NWT RESEARCH DATABASE

Regions: Inuvialuit Settlement Region

Tags: contaminants, environmental impact, health, waste disposal

Project Description: Given the threats of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and their widespread appearance in marine mammals and far northern communities, identifying the sources of these compounds and of various PBDE congeners in air, water and soil are of utmost importance. Potential ecological and human health risks, and increasing concentrations of PBDEs in the environment require early implementation of containment. The study looks at the leachability of PBDEs from e-wastes and examines landfill sites to determine the fate of PBDEs. The overall goal of this project is to obtain a better understanding of how brominated flame-retardants (specifically PBDEs) are entering the environment in the Canadian Arctic. Researchers will look at their generation, use, consumption, transport and accumulation patterns in order to increase the understanding of global transport of these compounds among different environmental media. The sampling program will involve collection of leachate and water runoff in predetermined solid waste site locations in Inuvik, Tuktoyaktuk and Yellowknife. The locations will be chosen due to their likelihood of contributing PBDE contaminant deposition. Most of the solid waste disposal sites, from which samples shall be collected, contain leachate discharged into the water body nearest to each site. A background water sample for each location will be collected as well. GPS locations will be recorded for all samples as part of the field program. Samples will be stored in ice packs in coolers for transport to the laboratory, and in freezers at the lab while waiting for analysis The research results will be shared with the Aurora Research Institute and any other agency or community that desires the information. Sampling will be conducted from August 4 to August 15, 2006 within the municipal bounds of Inuvik, Tuktoyaktuk and Yellowknife.