Expressions of Intent for International Polar Year 2007-2008 Activities

Expression of Interest Details

PROPOSAL INFORMATION

CANADA #50: Mercury contamination of polar regions  (Mercury contamination of polar regions)

Outline
While atmospheric mercury depletion events at polar sunrise have been shown we question if there is any net accumulation and does this even contribute to the observed contamination of arctic ecosystems. We monitored the concentration gradient over the snow pack and have shown a strong daily flux between the atmosphere and the snow pack the direction of which is driven mainly by solar radiation. The mechanism of this phenomenon is still under investigation. By the time of snowmelt most of the mercury deposited has volatilized back into the atmosphere. We postulate that mercury contamination at polar sunrise has been overestimated based on our work at Resolute and Kuujjuarapik, P.Q (with L. Poissant, EC). Now such experiments should be conducted in other regions to evaluate the role of pH, snow chemistry and solar radiation. Consistent with these observations is that levels of Hg(II) in ice and snow cores sampled in 2004 from Devon Island and Grennel Ice Cap (see Koerner of GSC) do not contain the high levels of Hg(II) seen following polar sunrise. More significantly, we have also shown that high levels of methyl mercury (MeHg) are found in the snow pack in late winter. Much of it is transferred to steam runoff and to the surface melt water in lakes during the springtime. Further work on hydrologic budgets is planned. In addition, historical budgets will be constructed using sediment cores from lake where paleorecords are preserved. We predict that MeHg in the snow pack is the major source to the Arctic food chain. We would now like to determine if 1) such high levels of MeHg occurs across a broad geographical area in both polar regions; 2) is the MeHg formed in the snow or does it fall in the snow; 3) does snowmelt contribute to high levels of MeHg in major rivers especially in springtime and can these levels be predicted using a simple model; and 4) if there is a signal for such contamination in the people of the Arctic, bird feathers of both polar regions, marine mammals (see Outridge GSC), and sediment and ice cores (see above). We have established that feathers from penguins from Antarctica indeed have high levels of mercury and we can obtain feathers from sea bird colonies in the Arctic. We will conduct food frequency questionnaires for several communities in the Arctic and with analysis of contamination establish predictive relationships so that some mitigation can be accomplished. This work can easily be accomplished through associations with other investigators, employing local people to assist in the sampling and making strategic trips to the polar regions and visiting established facilities and using available ship space. Work done by my group in 1992 in Antarctica showed that the spring bloom of phytoplankton resulted from a stratification of the water column with low conductivity water at the surface. Similarly in the Arctic freshwater from melting snow and ice and the input from major rivers does not only provide nutrients for under ice algae but the MeHg which can move into the Arctic food chain. This work would be compliment the interests of MacDonald and Stern et al. DFO.

What significant advance(s) in relation to the IPY themes and targets can be anticipated from this project?
1) Current state: Mercury pollution of the Arctic is recognized but there is confusion on the mechanism of contamination and the source. All existing data in AMAP are for total mercury when only methyl mercury is toxic and accumulates in food chains. Here we provide evidence that the role of mercury depletion events is overestimated and the significant source is methyl mercury in snow and input from major rivers. 2) Change: To mitigate the problem of mercury in the food of people of the Arctic it is necessary to determine the source and the mechanism. 3) Polar-global linkages: Currently polar regions are paying the price for release of mercury from industrial regions. 4) New frontiers: bipolar contamination has not been well documented. Impacts to people and top predators in Arctic and Antarctica is not well known. 5) Polar regions are sites for the greatest impact of climate change and this will increase the influence of mercury contamination. 6) Human societies are known to have high levels of mercury exposure. In Antactica it is the penguins and other sea birds, sea mammals and large fish that are impacted.

What international collaboration is involved in this project?
Nazafarin Lahoutifard-National Environmental Research Agency, Paris, France William Cooper, University of North Carolina, Wilmington John Darby, Dunedin, New Zealand British Antarctic Survey

FIELD ACTIVITY DETAILS

Geographical location(s) for the proposed field activities:
Sites will be chosen where there is continuing research activities. Much of this investigation can be accomplished by samples being taken by technical staff at established sites. What is necessary is continuous information across the bipolar region. Samples will be shipped from stations in Antarctica and across the Arctic including samples from major rivers.

Approximate timeframe(s) for proposed field activities:
Arctic: 01-2007 to 12-2008            
Antarctic: 01-2007 to 12-2008            

Significant facilities will be required for this project:
Some ship time and facilities at existing bases in both polar regions. Use of helicopter through such agencies as PCSP would be helpful. It is expected that local people could be hired to obtain samples throughout the entire winter period.

Will the project leave a legacy of infrastructure?
The legacy would be the establishment of a data set which could continue in the future. In addition, there will be many highly qualified people trained on polar research.

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

We have an extensive ongoing program in the Arctic which we expect to continue but not at the level planned for in the present investigation.

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

While there have been experiments which have been completed and are currently underway, these have provided the basis for the present proposal. Without the major international linkages of IPY such experiments would not be possible.

How will the project be organised and managed?
D. Lean will be the principal investigator and the project will be managed from that location but collaboration with Outridge and Koerner of the GSC is expected. In addition, the continued collaboration with Laurier Poissant of Environment Canada provides the monitoring necessary to compliment this investigation. At University of Ottawa, Konrad Gajewski will provide expertise on Arctic hydrology and Paul Hamilton of the Museum of Nature will do the paleoanalysis. Bill Cooper of UNCW will coordinate the collection of feathers from penquins.

What are the initial plans of the project for addressing the education, outreach and communication issues outlined in the Framework document?
Results will be published in peer reviewed format and a video of penquins will be developed for TV programming.

What are the initial plans of the project to address data management issues (as outlined in the Framework document?
All data will be available to the scientific community both through publications and a web site.

How is it proposed to fund the project?
Currently we have one of best mercury labs in Canada and have ongoing funding from many sources at a level of about $300K per year for mercury research. These facilities will be available for the present project. We have also enjoyed excellent support in the past from PCSP and expect that to continue.

Is there additional information you wish to provide?
None

PROPOSER DETAILS

David Lean
University of Ottawa
P.O. Box 450 Station A
Ottawa, ON
K1N 6N5
Canada

Tel: 613-562-5800 ext 6349
Mobile: no
Fax: 613-562-5486
Email:

Other project members and their affiliation