Expressions of Intent for International Polar Year 2007-2008 Activities

Expression of Interest Details

PROPOSAL INFORMATION

CANADA #19:The Impacts of Climate Change on the Biogeochemical Cycling of Carbon, Nutrients and Methyl Mercury in Polar Regions  (The Impacts of Climate Change on the Biogeochemical Cycling of Carbon, Nutrients and Methyl Mercury in Polar Regions)

Outline
The effects of global climate change are predicted to be most significant in polar ecoregions. In the Canadian high Arctic, for example, mean summer temperatures are forecasted to increase 4-5oC, whereas winter temperatures may rise 8-13oC within the next 50-100 years. Under such warming scenarios, it is predicted that the extent of three key polar features (glaciers, permafrost and sea ice) will be greatly reduced. Such extreme thermal and hydrological shifts will have large impacts on the biogeochemical cycling of important elements such as carbon and mercury, and nutrients such as phosphorus and nitrogen, in polar regions. For example, a warming polar climate will thicken the permafrost active layer, promoting the release of nutrients and the microbial oxidation of tundra soil organic carbon to CO2, which may positively feedback on global warming. It is also predicted that climate change will dramatically affect the biogeochemical cycling of monomethyl mercury (MMHg; a toxic form of Hg that bioaccumulates through food webs) in polar regions. Because the conversion of inorganic Hg(II) to MMHg is primarily a microbial process, climate warming may accelerate rates of MMHg production in freshwater ecosystems in polar regions, including ponds likely to form on the tundra following permafrost melt. We also have evidence suggesting that dimethyl Hg (DMHg), produced deep in oceans and brought to the surface in polar upwelling zones, may be the ultimate source of MMHg to polar marine ecosystems. DMHg is volatile and likely photolysed to MMHg once fluxed to the atmosphere through open water regions in the sea ice. Under climate warming scenarios, size of open water regions, and length of the open water season, will increase, likely resulting in increased levels of MMHg in some Arctic fishes and marine mammals used as food by northern peoples. Here we propose to quantify carbon, nutrient and MMHg cycling in unvegetated glacier systems and on vegetated tundra underlain by permafrost. We will use micrometeorological eddy covariance flux tower systems to quantify net CO2 flux from the surface of these two polar features. We will also quantify the flux of DMHg from polar oceans. Overall, our proposed research will provide a mechanistic understanding of the current status of carbon, nutrient and Hg cycling in polar regions, such that we can forecast changes certain to occur as a result of a warming climate, and identify potential threats to the health and traditional ways of life of northern peoples.

What significant advance(s) in relation to the IPY themes and targets can be anticipated from this project?
We will make significant advances in four of the six IPY themes. Our proposed research on the biogeochemical cycling of carbon, nutrients and MMHg in polar regions will provide baseline data for three key polar features (glaciers, permafrost, sea ice), allowing us to forecast changes in these cycles certain to occur as a result of a warming climate. By studying net CO2 fluxes from polar landscapes, we can identify potential positive feedbacks on global climate change. Our mercury contaminant research will also directly address the impacts of climate change on the health and traditional ways of life of northern peoples.

What international collaboration is involved in this project?
We are tentatively proposing to collaborate with Dr. Sean Fitzsimons (University of Otago, New Zealand) for comparative studies in Antarctica, and with Dr. Alex Wolfe (Quaternary Geology, The University Centre in Svalbard) for marine studies in Norwegian Territory.

FIELD ACTIVITY DETAILS

Geographical location(s) for the proposed field activities:
We propose fieldwork on Ellesmere Island glaciers (e.g., John Evans) and permafrost sites near Lake Hazen, Quttinirpaaq National Park. Marine Hg research will encompass the Arctic Ocean, Baffin Bay, Hudson Bay, and Norwegian Sea. We also propose fieldwork at glacial and lacustrine sites in the McMurdo Dry Valleys, Antarctica.

Approximate timeframe(s) for proposed field activities:
Arctic: 04/07 – 08/07      04/08 – 08/08      
Antarctic: 11/07 – 01/08      11/08 – 12/08      

Significant facilities will be required for this project:
The Polar Continental Shelf Program will likely provide logistic support for fieldwork on Ellesmere Island. To work on marine systems, we hope to receive icebreaker support through the ArcticNet program, and logistic support from the University Centre in Svalbard. Antarctica New Zealand will tentatively provide logistical support in Antarctica.

Will the project leave a legacy of infrastructure?
Although minor infrastructure facilities may be required for the short periods of time that we are at particular field locations (e.g., sheds, tents), at this time we expect that our research will leave no lasting legacy of infrastructure or environmental impacts.

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

We anticipate logistics for this project will be secured through the Polar Continental Shelf Program, ArcticNet (icebreaker), NSERC, Canadian Foundation for Innovation, Environment Canada and the Military (Alert, Nunavut), the Canadian Circumpolar Institute, commercial airlines for shipping, and Antarctica New Zealand for Antarctic logistical support.

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. The CSC has initially sorted this pre-proposal into: Changing Chemistry in Polar Regions; Processes controlling the pathways of contaminants into the Arctic Major components of our preliminary and ongoing research programs, which have led to the new and exciting research proposed here, have already been endorsed by NSERC, ArcticNet, the Polar Continental Shelf Program, Nunavut Research Institute, Canadian Circumpolar Institute, Parks Canada, and Manitoba Hydro.

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

This project will be a new component of ongoing research programs, in which we have already collected very preliminary data on the biogeochemical cycling of carbon, nutrients and mercury in polar regions. This preliminary data has raised numerous new hypotheses that we have outlined in our proposed project summary.

How will the project be organised and managed?
This relatively small project will be a fully collaborative endeavour, self-managed amongst the principle investigators listed below, with V. St.Louis (Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alberta) as the lead contact person. Principle investigators will each have a training component to their specific research program, involving graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, summer research assistants and, when possible, individuals from northern communities. We envision formal group meetings at least twice during the duration of this study. International collaborators will meet during the field season.

What are the initial plans of the project for addressing the education, outreach and communication issues outlined in the Framework document?
We will primarily work with the Nunavut Research Institute, Indian and Northern Affairs Canada, and ArcticNet to disseminate important results from our research program to northern communities, as well as publish our findings in peer-reviewed journals. We will also endeavour to hire northern community members to help in the field

What are the initial plans of the project to address data management issues (as outlined in the Framework document?
Initially, it will be the responsibility of individual principle investigators and their students to summarize research results, which may then be made available to other researchers through central databases, secure websites and scientific publications. We will also follow guidelines suggested by IPY for management and dissemination of data.

How is it proposed to fund the project?
We currently estimate cost of the proposed research (excluding logistic support) to be $350,000 per year. We have already secured about $65,000 per year through ArcticNet, NSERC, Environment Canada, Canadian Circumpolar Institute, and Manitoba Hydro. We therefore anticipate requesting ~$285,000 per year from IPY for each of 2007 and 2008.

Is there additional information you wish to provide?
Climate change and contaminants are two major issues influencing the traditional ways of life of northern communities. We have initiated preliminary research into the project outlined here, and feel that we have sufficient evidence to suggest that we need a much more detailed mechanistic understanding of the current status of carbon, nutrient and Hg cycling in polar regions. Without such contemporary information, we will not be able to fully identify potential threats to the health and traditional ways of life of northern peoples that is certain to occur as the result of climate change.

PROPOSER DETAILS

Prof  Vincent  St.Louis
Department of Biological Sciences
University of Alberta
Edmonton, Alberta
T6G 2E9
Canada

Tel: (780) 492-9386
Mobile: no
Fax: (780) 492-9234
Email:

Other project members and their affiliation