Expressions of Intent for International Polar Year 2007-2008 Activities

Expression of Interest Details

PROPOSAL INFORMATION

CANADA #151: Pollution trend reconstruction of noble metals (Pa and Pt) in Arctic  (NobleMet)

Outline
Due to modern industrial development, noble metals (such as Pt and Pa) are being used in a much broader field in recent decades. Especially, with the automobile industry, noble metals and their compounds have been widely used as catalysts in the car exhaust system. Though those pollutants are mainly local, they are also transported to remote Arctic regions. What are the trends for those metals? How much difference is there comparing the current situation with the one in the pre-industrial time period? This proposal is addressing those questions. We are aiming: 1. To develop precise methodologies to determine the concentrations of those noble metals in Canadian High Arctic, down to fg/g level or 10-15 gram per gram sample or ppq) in order to accurately quantify the content of those pollutants in the ice. This work will require special ultra-clean technique, equipment/facility and expertise, which GSC (Geological Survey Canada, NRCan) and UH (University of Heidelberg, Germany) currently has. 2. To reconstruct a temporal trend of those noble metal pollutants in the Canadian High Arctic for at least 50 years, possibly going back to pre-industrial time. This work requires precise dating and multi-disciplinary knowledge, including glaciology, ice-physics, analytical chemistry, statistics and geochemistry. Both GSC and UH have the necessary skills. 3. To investigate the spatial distribution of those noble metal pollutants on ice caps. Four to six ice caps will be occupied. 4. Hopefully to apportion the sources of the pollutants whenever possible using the gathered data sets.

What significant advance(s) in relation to the IPY themes and targets can be anticipated from this project?
Research on noble metal pollution has barely started in the Arctic due to their extreme low concentrations. Therefore, this new research area will contribute to Theme 1: determine the present environmental status of the polar regions; Theme 2: quantify and understand, past and present natural environmental change and to improve projections of future change; Theme 3: advance our understanding on the links and interactions between polar regions and populated areas as well as other cold regions (such as Greenland and Antarctic); Theme 4: start/set up new anthropogenic archives in the polar regions.

What international collaboration is involved in this project?
Institute of Environmental Geochemistry, University of Heidelberg, Germany: Director/Prof. William Shotyk: is a world-recognised scientist in his field and has been the lead in many programs/projects/funding initiatives. Dr. Michael Krachler: is an outstanding analytical chemist with over 100 publications in analytical chemistry, geochemistry, environmental chemistry and clean-room techniques.

FIELD ACTIVITY DETAILS

Geographical location(s) for the proposed field activities:
The geographical locations will be in the Canadian High Arctic regions, such as Agassiz Ice Cap, Devon Ice cap, Melville Ice Cap and Meighen Ice Cap, Nunavut, Canada as well as Svalbard and Russian Arctic regions when funding is possible.

Approximate timeframe(s) for proposed field activities:
Arctic: 04/06 – 05/06      03/07 – 05/07       04/08 – 05/08
Antarctic: n/a

Significant facilities will be required for this project:
PCSP support is critical. Fixed wing transport aircraft and snowmobiles will be needed. However, many activities are integrated/shared with the National Mass Balance program activities. Ice core drilling (if needed) will be carried out separately with GSC’s ice-core drill and drilling team.

Will the project leave a legacy of infrastructure?
No.

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

Field logistics will be fulfilled by NRCan’s PCSP support. Most activities of this project will be integrated/shared with the National Mass Balance Program, which currently visits the Arctic on an annual basis.

Has the project been "endorsed" at a national or international level?
This pre-proposal has been reviewed and is being submitted by the Canadian Steering Committee (CSC). Ongoing discussions will integrate this pre-proposal into a larger network of related national and international initiatives.

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

The proposed work is new and no similar work has been done in the Arctic regions yet. Because of the annual visits to those locations by the National Mass Balance Program carried out by GSC’s glaciology group, (which will continue for many years), most of the activities of this project can be integrated/shared with the program.

How will the project be organised and managed?
This project will be organised and managed by GSC (Geological Survey Canada), which is a Canadian government organization. Glaciology Group at GSC, Canada and the Institute of Environmental Geochemistry at UH, Germany will carry out the project.

What are the initial plans of the project for addressing the education, outreach and communication issues outlined in the Framework document?
Still in the planning stages.

What are the initial plans of the project to address data management issues (as outlined in the Framework document?
N/A

How is it proposed to fund the project?
There is no secured funding available yet. Potential funds may come from The Northern Contaminants Program (request for C$8000 for sample shipping and field sampling facility).

Is there additional information you wish to provide?
This project will cost about C$75,000 in total if carried out independently. However, integrating with the National Mass Balance Program will reduce much of cost. For example, aircraft, field camping gear, communication and transportation (commercial air tickets to Resolute et al.), can all be used for multiple functions and the costs shared. The travel and field costs would amount to ~C$55,000 if not shared. In support of this Noble metals research there will be ~C$20,000 needed for sample shipping, preparation, analyses and lab supplies.

PROPOSER DETAILS

Jiancheng (James) Zheng
562 Booth Street
Ottawa, Ontario
k1a 0e8
Canada

Tel: 1-613-992-9716
Mobile: no
Fax: 1-613-996-5448
Email:

Other project members and their affiliation