Expressions of Intent for International Polar Year 2007-2008 Activities

Expression of Interest Details

PROPOSAL INFORMATION

Arctic risk assessment of PAHs  (ArcRAP)

Outline
Background - Risk assessment of contaminants is today based on both models, such as QSAR, and experimental data. The experimental work is focussed on single species or communities that represent temperate areas. Furthermore, effects of contaminants are dependent on the environment they are discharged into, that is, dependent on environmental variables such as temperature, incident of light, nutrients, organic matter, and the biological community present. Even for risk assessment in temperate areas it is acknowledged that only single-species, laboratory test are not sufficient to describe or predict potential impacts, but that environmental variables must also be taken in to account. For Arctic areas virtually no ecotoxicological effects data exists. The research effort has mainly been on fate of contaminants, but very little on effects of the contaminants present. This project is so far the only one that considers the effect of pollutants in the Arctic.Project ideaIn order to investigate if special consideration is to be taken in risk assessment of pollutants in the Arctic environment, effects of chosen substances will be compared using temperate and arctic marine communities at different trophic levels such as algae, zoo-plankton and bacteria. PAHs, which come both from crude oil discharge as well as from incineration, will be used as model substances. These are also of special interest for the Arctic environment, both with respect to sources and because some of them are phototoxic, that is, their toxicity increases with the incident of UV-light. The experimental work will include ecotoxicological experiments in the Arctic using Arctic communities, using the same methodology and approach as is presently used under Danish conditions to facilitate comparison. Furthermore, biomarkers that respond to PAHs, such as EROD-activity and PAH-metabolites in biota, will be adjusted to suit Arctic conditions and biota and used both to investigate present impact as well as for comparison of sensitivities between Arctic and temperate species. The project is multi-disciplinary involving, ecology, chemistry, ecotoxicology, modelling, and risk assessment.

What significant advance(s) in relation to the IPY themes and targets can be anticipated from this project?
This proposal is in compliance with most themes in within the IPY since it will bring insights on the sensitivity towards anthropogenic impact on the Artic Marine Environment and provide a tool for future risk assessment of any chemicals. It also takes in to consideration the present impact of PAHs and can be used to forecast possible scenarios should the impact increase. The proposal aims to include students both from Denmark and Greenland through the co-operation with ARTEK. Furthermore an Collaboration with Professor W. Landis at Western Washington University, an expert in risk assessment with experience from Arctic work such as the Port Valdez site in Alaska, the shipping port for the Alaskan Pipeline, as well as sites in western Canada.

What international collaboration is involved in this project?
The project includes collaboration with Professor W. Landis at Western Washington University, an expert in risk assessment with experience from Arctic work the fjord of Port Valdez as well as with the Greenland department of ARTEK (Department of Arctic Technology, DTU)

FIELD ACTIVITY DETAILS

Geographical location(s) for the proposed field activities:
The project can benefit from ARTEK’s involvement with the technical school in Sisimiut, Greenland. The Sisimiut area covers both areas of antropogenic impact (town, airfield, industry) as well as accessibility to more remote pristine areas. If the possibility is given to work at other sites through the collaboration with other projects this is welcomed.

Approximate timeframe(s) for proposed field activities:
Arctic: 04/07-04/07      07/07-08/07      07/08-08/08
Antarctic: n/a

Significant facilities will be required for this project:
The project only demands simple laboratory facilities, which are met in Sisimiut. Similar facilities at other locations would be equally suitable.

Will the project leave a legacy of infrastructure?
The project will form a basis for future risk assessment based on effects of contaminants that can be applied both for fundamental research as well as for administrative purposes. Furthermore, the activities can bring an understanding of the impact of human activity at present to be used in education and planning at regional level.

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

Through the collaboration with ARKTEK, logistics can be arranged. Contacts are also taken to the Greenland directorate for possible contribution.

Has the project been "endorsed" at a national or international level?
NO - The project occurs on the Danish national list of proposals and a similar project proposal is under consideration in the Joint Committee. (Coorporation between Greenland and the US)

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

A similar proposal has been put to the Joint Committee, through ARTEK.

How will the project be organised and managed?
The project will be managed by the department of Marine Ecology, National Environmental Research Institute. The different parts and obligations will be divided between the project members, but the overall responsibility lies at NERI.

What are the initial plans of the project for addressing the education, outreach and communication issues outlined in the Framework document?
The educational part will include master students that participate in the project, as well as students at the ARTEK courses who will be given an opportunity to work with these issues during the post-graduate courses. Furthermore, the possibility to involve local fishermen and local council will be sought.

What are the initial plans of the project to address data management issues (as outlined in the Framework document?
There are no existing data bases for effect studies, why these data will be made public through the international science articles. However, where effects are assessed direct in the environment through biomarkers, the ICES database or similar body with be given the resulting data.

How is it proposed to fund the project?
Funding will be sought through national research programs and other funding sources open for these kinds of activities.

Is there additional information you wish to provide?
This is so far the only project in the IPY list that concerns effects of contaminants and not fate. We hope to establish contact with some of the relevant fate-projects as the true impact of contaminants in the Arctic never can be fully assessed unless both fate and effects are covered.

PROPOSER DETAILS

Ingela Dahllöf
Dep. of Marine Ecology, National Environmental Research Institute
Fredriksborgvej 399
4000 Roskilde
Denmark

Tel: +45 46 30 13 17
Mobile: +46 705 91 34 36
Fax: +45 46 30 11 12
Email:

Other project members and their affiliation