Reasons and solutions for the dioxin problem in the Baltic Sea

Research project The project BalticPOPs focuses on the dioxin problem in the Baltic region. The scientists will investigate the reasons for the high dioxin concentrations in Baltic fish and the sources for dioxins in air.

The Baltic Sea pollution problem is likely linked to a multitude of current and historical activities, and the processes governing Persistent Organic Pollutants (POP) fate and bioaccumulation are complex. To manage the POP pollution problem, a better understanding of the complex interactions of the different processes is required. Our approach is therefore multidisciplinary, including experts from many research fields. Previous and new knowledge will be combined and evaluated in a system synthesis, for which the multimedia fate and transport model POPCYCLING-Baltic will be used.

Project overview

Project period:

2009-12-01 – 2011-11-30

Funding

Finansår , 2010, 2011

huvudman: Karin Wiberg, UmU, finansiär: Swedish EPA, y2010: 3500, y2011: 2500,

Participating departments and units at Umeå University

Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science and Technology

Research subject

Chemical sciences, Environmental chemistry, Environmental sciences

Project members

Stellan Marklund Professor emeritus

Email

Project description

BalticPOPs is a 2-year research program funded by the Swedish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA). Scientists from 8 universities and institutes in Sweden, Finland and Russia are participating. The program is managed by the Department of Chemistry, Umeå University.

The work is organised into three work packages:
1) Fish Exposure: Why are dioxin levels of fat fish from the Baltic Sea so high?
2) Inventory of atmospheric emission sources for dioxins and other POPs
3) Synthesis