purpose of the present investigation was to study the occurrence of Yersinia enterocolitica (Y.e.) among small rodents and shrews (Soricidae) from Norway, Sweden and Finland. During a period of one year beginning in the autumn of 1973, animals from seven localities were examined. Twenty-four strains of Y.e. were isolated from 551 small rodents. Isolations were made from six of the seven localities and from six of the nine small rodent species examined. Pooled faeces samples from 397 animals yielded 12 strains. Faeces from 154 small rodents were separately investigated: Twelve (8 per cent) of these animals harboured Y.e. No isolations were made from 52 shrews. Most of the strains showed antigenic relationship to O-serotypes previously reported from untreated drinking water in Norway. Two strains were antigenically related to O-serotype 3 but differed biochemically from the strains found in man and swine. The results indicate that Y.e. has a widespread distribution among small rodents in Norway, Sweden and Finland.