Expressions of Intent for International Polar Year 2007-2008 Activities

Expression of Interest Details

PROPOSAL INFORMATION

Photochemistry of Organic Pollutants in Snow and Ice: Implications for Contaminant Fate  (Snow and Ice Photochemistry)

Outline
In recent years it has become apparent that the frozen surfaces of polar regions are highly reactive. Recent studies have illustrated the previously overlooked importance of snow and ice as reactive chemical media in the environment. It has been shown that the Arctic snowpack plays an important role in processing atmospheric species. Photochemical production of formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, acetone, molecular halogens, alkyl halides, HONO and NOx have recently been reported to occur in snow/ice. The production of low molecular weight carbonyl compounds has been attributed to the photo-oxidation of dissolved organic material present in the snow. The production of HONO and NOx results from nitrate ion photolysis within the snow. The release of these photochemically generated species has been shown to have significant impacts on the chemistry of the overlying atmosphere. Photochemical transformations of anthropogenic organic contaminants in ice have also been observed, although published information regarding these processes is scant. A review by Klan and Holoubek (2002) discusses the current status of ice photochemistry research and points out that information on transformations of organic contaminants in ice is limited (other than studies from astrophysical research, which involves radiation wavelengths and temperatures not relevant to earth’s surface). Transformations of anthropogenic organic pollutants in snow and ice could have vast implications for atmospheric chemistry processes, contaminant transport and ecosystem health. The objective of this study is to address the following questions: 1. What is the photochemical behavior of various types of organic contaminants in irradiated frozen water media? 2. How important are direct vs indirect photochemical processes? 3. How do transformation rates vary as a function of depth in the ice or snowpack? 4. Are these reaction products found in environmental samples, e.g. atmosphere, snow/ice, snowmelt runoff, biological samples? 5. What are the toxicological properties of the products formed? This work will include laboratory and field based studies. Transformation potentials and reaction mechanisms will be elucidated in the laboratory, and field work will determine if similar reactivity is found in the Arctic environment. I propose to conduct photochemical degradation experiments in the spring/summer of 2008 in Barrow, Alaska at research facilities available through the Barrow Arctic Science Consortium (BASC). The proposed timeframe of experiments will occur in April - June, as snowmelt typically occurs in early to mid-June at Barrow. Barrow has been chosen for fieldwork because it is a coastal site with an indigenous population that relies on subsistence living, which could suffer from the negative impacts of toxin bioaccumulation in their marine food sources. q1_4_T1 : yes q1_4_T2 : yes q1_5_NatSoc : yes q1_6_Advances : This project addresses themes #1, #2 and #3. Determining the current levels and transformation chemistry of POPs in the Arctic helps us better understand the present environmental status of the polar regions (Theme 1). The elucidation of POP transformation mechanisms will enable us to quantify/understand the environmental change induced by the influx of anthropogenic pollutants to the Arctic (Theme 2) and therefore, will help us understand better the links between the polar regions and the rest of the globe and how lower latitude pollution sources are affecting the environment and health of high latitude polar regions (Theme 3).

What significant advance(s) in relation to the IPY themes and targets can be anticipated from this project?
This project addresses themes #1, #2 and #3. Determining the current levels and transformation chemistry of POPs in the Arctic helps us better understand the present environmental status of the polar regions (Theme 1). The elucidation of POP transformation.

What international collaboration is involved in this project?
No current international collaboration.

FIELD ACTIVITY DETAILS

Geographical location(s) for the proposed field activities:
Barrow, Alaska

Approximate timeframe(s) for proposed field activities:
Arctic: 04/2008 to 07/2008            
Antarctic: n/a

Significant facilities will be required for this project:
The existing facilities of BASC will be utilized for this study.

Will the project leave a legacy of infrastructure?
No significant new infrastructure will be built relating to this project.

How is it envisaged that the required logistic support will be secured?
National agency

Logistical support will be provided via the research grant, to be submitted to the National Science Foundation.

Has the project been "endorsed" at a national or international level?
No current endorsement.

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?
New

How will the project be organised and managed?
The project will be self-managed by the Principal Investigator.

What are the initial plans of the project for addressing the education, outreach and communication issues outlined in the Framework document?
Outreach activities will include interaction with local high school students and will involve public speaking engagements about climate change and Arctic science issues. A number of undergraduate students will participate directly in the research and the project will also support a master student. Additionally, I hope to include as part of the field work a high school teacher through the TREC (Teachers and Researchers Exploring and Collaborating) program.

What are the initial plans of the project to address data management issues (as outlined in the Framework document?
Data generated from this project will need to be carefully interpreted by the PI and will not be available in raw form to the general public. Results will be reported at local and national meetings, in the scientific literature and on the university website.

How is it proposed to fund the project?
National Science Foundation, Division of Atmospheric Chemistry.

Is there additional information you wish to provide?
None

PROPOSER DETAILS

Dr Amanda Grannas
Dept. of Chemistry, Villanova University
800 Lancaster Ave.
Villanova, PA
19401
USA

Tel: 610 519 4881
Mobile: no
Fax: no
Email:

Other project members and their affiliation