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Research and collections
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Research Division
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Contaminant Research
- Background
Background
The Department of Contaminant Research (DCR) has been involved with investigating environmental contaminants since the 1960s. The starting point for this research was the rapid decline in bird numbers detected around this time. The decrease was particularly noticeable in the agricultural landscape and both the marine and aquatic environments.
The number of grey seals decreased in the Baltic Sea, and the number of otters declined in lakes and rivers. It was suspected that these declines were the result of uncontrolled release of large quantities of toxic chemicals into the environment.
The Swedish Museum of Natural History maintains large collections of birds and mammals. Using these collections, it was possible to quickly examine these suspicions. Studies were carried out to examine where these toxic chemicals were found, as well as changes over time and geographical differences. It was possible to associate the large distribution of toxic chemicals in the environment to both known and unknown sources. The results from these studies were important for instigating measures to reduce the release of toxic chemicals into the environment.
In the 1960s, the Baltic Sea was already one of the most polluted marine environments in the world, and this dramatically impacted on the life there. Research focused on chlorinated contaminants and heavy metals, and the effects of these compounds on sensitive groups of animals. High levels of pollutants were causing pathological changes in marine top predators, such as grey seals and white tailed sea eagles. One important finding was that these substances were causing reproductive disturbances, which led to decreasing populations of these species. Terrestrial raptors, such as the peregrine falcon, were also strongly affected by pollutants. Thinning of egg shells and foetus deaths caused rapid declines in the populations.
The first monitoring program on environmental pollutants in Sweden was conducted in the 1970s. This was later developed into the program for environmental monitoring, expanding to include different areas that are now in use. Over the years, DCR has also collected and stored samples in a large environmental specimen bank (a large room-sized freezer kept at -20ºC). Much of the material kept in the environmental specimen bank consists of tissue samples from various species, but feathers, eggshells and some plant material are also represented. A systematic collection for the specimen bank is conducted each year.
Collection
The Swedish Museum of Natural History maintains large collections of birds and mammals. Using these collections, it was possible to quickly examine these suspicions. Studies were carried out to examine where these toxic chemicals were found, as well as changes over time and geographical differences. It was possible to associate the large distribution of toxic chemicals in the environment to both known and unknown sources. The results from these studies were important for instigating measures to reduce the release of toxic chemicals into the environment.
Effects
In the 1960s, the Baltic Sea was already one of the most polluted marine environments in the world, and this dramatically impacted on the life there. Research focused on chlorinated contaminants and heavy metals, and the effects of these compounds on sensitive groups of animals. High levels of pollutants were causing pathological changes in marine top predators, such as grey seals and white tailed sea eagles. One important finding was that these substances were causing reproductive disturbances, which led to decreasing populations of these species. Terrestrial raptors, such as the peregrine falcon, were also strongly affected by pollutants. Thinning of egg shells and foetus deaths caused rapid declines in the populations.
Research
The first monitoring program on environmental pollutants in Sweden was conducted in the 1970s. This was later developed into the program for environmental monitoring, expanding to include different areas that are now in use. Over the years, DCR has also collected and stored samples in a large environmental specimen bank (a large room-sized freezer kept at -20ºC). Much of the material kept in the environmental specimen bank consists of tissue samples from various species, but feathers, eggshells and some plant material are also represented. A systematic collection for the specimen bank is conducted each year.
Since the 1980s, yearly monitoring is carried out on:
- Marine top predators where the populations of grey seals and ringed seals in the Baltic Sea are monitored. Furthermore, the number and reproduction of harbour seals and white tailed sea eagles is monitored.
- Health status of Baltic seals
- Levels of contaminants in certain species representing different types of environments.
Gråsäl. Foto: Anna Roos