Expressions of Intent for International Polar Year 2007-2008 Activities

Expression of Interest Details

PROPOSAL INFORMATION

CANADA #225: Fate of the newly deposited mercury in the Arctic: field, lab and global modelling studies.  

Outline
Mercury is a potent neurotoxicant, especially in its methylated state. Recent findings have established that the Arctic is a sink for Hg (Ariya et al. 2004). The accumulation of Hg in Canadian northern ecosystems is particularly problematic at springtime, when a phenomenon referred to as atmospheric Mercury Depletion Events (MDE) occurs. During these events, massive amounts of elemental Hg are oxidized to Hg(II) and deposited on snow as a result of changes in atmospheric chemistry resulting from polar sunrise. Although it is now clear that Hg accumulates in the Arctic, its post-depositional dynamics is still largely unknown, and no direct link can be currently made between Hg deposition on snowpacks and the contamination of arctic foodwebs. Also, it seems that MDEs are mostly restricted to coastal areas and that there are important differences in depositional patterns and snow chemistry between inland and coastal areas. We therefore anticipate that post-depositional dynamics of Hg in both areas will markedly differ. Also, the Arctic seems to be highly sensitive to climate change. Changes in temperature, cloud cover, and precipitation will undoubtedly affect the cycling of mercury. This project will assess factors controlling the transformations and fate of Hg after deposition, in both inland and coastal locations. This will be accomplished by linking laboratory experimentation under highly controlled conditions to field experiments and observations conducted in the High Arctic. Since most Hg deposition occurs at springtime at below or near zero temperatures, our emphasis will be put on Hg/snow and Hg/meltwater interactions. The results will serve as inputs for the modeling of the fate of Hg at the regional and global scale, using a model developed by Environment Canada (GRAHM). Scenarios of changes of atmospheric conditions linked to climate change will eventually be tested for their impacts on Hg cycling, in collaboration with colleagues working on climate change modeling. This research will lead to knowledge directly usable by the arctic community, since we will be able to assess the conditions favoring the formation of hotspots of Hg in the arctic, these hotpots being defined as sites of high Hg deposition and availability to organisms. Our objectives are to address the following key questions: (1) How does elemental and oxidized Hg interact with surfaces at the air/snow interface? (2) What factors modify Hg bioavailability in snow and snowmelt water? (3) How is Hg speciation and redox state affected by snowmelt? (4) What is the impact of coastal and inland processes of mercury interaction at the air/surface interface and in the surface layer on the Arctic as well global Hg cycling? (5) How could this research work improve scientific understanding of the impact of climate change on the Hg cycling? These questions are directly aligned with IPY’s themes 1 to 4.

What significant advance(s) in relation to the IPY themes and targets can be anticipated from this project?
The research will yield significant advances in 4 themes of the IPY (Themes 1 to 4). Field experiments will yield information on the current state of the polar environment with regards to Hg deposition and post-depositional transformations (Theme 1). By fully integrating field experiments, with state-of-the-art atmospheric process studies performed in the lab, and by directly integrating these results in a format usable in a regional and global Hg model at Environment Canada, this project proposes an innovative and efficient initiative (Theme 4). The modelling component of the project will enable us to link polar processes to global patterns of Hg distribution (Theme 3). Also, we intend to investigate, in collaboration to other groups, the impact of climate change on Hg cycling, by testing different modelling scenarios (Theme 2).

What international collaboration is involved in this project?
Researchers involved in this project have a network of international collaborators working in polar- related issues (particularly in France & Germany) and for atmospheric particulate Hg in China. Detailed projects will be described in the final proposal.

FIELD ACTIVITY DETAILS

Geographical location(s) for the proposed field activities:
The main field stations in Canada would be at Resolute Bay, in Nunavik and at Alert.

Approximate timeframe(s) for proposed field activities:
Arctic: 01/07-12/08            
Antarctic: n/a

Significant facilities will be required for this project:
The study of contaminants in the Arctic would greatly benefit from the establishment of a ultra-trace clean laboratory at a central location. This kind of facility will benefit many on-going initiatives. We propose the installation of an ultra-cleant laboratory (large trailer) at the Resolute Bay Polar Continental Shelf Project Base. This laboratory would be equipped with a trace-metal laminar flow hood, and basic analytical intstruments for environmental research.

Will the project leave a legacy of infrastructure?
The above-mentionned laboratory should be left as a legacy after the termination of the project, and be useable by scientists in the future.

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

In the initial phase logistical aspects regarding the clean lab could be managed by our team. After IPY, the logistics could be handled by a Canadian agency.

Has the project been "endorsed" at a national or international level?
Although direct endorsement for the IPY project has not yet been directly sought, we have obtained endorsement on a preliminary version of the project from a high-ranking official at Environment Canada (Air Quality Branch).

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?


We have started a polar initiative on Hg as part of a CFCAS funded program, three years ago, an have allowed us to establish (with other teams) that the Arctic was clearly a sink for Hg using our novel kinetic data, and a detailed global circulation model focused on the high Arctic. The new proposed initiative will built on this initial one, but with a strong focus on post-depositional dynamics of Hg and on regional and global modelling in a changing environment

How will the project be organised and managed?
. The three parts of our approach (laboratory experiments, field observation and modeling) will each be managed by one member of our multidisciplinary team. This team has a history of successful collaboration, as exemplified by co-publications, and meets on a regular basis to insure maximal integration. Marc Amyot is a field biogeochemist and a Canadian authority in the area of aqueous redox chemistry of Hg. He has 15 years of experience in trace metal research, and 10 years of experience in polar field research. Parisa Ariya is an atmospheric chemist at McGill University. She is a holder of Canada Research Chair II at McGill (William Dawson Scholar) and FCAR strategic scientist professor. She is an authority in chemical kinetics of atmospheric reactions. Ashu Dastoor is an environmental modeller at Environment Canada, with 20 years of experience in environmental modeling. She will act as a collaborator on this project. She specializes in global and regional numerical atmospheric modeling.

What are the initial plans of the project for addressing the education, outreach and communication issues outlined in the Framework document?
We plan to present a plan for education, outreach and communication issues in the full proposal. One of us (Amyot) is currently the theme leader for integrative project on Hg cycling, human exposure to Hg, and social consequences in the St. Lawrence River, in which is large effort is being made towards environmental education. We intend to learn from this experiment in order to establish a realistic and successful plan for the IPY project.

What are the initial plans of the project to address data management issues (as outlined in the Framework document?
We are committed to the principles and aims of IPY data management. We intend to rapidly disclose all our data, and provide them to interested data banks. Our data will also be available for incorporation in atmospheric models.

How is it proposed to fund the project?
We intend to seek funding through national funding agencies (NSERC, CFCAS, and CFI).

Is there additional information you wish to provide?
Our research will directly tackle key processes needed to understand the interaction between atmospheric and snow chemistry with respect to a global contaminant of major concern. Note that the Canadian Arctic is subjected to increased atmospheric transport of Hg from Asian and East European countries. We currently do no fully understand what environmental consequences this degradation of air quality will have on the health of arctic ecosystems. Our study on post-depositional Hg speciation and bioavailability will enhance our ability to assess the risk associated with this threat to the Canadian environment.

PROPOSER DETAILS

Professor Marc Amyot
Université de Montréal - Département de sciences biologiques
90 Vincent d’Indy, D-223
Montreal, QC
H2V 2S9
Canada

Tel: 514-343-7496
Mobile: no
Fax: 514-343-2293
Email:

Other project members and their affiliation