Trace Organic Contaminants in Arctic Snow and Aquatic Ecosystems

Regions: Inuvialuit Settlement Region, Gwich'in Settlement Area, Sahtu Settlement Area, Dehcho Region, North Slave Region, South Slave Region, Qikiqtaaluk Region, Kivalliq Region, Kitikmeot, Nunavut

Tags: contaminants, hydrology, snow, organic contaminants

Principal Investigator: Gregor, Dennis J. (7)
Licence Number: 12049
Organization: Lakes Research Branch, National Water Research Institute, Environment Canada
Licensed Year(s): 1992 1991 1991 1990
Issued: Jan 01, 1992
Project Team: Camilla Teixeira, Andrew Peters, Chris Spencer

Objective(s): To document the types and quantity of trace organic contaminants deposited annually to the arctic snow pact at 30 sites across the NWT; to determine how much of these contaminants remain in the snow annually and are released into the melt water and freshwater aquatic system and eventually the marine system by undertaking a detailed mass balance study of contaminants in a small watershed on east Cornwallis Island.

Project Description: Snow samples will be collected from approximately 30 sites across the NWT and Yukon in the spring of the year. This annual snow pack sample will allow an estimate of the quantity of organic contaminants that have been deposited over the winter season. To better understand the fate of these contaminants in the High Arctic, the researchers will undertake an intensive small basin study on Cornwallis Island.