Expressions of Intent for International Polar Year 2007-2008 Activities

Expression of Interest Details

PROPOSAL INFORMATION

CANADA #48: Reconstruction of long-term changes of mercury concentrations and feeding behaviour of marine mammals in the eastern Arctic  (Mercury trends in animals over centuries)

Outline
Mercury (Hg) is emerging as one of the main contaminant issues of concern in the Canadian Arctic. Circumpolar comparisons using ringed seals show that Hg levels in Canada are higher than elsewhere (AMAP Metals Assessment Report, in press). Recent work by Outridge & colleagues in the central-western Arctic found that Hg levels in beluga teeth in the 1990s were significantly elevated above the natural geological background as represented by teeth from archeological sites dating one to five centuries ago (Arctic 2002 55:123 and Sci. Tot. Environ. in press). The increase, which is age-dependant, ranges from 4- to 17-fold in 10 to 30 yr old beluga in the Beaufort Sea, and 3- to 8-fold in the population near Somerset Island. Because tooth Hg is strongly correlated with Hg in organs and tissues of beluga (Environ. Cont. Toxicol. 2000 19:1517), we have reconstructed the muktuk and muscle increases to be 6-fold higher in modern 30 yr old Beaufort beluga and 3-fold higher in 30 yr old Somerset beluga. Associated with the Hg increases are significant changes in the stable C and N isotopic composition of the teeth, which shows different patterns of feeding behaviour in historical and modern populations. Similar studies are underway with ringed seals in these areas. We propose to extend these studies to beluga and seal populations in the eastern Arctic. This will then provide near-complete coverage of the Canadian Arctic beluga stocks in terms of data on their long-term increases of Hg in tissues. Seal data will also be available for 4 distinct regions (seal stock boundaries being largely unknown). Because beluga and seals remain important country foods in the North, and because we will be able to reconstruct tissue Hg data from tooth data, the results will have impact in human risk assessments and policies relating to Hg in these food species.

What significant advance(s) in relation to the IPY themes and targets can be anticipated from this project?
1) Current state: Mercury in the Arctic is recognized as an issue but without more comprehensive geographic data on the degree of modern increase above background, we cannot know quantitatively how the Hg threat to human and ecosystems has changed because of pollution. 2) Change: The causes of Hg increases in marine mammals can be investigated using stable C and N isotopes, to rule out (or not) natural explanations for the increases. 3) N/A 4) N/A 5) Polar regions are thought to be sinks for global Hg pollution. Mercury levels in human hair and blood in the CDN Arctic are among the highest in the world. 6) Inuit societies still rely heavily on traditional country foods, despite concerns about Hg and other contaminants. This project will help them to evaluate how much, if at all, specific animals and species have been impacted by Hg pollution. E.g. negligible increases of tissue Hg have occurred over centuries in <10 yr old beluga.

What international collaboration is involved in this project?
Long-term trends of Hg in Greenland polar bears & seabirds (R. Dietz, Danish Dept of Arctic Environment). Results to be used in AMAP 2008 Mercury Assessment.

FIELD ACTIVITY DETAILS

Geographical location(s) for the proposed field activities:
Cumberland Sound, Baffin Island, has pre-industrial Thule sites and European whaling kill sites (known to be rich in beluga & seal). Hudson Bay Thule whaling sites ID’d but not reconned.

Approximate timeframe(s) for proposed field activities:
Arctic: 04-2007 to 04-2008            
Antarctic: n/a

Significant facilities will be required for this project:
In Cumberland Sound, boat access only will be required (no sig. support needed). In Hudson Bay, Twin Otter or helicopter support, the latter possibly from the CGS Amundsen, will be required.

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

PCSP support around Hudson Bay, or ArcticNet CGS Amundsen. Boat access provided by local guides in adjacent communities.

Has the project been "endorsed" at a national or international level?
On-going and previous work was supported financially by GSC, PCSP, FJMC (Inuvialuit Region) and DFO 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. The CSC has initially sorted this pre-proposal into: THEME: Education, Outreach & Communication SUB-THEME: Changing chemistry in polar regions: Processes controlling the pathways of contaminants into the Arctic

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?


Component of on-going activity (Outridge GSC funds + FJMC) at Holman, NWT, and Mackenzie Delta (ArcticNet & Outridge GSC funds)

How will the project be organised and managed?
Outridge to be PL. Funds to be managed either through GSC or through U of Manitoba, Faculty of Environment (Outridge adjunct at Uof M)

What are the initial plans of the project for addressing the education, outreach and communication issues outlined in the Framework document?
Meetings will be held with local communities in study areas to communicate results, as part of Northern Contaminants Program (DIAND) community tours. Results to be incorporated into next CACAR (NCP) Assessment and AMAP 2008 Hg Assessment, which, as before, will involve professional preparation of public summary documents from the scientific technical reports.

What are the initial plans of the project to address data management issues (as outlined in the Framework document?
Data will be fully reported in peer-reviewed scientific journals, as previously.

How is it proposed to fund the project?
Possible sources: IPY, GSC A-base, NCP

Is there additional information you wish to provide?
Hopefully graduate students involvement will also happen, but can not be guaranteed at this early time.

PROPOSER DETAILS

Dr Peter Outridge
601 Booth St.


Ottawa
K1A 0E8
Canada

Tel: 613-996-3958
Mobile: no
Fax: 613-943-1286
Email:

Other project members and their affiliation