The Arctic in Flux: How has Recent Climate Change Affected Contaminant Transport and Uptake in Aquatic Arctic Systems?
Principal Investigator: Blais, Jules M (7)
Licence Number: 15275
Organization: University of Ottawa
Licensed Year(s): 2013 2012
Issued: Jun 24, 2013
Project Team: Linda Kimpe, Neal Michelutti, Sophie Chiasson-Gould, Jenny Korosi, Josh Thienpont

Objective(s): To determine how the recent and dramatic climate changes in Arctic freshwater have affected the transport and fate of anthropogenic contaminants to freshwater systems, two of the largest threats facing northern communities and ecosystems.

Project Description: This research will determine how the recent and dramatic climate changes in Arctic freshwater have affected the transport and fate of anthropogenic contaminants to freshwater systems, two of the largest threats facing northern communities and ecosystems. This research will develop new tools to examine how the fate of anthropogenic contaminants is affected in Arctic regions under different climate change conditions. Specifically, this research will: (1) determine chronologies of pollutant deposition in Arctic lakes strategically selected to span a gradient in climate change, and assess temporal trends in relation to ecosystem productivity and structure (e.g., beta-diversity and assemblage structure of diatoms) and organic matter deposition; (2) determine how warming-related factors affect the delivery of dissolved organic carbon in Arctic lakes; and (3) develop microbial bioreporters that can be used to assess the bioav... Show moreailability of pollutants (e.g. mercury). Lakes will be accessed mainly by helicopter under Polar Continental Shelf Program logistical support (already obtained) and accessed using an inflatable boat. Sediment cores will be collected using gravity corers (3 inch diameter tubes that collect sediment from the bottom of lakes). This procedure is non-intrusive and causes no harmful environmental impacts. Lake water will be collected for water testing (nutrients, metals, algal pigments, organic chemicals). Benthic invertebrates (snails, insect larvae, small crustaceans) will be collected for analysis of organic and metallic contaminants. The research team have a long history of collaboration with Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada (AANDC) on lakes affected by thermokarst near Yellowknife and the Mackenzie Delta upland region. AANDC will work with our group to characterize lakes according to the state of permafrost degradation near shorelines, assist in site selection and field design, and collaborate on field implementation of the experimental studies. The research team collaborate also with the NWT Geoscience office and the Cumulative Impact Monitoring Program with Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada. The research team have partners with AANDC who will communicate findings to the NWT and researchers from the University of Ottawa, Queen's University and Carleton University will also participate in public presentations. The fieldwork for this study will be conducted from July 14, 2013 to July 28, 2013. Show less