News
Less air pollution in the Nordic countries
2008.09.01 | News
Air emissions have been significantly reduced in the Nordic countries, according to a report published recently by the Nordic Council of Ministers. The report has been prepared by NERI-scientists.
Hazardous substances and classification of the environmental conditions in the Baltic Sea and the Kattegat
2008.07.10 | News
A new report from the Nordic Council of Ministers on comparisons of different Nordic approaches for marine assessments of hazardous substances argues that an ecotoxicological approach should be developed. The appproach should be based mainly on concentration levels in sediment and biota like mussels and fish and not on concentration levels in seawater.
Air pollution 2007: Continued exceedances for nitrogen dioxide and particulate matter
2008.07.08 | News
The concentrations of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and of particulate matter (PM10 ) exceeded the EU limits in 2007 at two Danish streets. The concentrations of most air pollutants have fallen considerably since the measurements started in 2007. This is revealed by the annual report from Danish Air Quality Monitoring Programme which the National Environmental Research Institute at University of Aarhus just has published.
Environmental monitoring at the cryolit mine in Ivittuut
2008.06.24 | News
This report evaluates the pollution in Arsuk Fjord at Ivittuut in South Greenland based on environmental studies conducted in 2007.
Most aerial emissions on the decline
2008.06.20 | News
The annual Danish inventory for 2006 shows a continued decline in acidifying gases and most other air pollutants. The exceptions are PAH’s and particulate matter which increase, primarily due to increased combustion of wood in the residential sector.
Emissions from gas engines
2008.06.13 | News
Liberalisation of the electricity market has led to Danish gas engine plants increasingly converting to the spot and regulating power markets. In order to offer regulating power, plants need to be able to start and stop the engines at the plants quickly. The liberalisation causes a considerable change of operation practice of the engines e.g. less full load operation hours /year. The project provides an inventory determining the scale of the emissions during the start and stop sequence as well a
Screening of phenolic substances in the Nordic environments
2008.06.03 | News
NERI has contributed to this Nordic study on the occurrence of different phenolic substances in the Nordic environment.
Projection of emissions of air pollutants
2008.05.23 | News
The Danish emissions of NOx in 2010 are expected to exceed Denmark ’s emission ceiling with about 7 %. A similar exceeding is projected for NMVOC, while SO2 and NH3 both are projected to be below the emission ceilings. This appears from a new NERI report.
Studying waterbirds in China
2008.05.23 | News
The Lesser White-fronted Goose is one of the fastest foraging herbivores on the planet, plucking grass at a rate of up to 5 pecks per second. This was only one of many lessons learned by enthusiastic Chinese scientists and students when NERI-professor Tony Fox held two waterfowl ecology courses in China at some of China's finest nature reserves.
Atmospheric nitrogen impacts the open oceans
2008.05.15 | News
Atmospheric anthropogenic nitrogen impacts the open oceans Impact of the increasing quantities of atmospheric anthropogenic fixed nitrogen can now be traced in the open oceans where they could account for up to a third of the ocean’s external (nonrecycled) nitrogen supply. This is enough to make an impact on our global climate. This is revealed in a new review-article in “Science” coauthored by NERI senior scientist Lise Lotte Sørensen.
Report from ten years of monitoring at Zackenberg Research Station, Northeast Greenland
2008.05.05 | News
The book 'High Arctic Ecosystem Dynamics in a changing climate. Ten years of monitoring at Zackenberg Research Station, Northeast Greenland.' is now available for sale.
NERI-scientist named "rising star" based on citations
2008.05.05 | News
Senior scientist, Paul Henning Krogh, NERI, has been highlighted as a "Rising Star" within the fied of Environnment & Ecology in a citation analysis. His current record includes 48 papers cited a total of 410 times between January 1, 1997 and December 31, 2007.
High density areas for harbour porpoises
2008.03.06 | News
Designating protected areas for harbour porpoises implies identifying areas of high porpoise density with particular focus on the distribution during the breeding season. This report collates all relevant data on movements and density of the harbour porpoises in Danish and adjacent waters in order to identify key habitats, i.e. areas with high density, for harbour porpoises in Denmark that may be useful when designating protected areas under the Habitats Directive.
After the Melt: the Arctic Ecological Perspective - A conference under the International Polar Year 2007-08
2008.02.19 | News
Over the last decades observational records have confirmed that the Arctic displays the most dramatic climatic changes. An international, high-profiled conference, “After the Melt” at the University of Aarhus calls attention to the rapid and dramatic ecological consequence of climate change in the Arctic.
Control of Pesticides 2006. Chemical Substances and Chemical Preparations
2008.02.06 | News
Four different groups of products covered by the pesticide regulation were included in the 2006 analytical chemical authority control.
Environmental Impact of the Lead-Zinc Mine at Mestersvig, East Greenland
2008.02.05 | News
The operation of the Mestersvig mine in the years 1956-63 has caused a significant pollution with lead and zinc on land, in the river Tunnelelv and in Kong Oscars Fjord.
Fuel consumption and emissions from navigation in Denmark
2008.01.25 | News
International sea transport from Danish ports contributes significantly to air pollution with CO2, NOx and SO2. Concerning CO2, emissions amount to 2.6 million ton adding an extra five per cent to the Danish CO2 emissions. For NOx and SO2 respectively the percentages are 34 and 167. None of these emissions are included in the Danish national inventories reported to the relevant UN bodies. This is shown in a new NERI-report. The report also documents a new and more accurate method to calculate em
A preliminary environmental impact assessment of mineral and hydrocarbon activities on the Nuussuaq peninsula
2008.01.18 | News
The Nuussuaq peninsula in Greenland is interesting for the mineral and hydrocarbon exploration. The area is also important for a local population of caribou, the Greenland white-fronted goose and rare plants. There is therefore risk of conflicts between nature conservation interests and mineral and oil activities and there is allso risk of pollution from the activities. A new report from The National Environmental Research Institute by Aarhus University , Denmark collects the existing knowledg
NERI scientist winner of international prize
2007.12.10 | News
Professor Tony Fox from NERI has been awarded the Luc Hoffmann Medal for excellence in wetland research for his contributions to the study of waterfowl ecology and physiology.
Danish Environment Prize to praise Baltic Nest Institute
2007.11.23 | News
The Aase og Ejnar Danielsens Fond Environment Prize 2007 will be awarded to the Danish scientist, dr. scient. Bo Riemann at an award ceremony on November 26. at the foundation’s domicil in Kgs. Lyngby.
New model to describe dispersal of air pollution from highways
2007.11.20 | News
During 2003-2005, the National Environmental Research Institute (NERI) developed a prototype highway air pollution model. This model is based on the Danish regulatory air pollution model OML which originally was developed for use with stationary air pollution sources. The model has now been adapted for modelling air pollution from motorway traffic. At present, the model is a prototype model, but NERI NERI is working on further development of the model.
NERI scientist awarded for work on particulate air pollution
2007.11.09 | News
Senior scientist Finn Palmgren, Danish National Environmental Research Institute (NERI), University of Aarhus , has been awarded the Aerosologist Award 2007 by the Nordic Society for Aerosol Research, NOSA.
Triclosan, Resorcinol and m-Cresol found in the Nordic environment
2007.11.06 | News
A Nordic screening study has found that resorcinol, triclosan and m-cresol can be found in aquatic recipients close to leachate water from landfills or emissions from point sources like sewage treatment plants and industry. Bronopol, which was also included in the study, was not found at levels above the detection limits.
NERI will double the amount of Research Professors
2007.11.02 | News
As a part of a new strategic initiative, the National Environmental Research Institute (NERI) at University of Aarhus will double the amount of Research Professors. It is NERI’s intention that each of the 7 new full professors will act as driving forces in the scientific development.
Danish emissions of greenhouse gases 1990-2005
2007.10.12 | News
This report is Denmark’s National Inventory Report, for submission to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), for 15 April 2007. For the National Total CO2 Equivalent Emissions changes are small compared to last year's report.
Climate change puts severe pressure on North Atlantic seabirds
2007.10.11 | News
Food shortages probably due to large-scale, climate-related ecological changes have caused a wide-ranging collapse in reproduction for at number of seabird species in the southern part of the North Atlantic (Iceland, Faroe Islands, Scotland, W Norway) over the last four years.
New finding: Enhanced availability of hydrophobic organic chemicals by binding to dissolved organic matter
2007.10.10 | News
It is usually believed that the biological availability of hydrophobic organic chemicals decreases when they bind to various types of dissolved organic matter. This is challenged, however, by new findings of a NERI team of scientists showing that the opposite may also be true.
Control of pesticides
2007.09.17 | News
All samples were examined for the content of the respective active ingredients for the content of OPEO and NPEO except the rodenticides. Nine samples out of twenty-one contained bromadiolone which did not comply with the accepted tolerance limits with respect to the content of the active ingredient as specified in Danish Statutory Order on pesticides. None of the examined samples contained OPEO, but two of the samples contained minor concentrations of NPEO. On one product, the content of active
Control of pesticides
2007.09.14 | News
All samples were examined for the content of the respective active ingredients for the content of OPEO and NPEO except the rodenticides. Nine samples out of twenty-one contained bromadiolone which did not comply with the accepted tolerance limits with respect to the content of the active ingredient as specified in Danish Statutory Order on pesticides. None of the examined samples contained OPEO, but two of the samples contained minor concentrations of NPEO. On one product, the content of active
New analysis: Danish ammonia emissions expected to meet international requirements
2007.09.06 | News
The Danish emissions of ammonia are expected to fall enough in the years to come that Denmark will be able to meet the requirements of the 1999 Gothenburg protocol to Abate Acidification, Eutrophication and Ground-level Ozone under the Convention on Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution and the EU-Directive on National Emission Ceilings. This is shown in a new report from NERI.
Graduate training course: Geo-visualization in Environmental Research
2007.07.17 | News
The international training course Geo-visualization in Environmental Research is now open for on-line registration until 31. August. The course will be held in Wageningen, the Netherlands on 10-14. December 2007.
Climate change: Seven European environmental research centres propose a joint initiative
2007.07.17 | News
Seven of Europe’s large environmental research organisations, united in the Partnership for European Environmental Research (PEER), will mobilise their unique combination of skills and capacities to provide novel perspectives on mitigation and adaptation in relation to climate change. With 4700 staff and a combined annual budget of 360 million euros PEER can contribute significantly to integrated solutions that are compatible with sustainable development.
Doctor's degree awarded to Martin Søndergaard
2007.06.28 | News
Senior scientist Martin Søndergaard, Dept. of Freshwater Ecology at Denmark’s National Environmental Research Institute, University of Aarhus has been awarded the doctor’s degree in natural sciences.
Rapid advancement of spring in the High Arctic
2007.06.19 | News
Global warming has advanced the onset of spring with more than a month for several species in the high arctic part of NE Greenland. This is documented by comprehensive ecological observations at Zackenberg Research Station over the last ten years 1996-2006.
Strategic Environmental Impact Assessment of petroleum activities in the waters west of Disko, Greenland
2007.06.18 | News
Exploration, development and production of petroleum in the sea west of Greenlands’ island Disko presents a number of differentiated risks for the environment and organisms in the area. Oil spills during the exploration as well as during an established production represents by far the most serious risk for the environment.
Decreasing impact from goldmining
2007.05.22 | News
Contamination from the gold mine in the Nalunaq area, Natortalik municipality in S Greenland, has levelled off both spacially and in terms of impact on plants and animals.
External costs of air pollution
2007.05.15 | News
NERI has developed an integrated environmental economic-atmospheric model system for assessing the health effects from air pollution.
Comprehensive synthesis of marine research in Young Sound, NE Greenland
2007.03.27 | News
NERI has contributed to the book 'Carbon cycling in Arctic marine ecosystems: Case study Young Sound'.
Carbon-energy taxation contributed to economic growth
2007.03.19 | News
When taxes are introduced on energy and CO2 emissions, and the income is used to reduce other taxes, a positive effect is achieved both for the environment and for the economy. Economists from Cambridge Econometrics have, in an EU research project coordinated by the National Environmental Research Institute, University of Aarhus, shown that the ’double dividend’ theory can no longer be rejected in practice.
New book on conservation of waterbirds around the world
2007.03.12 | News
'Waterbirds around the world' is a unique overview of the status of the world’s waterbirds at the start of a new millennium.
International workshop on conservation status assessment, reporting and monitoring, Roskilde 25-27 April 2007
2007.03.05 | News
This workshop will examine the ways that N & NW Europe EU member states are undertaking assessments and associated reporting and monitoring of species’ and habitats’ conservation status for Natura2000 reporting in 2007.
OML: Review of model formulation
2007.02.05 | News
The OML model was reviewed in 2005-06, and model performance was evaluated with more experimental data than previously. The outcome of the process is a revised model.
Danish emission inventories for mobile sources
2007.02.01 | News
This report explains the parts of the Danish inventories related to road transport and other mobile sources. Emission results for a number of pollutants are shown from 1985 to 2004.
Danish emissions of greenhouse gases expected to decrease in the period up to 2030
2007.01.17 | News
NERI has projected the Danish greenhouse gases 2030 using basic scenarios which include the estimated effects on Denmark’s greenhouse gas emissions of policies and measures implemented until October 2006 (‘with measures’ projections). The total emissions in ‘2010’ are estimated to decrease by about 2 % in the period 1990 to 2010 and to decrease by another 10 % 2010 to 2030.
Annual Danish emissions
2006.12.21 | News
This report is Denmark’s Annual Emissions Inventory Report due May 2006 to the UNECE-Convention on Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution (LRTAP).
Analysing and synthesising European legislation in relation to water
2006.12.21 | News
The report introduces the ecosystem based approach to integrated natural resource management, which is behind the European Water Framework Directive, and how former European legislation on water is integrated into this framework.
Succes with reduction of dioxin emissions
2006.12.20 | News
The Danish authorities have had succes in reducing the atmospheric emissions of dioxins. Since 1990, the total Danish emission have been reduced to one third.
Modelling Cost-efficient Reductions of Nutrient Loads to the Baltic Sea
2006.12.08 | News
A new report from NERI presents a model to calculate cost-efficient reductions of nutrient loads to the Baltic Sea.
Less food for hares in the summer
2006.12.05 | News
Despite considerable research efforts populations of the European brown hare (Lepus europaeus) have been declining throughout Europe since the early 1960s. The hypothesised causal factors for the decline are numerous and act via resource availability, reproduction and survival. Based on a systematic review of the literature the potential causes are discussed, a hypothesis for the underlying cause of the decline is suggested in a new NERI report, as are future research priorities.
Danish Environment Newsletter
2006.11.21 | News
Newsletter from the Danish Ministry of the Environment