Expressions of Intent for International Polar Year 2007-2008 Activities

Expression of Interest Details

PROPOSAL INFORMATION

CANADA #95: Changing Chemistry in Polar Regions: Processes controlling the pathways of contaminants into the Arctic.  (Changing Chemistry in Polar Regions: Processes controlling the pathways of contaminants into the Arctic.)

Outline
The vast size and high variability of the Canadian Arctic in terms of climate, topography, air mass origin, and human activities suggests that contamination of the atmosphere with contaminants (POPs and mercury) varies in diffe¬rent parts of the Arctic. Knowledge of such variability will help to identify source regions of influence to the various parts of the Arctic; determine the influence of climate variation/climate change on the long-range transport and distribution of contaminants to the various parts of the Arctic; make locally/regionally relevant assessments of contaminant delivery to arctic ecosystem and exposure. This is especially true for emerging chemicals, such as brominated flame retardants, polychlorinated naphthalenes (PCNs) and current-use pesticides, which very few, if any, measurements have been conducted in Arctic air. The atmosphere is one delivery pathway for contaminants to the Arctic. The processes by which the contaminants make it from the air into the biota are not known. The ocean is a second delivery pathway for contaminants to the Arctic and, in addition, forms a significant link in the chain between air and biota. The process work described here will be done through OASIS; the monitoring will be linked to the NAMOPOL project (acronyms spelled out in 1.7 below). The work will fill knowledge gaps defined by successful ongoing Arctic programs (Northern Contaminants Program and Arctic Monitoring and Assessment Programme) and contribute to development and validation of models used to predict contaminant transport and deposition.

What significant advance(s) in relation to the IPY themes and targets can be anticipated from this project?
• Long term monitoring of contaminants in the Arctic is undertaken by the Northern Contaminants Program for 1 site for air concentrations and limited species and sites for biota. No ocean water sampling is undertaken. • This project will broaden the knowledge of the current state of contaminants in the Arctic by (1) initiating passive samplers at several sites to resolve spatial differences, (2) passive sampler network will be a legacy to look at future changes, (3) improving understanding of contaminants in the oceans, a vital link between global sources and arctic biota, (4) process studies of air- surface interactions will improve modelling of contaminant movement into ecosystem

What international collaboration is involved in this project?
passive samplers are being deployed at research sites in the North and South Hemispheres and so are linked to university research globally as well as nationally - IPY proposal OASIS (Ocean-Atmosphere-Sea-Ice-Snow interactions in polar regions) will be used a the framework for process studies - Arctic Monitoring and Assessment Programme (Canada, Denmark/Greenland, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Russia, Sweden and the United States) - IPY proposal “Network for Atmospheric Monitoring of Anthropogenic Pollution in Polar Regions (NAMOPOL)” with Dr. Roland Kallenborn, Norwegian Institute for Air Research (NILU), as the project leader.

FIELD ACTIVITY DETAILS

Geographical location(s) for the proposed field activities:
Arctic circumpolar with groups from different Arctic countries participating (e.g. Torunn Berg, NILU); Canadian work will be done across the Arctic with better definition as the proposal is developed. Currently Canadian efforts contribute to field studies in Iceland, Svalbard, Barrow and Russia.

Approximate timeframe(s) for proposed field activities:
Arctic: Process work - March 2007 to July 2008      Shipboard as available       Passive sampling starting October 2006
Antarctic: n/a

Significant facilities will be required for this project:
The research station at Alert will be utilized for process studies. Ocean measurements will require ship time and the group will need to co-ordinate with other projects to acquire this time. Process work to be integrated with OASIS.

Will the project leave a legacy of infrastructure?
Passive sampling network to provide spatial and temporal coverage for persistent organic pollutants in the Arctic. Sites will be selected. Northerners will be trained in the maintenance of the network and sites. The intent is for the sites to remain active.

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

Alert is a government of Canada research site on a military base. Deployment of passive samplers in other circumpolar countries will need support from the countries involved. Ship time will need co-operation of other polar groups.

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?


The proposed work will be autonomous. However, it will fill in blanks left by the current Northern Contaminants Program and Arctic Monitoring and Assessment Programme. Hence there is a framework of research results to which this project will contribute.

How will the project be organised and managed?
There is a management structure in place for the Environment Canada work in contaminants in the Arctic. The work currently consists of collaboration within the department, other government departments and universities. The IPY work will fall under the same management structure.

What are the initial plans of the project for addressing the education, outreach and communication issues outlined in the Framework document?
Researchers involved in the Northern Contaminants Program have established communication links with Northerners in the three territories. The Northerners will be advised through their territorial committees with further communication as advised by the committees. A Digital Database which provides user-friendly informative graphics of contaminant is already in use for the Arctic. It is suggested that this data base be expanded to include other forms of data (social, economic, etc.)

What are the initial plans of the project to address data management issues (as outlined in the Framework document?
include Canadian data in the Government of Canada supported archive (NATChem) - include data in the Digital Arctic Database which is graphical and user friendly

How is it proposed to fund the project?
Internal EC funds up to $200K O&M plus 200K salary per year for staff of the Meteorological Service of Canada Air Quality Research Branch. University research to be funded by academic funding agencies – not secured at present.

Is there additional information you wish to provide?
None

PROPOSER DETAILS

Dr Catharine Banic
4905 Dufferin Street


Toronto Ontario
M3H 5T4
Canada

Tel: 416 739-4613
Mobile: no
Fax: 416 739-5708
Email:

Other project members and their affiliation