Ecotoxicology, method development and environmental monitoring
IRIS Biomiljø has expertise in the field of histology, the microscopic study of tissues of living organisms. Our scientists use histological methods in environmental monitoring as well as in laboratory experiments. Histological techniques, such as histochemistry and immuno histochemistry, make it possible to observe pathologic effects due to pollutants and other stress factors.
Histology, histopathology and genotoxicity: developing new techniques for use in biomonitoring (2006-2008)
Internal Strategic Program (ISP): The project focus on developing and establishing techniques for invertebrate histopathology and genotoxicity. Bivalves (e.g. Mytilus edulis, Pecten maximus, and Chlamys islandica) and crustaceans (Pandalus borealis) are the prioritized groups of animals, but methods will also be established for important marine fish species like the Atlantic cod and polar cod (Arctic).
Financing: The Research Council of Norway
ISP Microbiology:
Development of new tools and competence in microbiology and molecular biology for impact assessments of pollutants in the marine environment. (2009-2012)
The aim of this project is to develop an early warning system for oil pollution by analysing the microbial community and investigating gene expression levels in the marine environment. The impact of petroleum related compounds on the microbial population will be monitored in terms of changes in the population composition as well as changes in the expression of genes known to be involved in the degradation of these compounds
Financing: The Research Council of Norway
ISP - Effects of ocean acidification on invertebrate calcifying larvae (2009-2012)
Scientists are becoming increasingly concerned about yet another problem with the burning of fossil fuel. There is growing evidence that CO2 emissions are causing subtle changes to ocean chemistry in a process known as ocean acidification (Orr et al. 2005, Haymet 2008, Børsheim 2008, Doney et al. 2009). The oceans take up CO2 from the atmosphere which initiates a series of chemical reactions in seawater. It increases the hydrogen ion concentration (H+), lowers the pH and reduces the number of carbonate ions (CO32-) available (IPCC 2007).
The main objective in the proposed ISP is to build an exposure system for testing effects of ocean acidification on invertebrate larvae and test this system with several species of larvae. A large percentage of planktonic larvae die of natural causes. Any additional stress due to contaminants or ocean acidification could increase the total mortality. The small percentage of larvae that survive through the early life stages may be sensitive to additional environmental stress like contaminants or ocean acidification.
Financing: The Research Council of Norway
E-lab Ny-Ålesund
This project has established a remote environmental monitoring facility at Ny-Ålesund and validation with ecological experiments. The main objectives are as follows: To establish effective communication of biological sensor information between at least two laboratories remote from one another. To develop a repertoire of simple biological test methods that provide ecologically relevant information, the results of which can be evaluated in real time from a remote location. Develop the necessary technology to deploy such methods in the field.
EU-funded projects:
IRIS Biomiljø has coordinated and participated in several EU-funded projects on monitoring methodologies related to accidental oil and chemical spill at sea. Examples of such projects:
PRAGMA (2006-2007)
A pragmatic and integrated approach for the evaluation of environmental impact of oil and chemicals spilled at sea: input to European Guidelines. Simple, easy-to-perform methodologies based on the biomarker approach, that can indicate general health status and impairments, related to - for instance - reduced fitness of individuals. Biosensors evaluated as a first screening device, for their cost-effective use in biomonitoring.
RESPILL(2007-2008)
Response means to chemicals spilled at sea and environmental damage.-The project applies methodologies used in PRAGMA
ECORAID – Ecological Risk Assessment Information Data-mining and Comparison ( 2009)
The project is financed by the Research Council of Norway, - which participates in a European project consortium, financing research activities complementary to PRAGMA and RESPILL. ) The project addresses the question on how to best incorporate new and existing biotools into risk assessment methodologies for chemical spills.
Financing: NFR-Ampera
BEEP
IRIS - Biomiljø was coordinating the North Atlantic activity of the BEEP project: Biological Effects of Environmmental Pollution in Marine Coastal Ecosystems.
BEEP - Biological Effects of Environmmental Pollution
BEEP was a 3 year EU R&D programme with 30 participating laboratories. The aim was to improve and develop knowledge about biomarkers in marine organisms exposed to chemicals. The programme was to strengthen the quality of environmental data, in order to improve environmental understanding which can contribute to a better protection of the environment in the marine food chain. Three geographic areas were investigated, the Mediterranean, the Baltic Sea and the North Sea. IRIS was responsible for the co-ordination of the North Sea package.
The objective was to determine and standardise a set of biomarkers which can be used with different ecologically relevant species in the marine ecosystem. These can be implemented in national and international monitoring programmes. The methods are also to be used in environmental risk analysis to define acceptance criteria for exposure. The programme also contributed to the development of sensitive methods for monitoring in different environmental pollution scenarios.
EU-SMT fish Bile Reference material
Preparation and certification of fish bile reference materials for exposure monitoring of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in the aquatic environment. Together with collaboration partners i Netherland and Scotland, scientists at IRIS Biomiljø carried out a three year project where the objective was to improve and to standardize analytical methods for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in fish bile.
TRENDS Thematic network
The overall goal of TRENDS is to meet Europe’s future demands /needs for sustainable, secure, safe and clean energy supplies, by identifying major challenges within Health, Safety, Environment and Quality. IRIS was responsible for outlining state-of-the-art within Environmental Risk Assessment.
BE QUALM ring tests
Regular participation in European ring testing of central biomarker analyses (protein, EROD, CYP1A, VTG). This was last carried out in 2004/2005 and in progress for 2008. Ring testing has also been carried out which is not a part of BEQUALM with a French collaborator (GST, Catalase, MDA).
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