Expressions of Intent for International Polar Year 2007-2008 Activities

Expression of Interest Details

PROPOSAL INFORMATION

CANADA #260: A circumpolar study of contaminants in ringed seals  (Circumpolar contaminants in seals)

Outline
Ringed seals have proven to be excellent biomonitors of contamination of the arctic marine environment. Previous studies on persistent organic pollutants (POPs) in seals based on samples collected in 1995-1998 demonstrated geographical trends in exposure of seals collected in Alaska, the Canadian arctic, Greenland and Svalbard which allowed inferences to be made regarding sources (Muir et al ES&T 2000). Similar recent work has been done with mercury and other metals (Riget et al. 2005). Global atmospheric and oceanic pathways and processes conspire to deliver persistent semi-volatile organic contaminants to the arctic and in some cases concentrations e.g. in seawater and biota, are higher than in mid-latitude locations. With the ratification of the Stockholm POPs protocol the Arctic has become a strategic location with which to monitor global contaminants. Ringed seals as top predators, which are relatively accessible due to hunting by indigenous people and, so far as is known, not threatened in terms of population numbers, are an excellent species to examine the presence of new biomagnifying contaminants. This study would follow up previous work by resampling the same populations with the help of seal biologists in circumpolar countries and extending the work to populations in the Russian arctic. The project does not currently exist but could be put together with a network of interested scientists in AK/USA, Nunavut/Canada, Greenland/DK, Norway, and Russia. Ringed seals are, of course, indicators of ecosystem health and environmental change such as changes in sea ice. The study would complement other marine mammal programs envisaged under IPY, or ongoing in each country, which are focussed, broadly speaking, on ringed seal ecology. It would also link to human health and social integrity study related to traditional food use, diet and contaminants. The project would use a common protocol for sample collection (timing, tissue type, preservation) and analysis. Chemical analysis would be done in multiple labs linked by a common quality assurance protocol. Some analyses might be done by a single specialized lab. Tissues would be archived for future chemical analyses. The results would be interpreted in terms of temporal trends (compared to previous studies on the same populations), spatial trends (especially of new contaminants) and potential for effects on seals or their predators including human exposure.

What significant advance(s) in relation to the IPY themes and targets can be anticipated from this project?
This study would provide data on spatial and temporal trends of new and legacy contaminants in the arctic marine food web (Th6). The results will be used to infer sources and pathways of contamination and the extent of global distribution of the contaminants. It would link with studies (some IPY proposals) on ringed seal ecology and responses to climate change (Th 1 and 2) and marine food web biomagnification across the arctic. It will link with studies of traditional food use, diet and contaminants in people (Th 6) and on other circumpolar top predators e.g. arctic seabirds.

What international collaboration is involved in this project?
A list of possible collaborators and organizations is included below. Collaborators from 5 or 6 circumpolar countries would be involved. Many have worked together previously on contaminants in seals and also on Arctic Monitoring and Assessment program reviews of POPs and heavy metal contaminants and possible effects.

FIELD ACTIVITY DETAILS

Geographical location(s) for the proposed field activities:
Sampling will take place in coastal areas of the Bering Sea, Chukchi Sea, Beaufort Sea, Hudson Bay, Canadian Archipelago, Baffin Bay, Greenland Sea, Norwegian Sea, Barents Sea, White Sea, Pechora Sea, Kara Sea, Laptev Sea (ideally all in 2007)

Approximate timeframe(s) for proposed field activities:
Arctic: 03/07 – 09/07            
Antarctic: n/a

Significant facilities will be required for this project:
The project would use existing facilities in circumpolar countries. E.g. Environment Canada (Burlington, Ottawa); NIST (Charleston); NOAA (Seattle); Univ of Alaska Fairbanks; NERI Roskilde; NPI, Tromsø; These facilities include analytical chemical laboratories, freezer space, instrumentation. Could be shared with other projects e.g. #497, 680.

Will the project leave a legacy of infrastructure?
No

How is it envisaged that the required logistic support will be secured?
Consortium
National agency
Own support
Other sources of support

Will use existing networks for collection of ringed seal samples i.e. community based sampling except in Svalbard where scientific sampling permits would be required.

Has the project been "endorsed" at a national or international level?
The project would combine and coordinate existing programs in Canada, Greenland and Norway and add programs for USA, Russia. The Canadian ringed seal project is approved by the Northern Contaminants Program of Indian and Northern Affairs Canada (2004-2009)

PROJECT MANAGEMENT AND STRUCTURE

Is the project a short-term expansion (over the IPY 2007-2008 timeframe) of an existing plan, programme or initiative or is it a new autonomous proposal?


The Canadian ringed seal project is approved by the Northern Contaminants Program of Indian and Northern Affairs Canada (2004-2009). Programs also exist in Greenland (NERI) and Norway (NPI?). Protocols used by these programs for collection and analysis of seal samples for contaminants are similar and would be harmonized and used for other locations.

How will the project be organised and managed?
The project would be coordinated by NWRI using a full time coordinator for 2 yrs, mid-2006 to mid-2008. A project team consisting of representatives from all participating circumpolar countries will be in constant email contact (many contacts are already well established). Decisions on protocols will be made at a workshop attended by all participants and interested observers. Collection will be coordinated to complement and piggy back on studies of ringed seal ecology. It will also involve indigenous peoples in communities throughout the arctic, particularly in Alaska, Canada, Greenland and Chukotka (Russia). Communication with these communities will be done in consultation with indigenous peoples organizations and other projects e.g. #483. Funding from the Canadian NCP program and from other National programs will offset some costs of sample collection.

What are the initial plans of the project for addressing the education, outreach and communication issues outlined in the Framework document?
Sample collection will also involve indigenous peoples in communities throughout the arctic, particularly in Alaska, Canada, Greenland and Chukotka (Russia). Communication with these communities will be done in consultation with indigenous peoples organizations and other projects that will be dealing with human health, diet and nutrition. Results of the study will be communicated back to these communities by poster, presentations, radio interviews by members of the project team most familiar with the region/community.

What are the initial plans of the project to address data management issues (as outlined in the Framework document?
The project will generate data on organic contaminants and metals as well as ancillary data on age, sex, location, nutritional status, trophic level (stable isotopes) etc for each sample. These data will be managed by the project coordinator. Following publication of key findings, results will be provided to the AMAP marine contaminants database maintained by ICES (Copenhagen).

How is it proposed to fund the project?
Funding for selected geographic regions e.g. USA, Canada, Greenland and Norway will be sought from national programs. Existing funding in Canada (e.g. NCP, ArcticNet) will provide a nucleus e.g. by partially funding a project coordinator. Funds will be sought specifically for analysis of a broader suite of contaminants possibly in concert with other parallel projects e.g. #680, #497. Funding may also be sought from NGO sources e.g. WWF has expressed contaminant studies in the past

Is there additional information you wish to provide?
None

PROPOSER DETAILS

Dr Derrek Muir
National Water Research Institute, Environment Canada,
867 Lakeshore Road
Burlington
ON L7R 4A6
Canada

Tel: 905-319-6921
Mobile: no
Fax: 905-336-6430
Email:

Other project members and their affiliation