NWT RESEARCH DATABASE

Regions: Inuvialuit Settlement Region, Gwich'in Settlement Area

Tags: climate change, aquatic food web, oil spill, ecological risks, oil

Objective(s): 1) to understand the fate and behaviour of oil spills (fresh, weathered and dispersed) in the Arctic waters with consideration of environmental drivers in the Arctic; 2) to assess the associated ecotoxicological effect in food webs at multiple trophic levels; and 3) to evaluate and gain new knowledge about the fate, behaviour and biological effects of new fuels if spilled in the Arctic aquatic environment.

Project Description: This licence has been issued for the scientific research application No. 6156. Project Objectives: • The main objectives are 1) to understand the fate and behaviour of oil spills (fresh, weathered and dispersed) in the Arctic waters (Mackenzie Delta/Estuary on the coastal areas of the Beaufort Sea) with consideration of environmental drivers in the Arctic (e.g., bathymetry, air/water temperature, salinity, nutrients, turbidity, ice); 2) to assess the associated ecotoxicological effect in food webs at multiple trophic levels; and 3) to evaluate and gain new knowledge about the fate, behaviour and biological effects of new fuels if spilled in the Arctic aquatic environment. Both conventional oils (marine diesel and heavy fuel oil or HFO) and new fuels (LSFO/VLSFO/ULSFO and biodiesel) will be examined (subject to sample availability). • The project will target some emerging issues in the oil spill field such as the transport, fate, and impact of new fuels, the pathways and impact on food webs in Arctic estuaries and nearshore environments, etc. The knowledge is particularly missing and urgently needed for Arctic waters, giving the growing shipping activities in the Arctic. • By partnering and working with Mackenzie Delta communities, the project will apply a co-production of knowledge approach by incorporating Indigenous and Western Knowledge into the research, create training and employment opportunities for local community members/students in field work (e.g., on ARF Research Vessels), produce plain language state of Knowledge document that will use Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK), and improve their understanding of oil spill impacts on shoreline ecosystems, etc. • The project will gather and team up disciplinary researchers, NWT communities, response organizations and governments to not only improve our knowledge and capabilities in the Arctic but also build people networks and partnerships to support oil spill research and response practice for Canadian Arctic waters. • This project also aims to train highly qualified personnel (HQP) from university graduate students and young researchers to local college and high-school students and young personnel in the communities as the next-generation professionals in oil spill research and preparedness/response practice as well as other related areas related to enhance Canadian expertise and capacity in the fields and support sustainability of Canadian Arctic waters. Anticipated Benefits: • The project will benefit the Canadian oil spill community and the country by filling some important knowledge gaps about oil spills (conventional and new fuels) and impacts in the Arctic estuary and coastal environments, improving understanding of the fate, transport, and impact of oil spills (with or without dispersants) and providing scientific evidence for informing day-to-day response decision making in the short term and advancing response strategies and regulatory development in the long term. • By thoroughly evaluating the impacts of oil spills on Arctic aquatic ecosystems through the food web, the project will provide critical findings and knowledge to address the challenge of understanding spill vulnerability and ecological impact in the Arctic waters and support the protection of ecosystems and Indigenous communities in Canada. • Although this project focuses on the Mackenzie River Delta and the coastal of the Beaufort Sea, the developed methods, techniques and findings would be valuable and expandable to the other Arctic water/regions in Canada (such as Hudson Bay Lowlands across Manitoba and Ontario and the coastal areas in Labrador) and even worldwide. • The project will provide unique and cross-disciplinary training environments for HQP through the integration of lab research and field work in the Arctic and equip HQP with appropriate knowledge and skills for their professional career particularly in the fields of oil science, environmental, ecology, ecotoxicology, marine science, Arctic science, climate change, etc. • The project will build and grow partnerships with Indigenous communities in the Mackenzie River Delta and benefit all involved by exchanging/sharing Knowledge (Western and Indigenous) through a co-production of knowledge approach, providing work, training and educational opportunities for both local and university students, professionals, and the public, building local monitoring, sampling and spill response capacities (reporting/monitoring abilities and trained people), and improve the resilience of local communities and their understanding and responding skills. The field studies will target representative sites along the Mackenzie Delta/Estuary and nearshore areas of the Beaufort Sea. These sites will be selected based on a thorough literature review and consultation with local communities, authorities, spill experts, responders from response organizations (ROs), governments, and the petroleum industry, as well as other subject matter experts. Key considerations will include sites with historical spills, active or abandoned exploration/production wells, drilling waste sumps, high spill risks, community concerns due to oil transportation, production and storage, and the vulnerability of local ecosystems in the Mackenzie River Delta. During the initial phase (Q4 2024-Q1 2025), project kick-off and preparation activities will take place, including the kick-off meeting, project team meetings, experimental design, material/supplies/equipment preparation, instrument calibration, and the formation of the Advisory Committee. Community engagement efforts will also begin, involving virtual and in-person meetings/workshops with Indigenous communities and local authorities to introduce the project, collect feedback, apply for necessary licenses, and finalize site selection. From Q1 2025 to Q4 2026, field monitoring, sampling, and measurement (Task 2.1) will be conducted at the selected sites. This involves preparing for field sampling and investigating the source, distribution, and concentration of oil contaminants in the Mackenzie Delta and coastal areas of the Beaufort Sea. Data collected will be used to validate and refine lab-based experiments (Tasks 1.1-1.3), which will be conducted from Q4 2024 to Q4 2025. These experiments will provide essential data on degradation products and concentration levels, which will inform toxicity analysis (Task 2.2) and food web analysis (Task 2.3). Controlled lab-based experiments will simulate the impact of dispersed conventional and new fuels under mimic Arctic environments (Task 3.1). Ecotoxicological analysis (Task 3.2) and food web analysis (Task 3.3) of dispersed oil will be performed to understand the long-term impacts on ecosystems and communities. These activities will take place from Q2 2025 to Q4 2026. Throughout the project, continuous engagement with Indigenous communities will ensure the incorporation of traditional knowledge and address community concerns. Results will be disseminated through publications, presentations, and regular updates to stakeholders and the Advisory Committee. By providing these detailed descriptions and ensuring that all activities are clearly linked to the overall research objectives, we aim to address the comments and ensure a well-structured and coherent study plan. The proposed project will employ a robust methodology that integrates field sampling, laboratory analysis, and community engagement to comprehensively study the transport, fate, and biological effects of oil spills in the Mackenzie River Delta and the nearshore areas of the Beaufort Sea. This approach addresses the pressing environmental challenges specific to the Canadian Arctic estuarine and coastal ecosystems. Sampling activities will be strategically planned and carried out with the collaboration of the Arctic Research Foundation (ARF) and the active participation of local communities, ensuring efficient implementation and alignment with regional priorities. Sampling Procedures Field sampling in this study will focus on water, sediment, and biological samples collected from strategically selected sites. These sites will represent areas with historical spill events, active or abandoned exploration wells, and zones of high ecological significance as identified in consultation with local communities and experts. Water Sampling Water samples will be collected to evaluate the concentration and distribution of hydrocarbons and other oil-related contaminants. Sampling will be conducted using 500 mL amber glass bottles with Teflon-lined caps to minimize light-induced degradation of hydrocarbons. Sulfuric acid will be added to adjust the pH below 2.0 for preservation, ensuring sample stability during transport. A Niskin water sampler will be employed to collect samples from multiple depths, including surface, mid-column, and near-bottom layers. Sampling locations will follow a grid-based design with precise GPS marking to ensure representative estuarine and nearshore environment coverage. Sediment Sampling Sediment samples will provide insights into contaminant deposition and accumulation over time. Standard grab samplers and core samplers will be used depending on the substrate type and site conditions. Sediment cores will be taken at varying depths, typically between 0–30 cm, to assess contamination layers. Samples will be sieved using mesh sizes between 63 µm and 2 mm to separate fine and coarse fractions and stored in pre-cleaned containers at -20°C. Sampling efforts will focus on estuarine mixing zones, biologically sensitive habitats, and high-risk areas near historical spill sites. Biological Sampling Biological samples will focus on species critical to Arctic food webs and those of cultural significance to Indigenous communities. Sampling will include fish (e.g., Arctic char, cod), benthic organisms (e.g., blue mussels, green sea urchins), and plankton. Non-lethal sampling methods, such as nets or traps, will be prioritized for fish, while benthic organisms will be collected using grab samplers. Plankton samples will be gathered using plankton nets with mesh sizes ranging from 20–200 µm. All biological specimens will be preserved on ice or in ethanol, depending on the intended downstream analyses, such as stable isotope studies or toxicity testing. We also consider obtaining fish samples directly from the local communities instead of sampling based on the communities' comments. Seasonal Considerations Sampling will account for the region’s extreme and variable seasonal conditions. Winter sampling will involve drilling through ice to access water and sediment layers. Spring thaw sampling will focus on monitoring the effects of ice melt on contaminant transport, while summer open-water sampling will provide a stable baseline for comparison. Community Collaboration This project will actively involve local communities, including Lutsël K’é, Hay River, Fort Resolution, Fort Providence, and the Mackenzie Delta communities of Inuvik and Tuktoyaktuk. Indigenous knowledge will guide site selection and sampling priorities, ensuring that the research aligns with community concerns and ecological significance. Training sessions will equip local participants with the skills needed for sampling, fostering capacity building and long-term sustainability. Community members will participate in field activities alongside researchers, providing invaluable insights and strengthening the co-production of knowledge. Laboratory Analysis Samples collected during fieldwork will undergo detailed chemical and biological analysis at the NRPOP Lab at Memorial University. Water and sediment samples will be analyzed for hydrocarbon concentrations, degradation products, and associated contaminants using advanced instruments such as gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS/MS) and high-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS). Biological samples will be subjected to ecotoxicological assays to evaluate impacts on growth, survival, and reproduction. Stable isotope analyses (e.g., d13C and d15N) will be conducted to trace contaminant pathways through Arctic food webs. Quality Assurance and Quality Control Rigorous QA/QC protocols will be implemented throughout the project to ensure data reliability and reproducibility. Field duplicates will be collected at selected sites, and blanks will be included to identify potential contamination during sample handling or transport. Analytical instruments will be calibrated using internal and external standards, and recovery rates will be calculated to validate the accuracy of the results. All data will be securely stored on encrypted servers, ensuring compliance with ethical guidelines and community data-sharing agreements. By integrating advanced scientific methodologies with community-driven approaches, this project aims to generate critical data and actionable insights that will support evidence-based decision-making, environmental stewardship, and the resilience of Arctic ecosystems and communities. This project adopts a comprehensive and inclusive communication strategy to ensure that all stakeholders, including Indigenous communities, government agencies, research partners, and the broader public, are effectively engaged throughout the project. The plan is designed to foster collaboration, co-create knowledge, and disseminate results in meaningful and accessible ways that address scientific objectives and community needs. Key to the success of this initiative is the integration of local knowledge and expertise. Our partnership with the Arctic Research Foundation (ARF) and collaboration with Indigenous communities, including Aklavik, Inuvik, and Tuktoyaktuk, ensures that the research remains relevant to regional priorities while also addressing the pressing needs of the communities involved. The communication plan comprises the following core components: Indigenous Community Engagement We will establish an ongoing dialogue with all the Indigenous communities involved in this project to ensure that their knowledge, priorities, and concerns are fully integrated into the research process. Engagement activities will include regular meetings (both in-person and virtual), workshops, and community presentations, creating opportunities for two-way knowledge exchange. The project team, in collaboration with ARF, will work closely with community members from Aklavik, Inuvik, and Tuktoyaktuk, to co-design sampling activities and field investigations. To enhance community participation, we will provide training and employment opportunities for Indigenous students and local members, enabling them to contribute to sampling, monitoring, and preliminary analysis. This approach strengthens local capacities and fosters a sense of shared ownership of the project outcomes. Results and findings will be presented in plain-language reports and visual formats to ensure accessibility for all participants. The project will actively engage government agencies, regulatory bodies, and other stakeholders to align the research with broader environmental priorities and ensure that the results contribute to evidence-based policy-making. Regular progress updates will be shared with the Project Advisory Committee, which includes representatives from Aklavik, Inuvik, and Tuktoyaktuk, alongside ARF, government, and academic institutions. These updates will include interim findings, challenges encountered, and adjustments to project activities. Stakeholders will also be invited to participate in workshops and conferences to provide feedback and discuss the implications of the research. The results of this project will be widely disseminated to scientific, policy, and public audiences to maximize impact. Academic dissemination will include publishing findings in high-impact journals and presenting them at conferences like the ArcticNet Annual Scientific Meeting. Public outreach will involve engaging with local media, organizing public information sessions in Aklavik, Inuvik, and Tuktoyaktuk, and creating educational materials such as brochures, videos, and fact sheets. A dedicated section of the NRPOP and ARF websites will host project updates, summaries of findings, and downloadable reports. Social media platforms will be used to share progress and promote public awareness of the research and its implications. This project emphasizes the co-production of knowledge by integrating Indigenous and Western scientific approaches. Community members from Aklavik, Inuvik, and Tuktoyaktuk, will not only participate in field activities but also contribute to the interpretation of findings, ensuring that the outcomes are directly relevant to local needs. Traditional Knowledge will be respected and incorporated in accordance with OCAP® principles, ensuring that data sovereignty and cultural sensitivities are upheld. By adopting this inclusive and collaborative communication approach, the project aims to build trust, enhance local capacities, and generate actionable knowledge that benefits scientific understanding and community resilience. The findings will support informed decision-making and policy development, addressing environmental challenges in the Mackenzie Delta and the broader Arctic region. Travel arrangements for this project are carefully planned to ensure the successful execution of field sampling, community engagement, and capacity-building activities. The travel schedule aligns with the seasonal accessibility and environmental conditions of the study sites in Aklavik, Inuvik, and Tuktoyaktuk. A total of six trips are planned over the three-year duration of the project, with two trips scheduled each year. The fieldwork for this study will be conducted from: April 30 - December 31, 2025