Julia Giebichenstein

• Giebichenstein, Julia; Warner, Nicholas Alexander; Routti, Heli Anna Irmeli; Harju, Mikael; Varpe, Øystein & Gabrielsen, Geir Wing [Vis alle 7 forfattere av denne artikkelen] (2026). Accumulation patterns of polychlorinated alkanes in an Arctic marine food web. Environmental Research. ISSN 0013-9351. 299. doi: 10.1016/j.envres.2026.124360. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv Vis sammendrag

  Polychlorinated alkanes (PCAs), otherwise known as chlorinated paraffins, are contaminants of emerging Arctic concern where our understanding of their occurrence and trophic transfer in Arctic food webs remains limited. To investigate biomagnification potential of PCAs, we analyzed short-chain PCAs: C10-C13 and medium-chain PCAs-C14-17 in three Arctic species: polar cod (Boreogadus saida), ringed seal (Pusa hispida), and polar bear (Ursus maritimus) and Subarctic capelin (Mallotus villosus) samples collected from the northern Barents Sea in 2017 and 2021. PCAs-C10-13 concentrations were low, but detectable in all species, while PCAs-C14-17 concentrations were mainly below detection limits in the mammals. PCAs did not biomagnify, as the lowest concentrations were found in polar bear (0.7 ng g−1 lw) and the highest in capelin (56.9 ng g−1 lw). The PCA homologue profiles were similar among Arctic species, with PCAs-C10-13 dominating in polar cod and marine mammals, which may suggest a contribution from long-range atmospheric transport. In contrast, PCAs-C14-17 were most abundant in the Subarctic capelin, likely reflecting a different exposure. Despite differing PCAs-C14-17 concentrations among the two fish species, their PCAs-C14-17 homologue profile was similar, indicating uniform global production trends. Subarctic capelin is increasingly being preyed upon by Arctic predators and may facilitate the biological transport of PCAs-C14-17 into Arctic ecosystems. These findings suggest that climate-driven shifts in species distribution may have the potential to alter contaminant exposure pathways in Arctic marine food webs.

• Giebichenstein, Julia; Andersen, Tom; Varpe, Øystein; Gabrielsen, Geir W. & Borgå, Katrine (2024). Little seasonal variation of mercury concentrations and biomagnification in an Arctic pelagic food web. Progress in Oceanography. ISSN 0079-6611. 231. doi: 10.1016/j.pocean.2024.103381. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv Vis sammendrag

  Despite numerous studies on mercury in Arctic biota, data from inaccessible, ice-covered regions − especially during the polar night and late winter − remain scarce. This scarcity results in poor understanding of the seasonal dynamics of mercury within the food web. From the Northern Barents Sea, we quantified total mercury and the dietary descriptors δ15N and δ13C as long-term dietary signals (weeks to months) in biota to a) investigate the seasonal pelagic food web structure, b) seasonality in total mercury concentration, c) and its biomagnification in the food web. Mercury and dietary descriptors were analyzed in copepods, macrozooplankton (krill, amphipods, arrow worms and pteropods) and the fishes, Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua), polar cod (Boreogadus saida) and capelin (Mallotus villosus) during spring, late summer, early,and late winter. Seasonal changes were observed in δ15N values in some macrozooplankton and capelin, and some seasonal variation was observed across the food web with depleted δ13C values in spring and enriched δ13C values in late summer. Mercury concentrations were lower (range: 2.49 ng/g dw in the krill Thyssanossa sp. – 70.55 ng/g dw in the pelagic pteropod Clione limacina) than reported from other parts of the Arctic. We found a positive linear relationship between mercury and relative trophic position represented by δ15N, i.e., biomagnification, during all seasons, except in early winter. As Clione limacina likely had different turnover rates for mercury and stable isotopes resulting in low δ15N, but high mercury concentrations in early winter, compared to the other species in the food web, the pteropod was omitted from the regression. By omitting Clione limacina, biomagnification was similar across all seasons (R2adj = 0.45). Thus, we saw clear mercury biomagnification with consistent and little seasonal variation in this high Arctic marine food web despite large seasonal fluctuations in abiotic and biotic conditions.

• Yadetie, Fekadu; Brun, Nadja Rebecca; Giebichenstein, Julia; Dmoch, Katarzyna; Hylland, Ketil & Borgå, Katrine [Vis alle 8 forfattere av denne artikkelen] (2022). Transcriptome responses in copepods Calanus finmarchicus, Calanus glacialis and Calanus hyperboreus exposed to phenanthrene and benzo[a]pyrene. Marine Genomics. ISSN 1874-7787. 65, s. 1–13. doi: 10.1016/j.margen.2022.100981. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv Vis sammendrag

  Arctic and sub-arctic pelagic organisms can be exposed to effluents and spills from offshore petroleum-related activities and thus it is important to understand how they respond to crude oil related contaminants such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). The copepod species Calanus finmarchicus, Calanus glacialis and Calanus hyperboreus represent key links in the arctic marine food web. We performed a transcriptome analysis of the three species exposed to phenanthrene (Phe) and benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) representing low and high molecular weight PAHs, respectively. Differential expression of several genes involved in many cellular pathways was observed after 72 h exposure to Phe (0.1 μM) and BaP (0.1 μM). In C. finmarchicus and C. glacialis, the exposure resulted in up-regulation of genes encoding enzymes in xenobiotic biotransformation, particularly the phase II cytosolic sulfonation system that include 3′-phosphoadenosine 5′-phosphosulfate synthase (PAPSS) and sulfotransferases (SULTs). The sulfonation pathway genes were more strongly induced by BaP than Phe in C. finmarchicus and C. glacialis but were not affected in C. hyperboreus. However, a larger number of genes and pathways were modulated in C. hyperboreus by the PAHs including genes encoding xenobiotic biotransformation and lipid metabolism enzymes, suggesting stronger responses in this species. The results suggest that the cytosolic sulfonation is a major phase II conjugation pathway for PAHs in C. finmarchicus and C. glacialis. Some of the biotransformation systems affected are known to be involved in metabolism of endogenous compounds such as ecdysteroids, which may suggest potential interference with physiological and developmental processes of the copepod species.

• Borgå, Katrine; McKinney, Melissa A.; Routti, Heli Anna Irmeli; Fernie, Kim J.; Giebichenstein, Julia & Hallanger, Ingeborg G. [Vis alle 7 forfattere av denne artikkelen] (2022). The influence of global climate change on accumulation and toxicity of persistent organic pollutants and chemicals of emerging concern in Arctic food webs. Environmental Science: Processes & Impacts. ISSN 2050-7887. 24(10), s. 1544–1576. doi: 10.1039/d1em00469g. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv Vis sammendrag

  This review summarizes current understanding of how climate change-driven physical and ecological processes influence the levels of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) and contaminants of emerging Arctic concern (CEACs) in Arctic biota and food webs. The review also highlights how climate change may interact with other stressors to impact contaminant toxicity, and the utility of modeling and newer research tools in closing knowledge gaps on climate change-contaminant interactions. Permafrost thaw is influencing the concentrations of POPs in freshwater ecosystems. Physical climate parameters, including climate oscillation indices, precipitation, water salinity, sea ice age, and sea ice quality show statistical associations with POPs concentrations in multiple Arctic biota. Northward range-shifting species can act as biovectors for POPs and CEACs into Arctic marine food webs. Shifts in trophic position can alter POPs concentrations in populations of Arctic species. Reductions in body condition are associated with increases in levels of POPs in some biota. Although collectively understudied, multiple stressors, including contaminants and climate change, may act to cumulatively impact some populations of Arctic biota. Models are useful for predicting the net result of various contrasting climate-driven processes on POP and CEAC exposures; however, for some parameters, especially food web changes, insufficient data exists with which to populate such models. In addition to the impact of global regulations on POP levels in Arctic biota, this review demonstrates that there are various direct and indirect mechanisms by which climate change can influence contaminant exposure, accumulation, and effects; therefore, it is important to attribute POP variations to the actual contributing factors to inform future regulations and policies. To do so, a broad range of habitats, species, and processes must be considered for a thorough understanding and interpretation of the consequences to the distribution, accumulation, and effects of environmental contaminants. Given the complex interactions between climate change, contaminants, and ecosystems, it is important to plan for long-term, integrated pan-Arctic monitoring of key biota and ecosystems, and to collect ancillary data, including information on climate-related parameters, local meteorology, ecology, and physiology, and when possible, behavior, when carrying out research on POPs and CEACs in biota and food webs of the Arctic.

• Bender, Morgan Lizabeth; Giebichenstein, Julia; Teisrud, Ragnar; Laurent, Jennifer Malica; Frantzen, Marianne & Meador, James P. [Vis alle 11 forfattere av denne artikkelen] (2021). Combined effects of crude oil exposure and warming on eggs and larvae of an arctic forage fish. Scientific Reports. 11. doi: 10.1038/s41598-021-87932-2. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv Vis sammendrag

  Climate change, along with environmental pollution, can act synergistically on an organism to amplify adverse effects of exposure. The Arctic is undergoing profound climatic change and an increase in human activity, resulting in a heightened risk of accidental oil spills. Embryos and larvae of polar cod (Boreogadus saida), a key Arctic forage fish species, were exposed to low levels of crude oil concurrently with a 2.3 °C increase in water temperature. Here we show synergistic adverse effects of increased temperature and crude oil exposure on early life stages documented by an increased prevalence of malformations and mortality in exposed larvae. The combined effects of these stressors were most prevalent in the first feeding larval stages despite embryonic exposure, highlighting potential long-term consequences of exposure for survival, growth, and reproduction. Our findings suggest that a warmer Arctic with greater human activity will adversely impact early life stages of this circumpolar forage fish.

• Gopakumar, Anjali; Giebichenstein, Julia; Raskhozheva, Evgeniia & Borgå, Katrine (2021). Mercury in Barents Sea fish in the Arctic polar night: Species and spatial comparison. Marine Pollution Bulletin. ISSN 0025-326X. 169, s. 1–8. doi: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2021.112501. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv Vis sammendrag

  Although mercury (Hg) in polar ecosystems has been well-studied, there is little information on Hg in the Arctic during low-productivity seasons like the polar night. We quantified Hg concentrations, carbon, and nitrogen stable isotope ratios (δ13C and δ15N) in the muscle of polar cod (Boreogadus saida), Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua), and capelin (Mallotus villosus) sampled from the North-West and North-East Barents Sea during November–December 2019. Hg concentrations varied between species (14–175 ng/g dw), dependent on region, but were well below the toxicity threshold for fish health and the EU-accepted threshold for human consumption. Interspecific differences were observed only in the North-East region, with Atlantic cod having highest Hg concentrations, explained by its larger size, higher trophic position and benthopelagic feeding. Spatial differences in polar cod with higher Hg concentrations in the North-East than the North-West were likely due to a combination of differences in food web structure and Hg exposure.

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• Giebichenstein, Julia; Warner, Nicholas Alexander; Harju, Mikael; Routti, Heli Anna Irmeli; Varpe, Øystein & Gabrielsen, Geir W. [Vis alle 7 forfattere av denne artikkelen] (2025). SHORT- AND MEDIUM-CHAIN CHLORINATED PARAFFINS IN AN ARCTIC MARINE FOOD CHAIN. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv
• Giebichenstein, Julia; Dupont, Nicolas; Harju, Mikael; Varpe, Øystein; Gabrielsen, Geir W. & Andersen, Tom [Vis alle 7 forfattere av denne artikkelen] (2025). Seasonal Insights into Pollutant Accumulation and Biomagnification in an Arctic Marine Food Web. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv
• Ziegler, Amanda; Jørgensen, Lis Lindal; Bluhm, Bodil Annikki Ulla Barbro; Giebichenstein, Julia; Borgå, Katrine & Freitas, Thaise Ricardo de (2023). The effect of ice-free summer conditions on benthic food web structure in the Barents Sea. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv Vis sammendrag

  Reduced Arctic sea-ice cover has been shown to alter phytoplankton community composition and reduce the magnitude of vertical flux, thereby reducing the strength of pelagic-benthic coupling. It is predicted that Arctic shelf ecosystems, like the Barents Sea, will transition into sub-polar-like ecosystems under future climatic conditions. However, few studies have provided a benthic perspective to the question of how ice-free conditions in the Arctic will affect food web structure. In this study, we aim to test whether ice-free summer conditions in the Barents Sea and adjacent Nansen Basin alter benthic food web structure and the strength of pelagic benthic coupling. To do so, we used bulk stable isotopes of carbon and nitrogen measured in food sources and benthic consumers, demersal fish, and zooplankton collected during summers with contrasting sea-ice conditions: August 2018 – low sea-ice extent and August 2019 – high sea-ice extent. We compared benthic food web structure across three oceanographically distinct regions from the sea-ice free central Barents Sea shelf and the seasonally ice-free northern Barents Sea shelf to the slope extending into the Nansen Basin. The results of this work will not only improve our understanding of the impact that Arctic sea-ice loss has on benthic communities but provide additional insight to the resiliency of Arctic benthic food webs.

• Borgå, Katrine; McKinney, Melissa A.; Giebichenstein, Julia; Dinh, van Khuong; Gravelle, Amalie Marie Bårnås & Heuschele, Jan David [Vis alle 10 forfattere av denne artikkelen] (2023). The influence of climate change on accumulation and toxicity of pollutants in Arctic marine food webs. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv
• Giebichenstein, Julia; Harju, Mikael; Varpe, Øystein; Gabrielsen, Geir Wing; Andersen, Tom & Borgå, Katrine (2023). Across the Seasons: Persistent Organic Pollutants in an Arctic Pelagic Food Web. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv
• Giebichenstein, Julia; Warner, Nicholas Alexander; Routti, Heli Anna Irmeli; Harju, Mikael; Varpe, Øystein & Andersen, Tom [Vis alle 8 forfattere av denne artikkelen] (2023). Emerging contaminant accumulation in an Arctic marine food web. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv
• Borgå, Katrine; McKinney, Melissa A.; Routti, Heli Anna Irmeli; Fernie, Kim J.; Giebichenstein, Julia & Hallanger, Ingeborg G. [Vis alle 7 forfattere av denne artikkelen] (2022). The influence of global climate change on accumulation and toxicity of persistent organic pollutants and chemicals of emerging concern in Arctic food webs. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv
• Borgå, Katrine; McKinney, Melissa A.; Routti, Heli Anna Irmeli; Fernie, Kim J.; Giebichenstein, Julia & Hallanger, Ingeborg G. [Vis alle 7 forfattere av denne artikkelen] (2022). The influence of global climate change on accumulation and toxicity of persistent organic pollutants and chemicals of emerging concern in Arctic food webs. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv
• Yadetie, Fekadu; Brun, Nadja Rebecca; Giebichenstein, Julia; Hylland, Ketil; Borgå, Katrine & Karlsen, Odd André [Vis alle 7 forfattere av denne artikkelen] (2022). Transcriptome responses in copepods Calanus finmarchicus, Calanus glacialis and Calanus hyperboreus exposed to phenanthrene and benzo[a]pyrene. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv Vis sammendrag

  With the warming Arctic allowing more human activities, the marine arctic ecosystems are increasingly at risk of exposure to pollutants from offshore petroleum-related industries. Thus, it is important to understand how arctic and sub-arctic pelagic organisms respond to crude oil-related contaminants such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). The copepod species Calanus finmarchicus, Calanus glacialis and Calanus hyperboreus are the most abundant pelagic zooplankton in the northern Barents Sea and represent key links in the arctic marine food web. The three species were sampled during a research cruise on the Norwegian vessel RV Kronprins Haakon in August 2019 and subsequently exposed onboard at 3.5 ˚C (C. finmarchicus and C. glacialis), and 1.5 ˚C (C. hyperboreus) for 72 h to phenanthrene (Phe; 0.1 µM) and benzo[a]pyrene (BaP; 0.1 µM), representing low and high molecular weight PAHs, respectively. Global transcriptome (RNA-seq) analysis revealed differential expression of several genes involved in many cellular pathways. In C. finmarchicus and C. glacialis, the PAH exposure resulted in up-regulation of genes encoding enzymes in xenobiotic biotransformation processes, particularly the phase II cytosolic sulfonation system that includes 3'-phosphoadenosine 5'-phosphosulfate synthase (PAPSS) and sulfotransferases (SULTs). The sulfonation pathway genes were more strongly induced by BaP than Phe in C. finmarchicus and C. glacialis, but were not affected in C. hyperboreus. However, a larger number of genes and pathways were modulated by the PAHs in C. hyperboreus including genes encoding xenobiotic biotransformation and lipid metabolism enzymes, suggesting stronger responses to crude oil exposure in this high-Arctic species. The results suggest that cytosolic sulfonation is a major phase II conjugation pathway for PAHs in C. finmarchicus and C. glacialis. Further, the overall results from the transcriptome analysis provide insights into mechanisms involved in PAH response and metabolism in the three Calanus species most dominant in the region. Funding: The study was funded by the Research Council of Norway, through the Nansen Legacy Project (276730).

• Giebichenstein, Julia; Warner, Nicholas Alexander; Varpe, Øystein; Andersen, Tom; Gabrielsen, Geir W. & Borgå, Katrine (2022). Chlorinated paraffins in polar cod and capelin from the Barents Sea. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv
• Giebichenstein, Julia; Warner, Nicholas Alexander; Varpe, Øystein; Gabrielsen, Geir W.; Andersen, Tom & Borgå, Katrine (2022). Chlorinated paraffins in Polar cod and capelin from the Barents Sea during the Arctic spring bloom. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv
• Giebichenstein, Julia (2021). How do Arctic animals stay warm? Fulltekst i vitenarkiv
• Giebichenstein, Julia (2021). An Arctic expedition. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv
• Giebichenstein, Julia (2021). The Arctic's invisible pollution. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv
• Giebichenstein, Julia (2021). What does an Arctic scientist do? Fulltekst i vitenarkiv
• Giebichenstein, Julia (2021). Arctic island isolation. universitetet i oslo. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv
• Giebichenstein, Julia; Gopakumar, Anjali; Varpe, Øystein; Andersen, Tom; Gabrielsen, Geir W. & Borgå, Katrine (2020). Seasonal Variation of Mercury in an Arctic Marine Food Web. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv
• Giebichenstein, Julia (2020). Skype a scientist - Arctic Biology. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv
• Giebichenstein, Julia & Borgå, Katrine (2019). Contaminants, climate change and the Arctic – how do multiple stressors affect bioaccumulation processes in a sensible food web? Fulltekst i vitenarkiv
• Reigstad, Marit; Gabrielsen, Tove M.; Amargant-Arumi, Marti; Amundsen, Rita; Bluhm, Bodil & Bodur, Yasemin V. [Vis alle 37 forfattere av denne artikkelen] (2022). Seasonal Cruise Q3: Cruise Report. Septentrio Academic Publishing. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv Vis sammendrag

  The Nansen Legacy Q3 cruise, 5-27 August 2019, initiated the seasonal investigations of the Nansen Legacy transect. The transect represent an environmental gradient going through the northern Barents Sea, and included 7 process stations (P1-P7) lasting 6-53 hrs. CTD stations were taken to increase the hydrographic resolution on the transect. The program included measurements and sampling from the atmosphere, sea ice, ocean and sea floor. Data collected ranged from physical observations, chemical, biological and geological data collection, and the aim was to link observations and measurements to improve our understanding of the systems involving both climate, human impacts and the ecosystems. Deployment of moorings and gliders extended the observational capacity in time and space, outside the cruise period.

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