NWT RESEARCH DATABASE

Regions: Inuvialuit Settlement Region, Gwich'in Settlement Area

Tags: contaminants, mercury

Objective(s): The long-term goal of our research program is to quantify the annual mass delivery of total mercury (THg; all forms of mercury in a sample) and methylmercury (MeHg) from the Mackenzie River to the Beaufort Sea.

Project Description: The long-term goal of the research program is to quantify the annual mass delivery of total mercury (THg; all forms of mercury in a sample) and methylmercury (MeHg) from the Mackenzie River to the Beaufort Sea. Accurate annual mercury (Hg) fluxes are currently not available from the Mackenzie River and represent a key, unmeasured source of Hg to the Beaufort Sea marine ecosystem. The specific objectives are to: 1) generate accurate annual THg and MeHg delivery estimates from the Mackenzie River to the Beaufort Sea; 2) assess the biogeochemical influence of the ecologically-rich floodplain of the Mackenzie Delta on the delivery of THg and MeHg from the Mackenzie River to the Beaufort Sea; and 3) assess changes in THg and MeHg export from the Mackenzie River over time using our results. The investigator intends to collect river water from several river sites in the Mackenzie River Delta region to assess total mercury (THg; all forms of mercury in a sample) and methylmercury (MeHg) concentrations. Six sites have been chosen so we can assess how the Mackenzie River Delta environment affects mercury amounts discharged to the Arctic Ocean: two river sites upstream of the Mackenzie River Delta (Mackenzie River at Tsiigehtchic and Peel River above Ft. McPherson); and four river sites exiting the delta (West, Middle, East, Reindeer channels of the Mackenzie River). A helicopter equipped with floats will allow the researcher to land on the water at each site so we can cleanly collect water into bottles by dipping them into the river water and filling them. The water in the sample bottles will then be shipped to the University of Alberta for analysis of the water for THg and MeHg. The investigator proposes to collect water from all river sites six times between mid-May and late August, 2010. Results will then be taken from chemistry analysis and combine them with river flow measurements to calculate total amounts of THg and MeHg being discharged at the site. By comparing the total amount of THg and MeHg being discharged upstream of the delta to the amount discharging downstream, the researcher will be able to assess how much THg and MeHg the delta either stores or releases as Mackenzie River water passes through the delta towards the Beaufort Sea. Through collaborators at SFU, local field assistants from the Inuvik Hunters and Trappers Committee will be hired to provide traditional knowledge and assistance during trips to sites in the Mackenzie Delta Region, especially during the period of ice cover on the Mackenzie River. The research program will not only provide insightful information for Northerners regarding an important contaminant, but also help local Northerners from Inuvik to sample water for trace metals in anticipation of similar work that will likely be required in association with the future Mackenzie Gas Project. The project will reach out to the local community using several different approaches. The researcher will present straightforward, clear communications of research results through email communications, community oral presentations or posters, or possibly through radio presentations and interviews. The investigator will send all potential material for presentations to the Northwest Territories Regional Contaminants Committee for feedback prior to printing, release or publication to ensure that the way in which research communications are delivered is appropriate and helpful to the communities. The collaborator from Simon Fraser University (SFU) in charge of field sampling (Jolie Gareis) has previously implemented collaborations and partnerships with the Arctic Borderlands Ecological Knowledge Co-op (Whitehorse, Yukon Territory) and the Gwich’in Renewable Resource Board. She has communicated her research results to these groups and the local residents of the Mackenzie Delta. The researcher will include the Hg study in any presentations being given or collaborations being initiated by various collaborators when visiting the Northern communities. In addition to oral presentations, the researcher will put together a poster-type presentation for school libraries or community centres. At the very minimum, this will consist of a glossy poster describing our research in simple terms, and translated for the community members to understand. The investigator is more than willing to implement any communication suggestions from the Aurora Research Institute and other interested parties. The fieldwork for this study will be conducted from May 15, 2010 to August 31, 2010.