Expressions of Intent for International Polar Year 2007-2008 Activities

Expression of Interest Details

PROPOSAL INFORMATION

Identification and quantification of mercury species formed during the polar atmospheric mercury depletion events  

Outline
Mercury is a persistent neurotoxin that cannot be destroyed and degraded but can be biomagnified in the natural environment. The atmospheric mercury depletion evens (MDEs) (Schroeder et al., Nature, 1998, 394: 331) in the Arctic each year after polar sunrise has been confirmed to occur at the Antarctic and sub-Arctic locations. During the MDEs, atmospheric mercury is converted/oxidized from its elemental form to more soluble Hg(II) forms, leading to enhanced mercury deposition (Lu et al., Geophysical Research Letter, 2001, 28: 3219) to polar ecosystems. This may explain the high concentrations of mercury in polar bears and in aboriginal northerners, but the chemical(s) and the mechanism(s) that are responsible for the conversion have not been identified. The proposed research focuses on identification and quantification of the mercury species associated with airborne particulate matter that are produced during the mercury depletion events (MDEs). Samples of airborne particulate matter (ground level and from an airplane) have been and will be collected from Alert, Nunavut, Canada, Point Barrow, Alaska, and Antarctic using a mini-sampler (Lu et al. Anal. Chem. 1998, 70: 2403) and 47-mm-filter packs. The samples will be analysed using (1) advanced spectroscopy instruments (e.g., Raman Microscope, scanning Electron Microscope) (samples collected on the 47-mm filters). (2) a new analytical method developed in our group (Feng et al., Anal. Bioanal. Chem., 2004, 380: 683) - this method uses mini-sampler for sample collection, thermal desorption for separating the mercury species associated with the sample, and ICP-MS for simultaneous detection and quantification of mercury and anions such as Br, Cl, and S. The expected results are: (1) spectroscopy analysis can give information on physical characteristics (relative concentration of particles, particle sizes and their relative distributions) and chemical properties (e.g., the particles can be divided into groups according the their color under the spectroscope; particles in each group have their characteristic spectra) of the particulate matter collected from the different locations; (3) from the thermal-ICP-MS analysis, mercury species associated with the particles can be identified and quantified. The results generated from this proposed research are the base for understanding the chemistry involved during the MDEs and are crucial in predicting the movement, in understanding the toxicity, and in accessing the impacts of the deposited mercury during the MDEs on polar ecosystems. This will be a significant contribution to maintain Canada’s leading position in the area of polar mercury research.

What significant advance(s) in relation to the IPY themes and targets can be anticipated from this project?
This proposed research falls in the IPY theme “Changing Chemistry in Polar Regions: Processes controlling the pathways of contaminants into the Arctic”. The discovery of the Arctic atmospheric mercury depletion events (MDEs) in 1995 has stimulated lots of research activities worldwide. The possible chemicals that control and the mechanisms leading to the MDEs have been proposed but have so far not been experimentally confirmed. This research provides the identity and quantity of the mercury species formed during the MDEs and is important in understanding the chemistry involved in and the processes controlling the MDEs, in predicting the movement, in understanding the toxicity, and in accessing the impacts of the deposited mercury during the MDEs on polar ecosystems.

What international collaboration is involved in this project?
(1)Dr. Steve Brook, USA (2)Dr. R. Arimoto, New Mexico State University, USA (3)A. Steffen, Meteorological Service of Canada, Canada

FIELD ACTIVITY DETAILS

Geographical location(s) for the proposed field activities:
(1)Alert, Nunavut, Canada (82°28'N, 62°30'W) (2)Point barrow, Alaska, USA (71°23'N and long. 156°30'W) (3)Atmospheric Research Observatory, Antarctic (90 degrees South on the Polar Plateau)

Approximate timeframe(s) for proposed field activities:
Arctic: 02/07 – 05/07      02/08 – 05/08      
Antarctic: 08/07 – 12/07      12/08 – 12/08      

Significant facilities will be required for this project:
(1) Three (3) ft2 lab surface (maximum) at each site for housing the air pumps and flow meters, power supply for the air pumps and flow meters (2) One-day technical support at the beginning and at the end of each sampling period at each site for setting up/taking down the sampling lines (3) Two-hour per week technical support for replacing filters, collecting sampling information, communicating, solving problems, and shipping samples and equipments.

Will the project leave a legacy of infrastructure?
No.

How is it envisaged that the required logistic support will be secured?
Another national polar operator
National agency
Own support
Other sources of support

Sample collection has been done and will be done (1)by the project members: Point Barrow by Dr. Steve Brooks, Antarctic location by Dr. R. Arimoto, Alert by A. Steffen, AND/OR (2)by graduate students working on the project

Has the project been "endorsed" at a national or international level?
I was invited by Dr. C. Banic to participate in the existing plan (theme): “Changing Chemistry in Polar Regions: Processes controlling the Pathways of Contaminants into the Arctic”

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?
Yes

It is a component of the existing plan “Changing Chemistry in Polar Regions: Processes controlling the pathways of contaminants into the Arctic”. This proposed research provides crucial information for understanding the chemistry involved in and the processes controlling the newly identified deposition pathway of mercury to the polar ecosystems.

How will the project be organised and managed?
The applicant will consult all the team members and coordinate the research activities through the project.

What are the initial plans of the project for addressing the education, outreach and communication issues outlined in the Framework document?
(1)Train undergraduate and graduate students, technician, and postdoctoral fellows (2)Incorporate research activities and achievements in classrooms (two of the team members in this project are university professors) (3)Present the results at national and international workshops and conferences (4)Communicate the research findings with the communities from where the samples are collected.

What are the initial plans of the project to address data management issues (as outlined in the Framework document?
(1)Report data, after quality check and validating, to the communities from where the data are collected (2) Report research find to funding agencies (3)Follow the IPY JC recommendations

How is it proposed to fund the project?
Through national funding agencies. (1)secured from NSERC $8240/yr from 2004-2009 (Northern Supplemental) (2)funding to be applied for from: NSERC

Is there additional information you wish to provide?
None

PROPOSER DETAILS

Julia Lu
Associate Professor
Ryerson University
350 Victoria Street
M5B 2K3
Canada

Tel: 416-979-5000 ext 7481
Mobile: no
Fax: 416-979-5044
Email:

Other project members and their affiliation