Expressions of Intent for International Polar Year 2007-2008 Activities

Expression of Interest Details

PROPOSAL INFORMATION

The biogeochemistry of methyl mercury in the coastal Arctic Ocean and its relevance to human health  (ARMECON)

Outline
We propose to investigate the biogeochemistry of mercury in coastal Arctic ecosystems and how it relates to human health. The research will focus on the input and transport of mercury and methyl mercury (MMHg) in coastal systems, MMHg bioaccumulation in finfish and mammals, and human exposure to MMHg through the consumption of contaminated fish and game. A major part of the field work builds on previously established infrastructure during the PARTNERS project (http://ecosystems.mbl.edu/partners) which set up efficient sampling programs at 6 major Arctic rivers in Russia, Canada, and the US. Our effort will focus on the Ob, Yukon, Mackenzie and Elson Lagoon near Point Barrow, Alaska. The choice of sampling sites was based on the occurrence of seasonal hypoxia in some of the Arctic river estuaries (Ob, Yukon). It is not clear why mercury is so efficiently transformed to MMHg and accumulated in biological tissue in the Arctic ecosystem, but we hypothesize that the poorly documented but frequent occurrence of anoxic conditions are an important prerequisite for MMHg formation. Several steps between the introduction of mercury into the Arctic ecosystem and the accumulation of MMHg in humans are not understood and need to be investigated within a multidisciplinary framework. Main gaps in the understanding of mercury biogeochemistry and human health include: 1. The role of organic matter and sulfur for the biogeochemistry of mercury.2. Location and seasonal variations in mercury methylation. 3. Identity and activity of organisms responsible for mercury methylation. 4. The role of physical mixing for MMHg distribution in the water column.5. Trophic linkages, leading to MMHg accumulation in top predators. 6. Key species most problematic for human consumption. Over the next 2 years the PARTNERS project will deliver samples from the 6 largest Arctic rivers to determine the river input of mercury and MMHg to the coastal Arctic Ocean. Our project will build on these initial results and more focused programs will be developed in the estuaries which turn anoxic during winter ice cover and locations where hunting and consumption of fish and seals are important. Field work will focus on taking water samples to determine mercury speciation, and in situ determination of mercury methylation. Trophic interaction and MMHg transport through the food web will be studied by sampling key taxonomic groups and relating MMHg distribution to stable isotope values. Tissue samples from fish and game will also be supplied by local fishermen and hunters. Our research team also includes Anne Sweeney, an environmental epidemiologist, who will perform a systematic investigation of the effects methyl mercury has on the local human populations by directly working with local communities in Alaska and Canada.

What significant advance(s) in relation to the IPY themes and targets can be anticipated from this project?
The research will significantly improve our understanding of the complex processes involved in the cycle of mercury in aquatic environments. The Arctic appears to have several unidentified prerequisites for the efficient transformation of mercury to MMHg and its accumulation in fish and game, important components of the human diet in the Arctic. It will eventually lead to public advisories concerning the consumption of fish and game in Arctic regions and thereby protect the public from contamination. The research will also contribute to the understanding how changes in the global hydrological cycle influence the long range transport of mercury to high latitudes and what we have to expect for the next few decades.

What international collaboration is involved in this project?
Through PARTNERS and other past projects we have international collaborations established to the Shirshov Institute of Oceanology, the Centre for Preparation and Implementation of International Projects (CPPI-S), the Vernadsky Institute, all in Russia, and the Water Resource Division, Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development, Canada. Additionally, we are currently cooperating with the AWI, Germany and the Swedish Polar Sekretariat for future expeditions to the Eurasian coast.

FIELD ACTIVITY DETAILS

Geographical location(s) for the proposed field activities:
We picked 3 major river estuaries, Ob, Yukon, and Mackenzie and Elson Lagoon, Alaska as the major sampling locations. These locations were picked for accessibility, infrastructure and occurrence of seasonal anoxic conditions.

Approximate timeframe(s) for proposed field activities:
Arctic: 04/07 – 10/07      04/08 – 10/08      
Antarctic: n/a

Significant facilities will be required for this project:
The Mackenzie will be sampled with the help of the Department of Indian Affairs in Yellowknife, Canada. The Yukon will be sampled with the support of the US USGS, and the Ob sampling will depend on our Russian partners from the Centre for Preparation and Implementation of International Projects (CPPI-S). Field work in Elson Lagoon will depend on the support by the Barrow Arctic Science Consortium (BASC) funded by the US National Science Foundation.

Will the project leave a legacy of infrastructure?
No new permanent infrastructure needs to be established for this research project.

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

Has the project been "endorsed" at a national or international level?
Our expression of interest is in the process of being considered by the US National Committee for IPY

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

The project represents a new project with a new research focus and a new team. The project will tie into and build on ongoing projects in the Arctic Ocean. Most importantly, it will be able to utilize existing infrastructure and international collaborations.

How will the project be organised and managed?
The project will be self-managed by making use of existing infrastructure and international cooperation. Sufficient know how has been obtained over the last 10 years of research in the Arctic region. Management of the proposal will be the responsibility of the lead PI’s at TAMUG and will built on the extensive experience from the PARTNERS project.

What are the initial plans of the project for addressing the education, outreach and communication issues outlined in the Framework document?
High school teachers, and undergraduate students will be directly involved in the project by participating in field trips. The direct involvement of local fishermen and hunters will form the base of our outreach attempt to the local population. We have established cooperation with a local newspaper where our undergraduate students write a column describing TAMUG research projects like this one.

What are the initial plans of the project to address data management issues (as outlined in the Framework document?
Data management will follow the Arctic System Science (ARCSS) data policy to allow easy and timely access to the information generated during this project. Data will be managed by the ARCSS Data Coordination Center which was established to archive all data collected by NSF/ARCSS funded project.

How is it proposed to fund the project?
Arctic research in the US is usually funded through the Office of Polar Programs at NSF. The lead PI is currently funded by the Arctic System Science Program and the Arctic Natural Sciences Program. A grant proposal will be submitted to one of these programs for the January 2006 deadline. Although not confirmed, the research community in the US is expecting a specific RFP by the NSF ARCSS program addressing IPY.

Is there additional information you wish to provide?
The assembled research team is too large to be listed below but covers the following disciplines: Organic matter biogeochemistry, mercury biogeochemistry, trace metal/organic matter interactions, molecular microbial ecology, benthic ecology, phytoplankton ecology, fisheries ecology, coastal physical oceanography/turbulent mixing, freshwater geochemistry, human epidemiology. Most of the lead PI’s are located at TAMU which will help to coordinate the investigation of the complex interaction of mercury, organic matter, and microorganisms in aquatic ecosystems. At least five of the involved PI’s have extended field experience in the Arctic Ocean.

PROPOSER DETAILS

Assistant Professor Rainer Amon
Texas A&M University at Galveston
5007 Avenue U
Galveston
77551
USA

Tel: 409-740-4719
Mobile: no
Fax: 409-740-4787
Email:

Other project members and their affiliation