ICP Waters International Cooperative Programme Assessment and Monitoring Effects of Air Pollution on Rivers and Lakes Item 4 Recent results and updating of scientific and tecnical knowledge Joint Report Berit Kvaeven, Climate and Pollution Agency, Norway

Programme aims Assess the degree and geographic extent of the impact of atmospheric pollution, in particular acidification, on surface waters Collect information to evaluate dose/response relationships Describe and evaluate long-term trends and variation in aquatic chemistry and biota attributable to atmospheric pollution

Status of participation October 2009 24 countries

. The 25th meeting of the Programme TF, Burlington, Canada, 8-10 October 2009 Attended by 36 experts from 16 Parties Reports from Programme activities 2008/2009 on major topics

Reports since last meeting: ICPW 97/09: An assessment of Hg in the aquatic environment related to long-range transported air pollution in Europe and North America ICPW 99/09: Biological intercalibration ICPW 100/10: Proceedings from the 25th Task Force meeting ICPW 101/10:Nutrient enrichment effects of atmospheric N deposition on biology in oligotrophic surface waters – a review ICP W 102/10: Chemical intercomparison 0923

Current work 2010 Report on nutrient effects of nitrogen deposition to surface waters Draft report on trends in surface water chemistry and biota up to 2008 due to reductions in S- and N-deposition Revision of The ICPW manual Biological intercalibration Chemical intercomparison Common WP items Cooperations with other programmes and participations in relevant meetings and WS

Revising the ICP Waters Programme manual and update with new methods Present manual was developed in the early days of the ICP Waters programme Need for revisïon and to include methods for metals and POPs 2007 - started revision with a work shop 2008 - discussions 2009 - more discussions 2010 - final discussion at TF meeting and ready for publishing

Chemical Intercomparison 24th time determination of major ions and heavy metals 65 laboratories from 25 countries participated intercomparison will continue with samples with low concentrations, as this is the most relevant water quality for the work in the ICP Waters monitoring programme.

Biological intercalibration The 2009 biological intercalibration of invertebrate fauna included invertebrates from 6 laboratories in 5 countries. Identification of the individuals and species was good 10 laboratories participate on a regular basis in the intercalibration. Each laboratory participate on average every third year in the intercalibration exercise.

Future work Continue to support the work under the various protocols Continue to follow the effects from S and N on water chemistry and biota (acidification) In particular to evaluate the links between aquatic biodiversity and air pollution Study the effects of nutrient N on aquatic ecosystems Follow the effects of deposition of heavy metals in aquatic ecosystems Follow the effects of deposition of POPs in aquatic ecosystems Consider all effects in the view of climate change Continue to support and encourage national monitoring programmes Include new countries Contribute and harmonize work towards other Conventions and Directives

Welcome to ICP Waters 26th Task Force meeting Helsinki, Finland 4-6 October 2010