Unpublished

The objectives of this project are:

1) to continue measuring levels and trends of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) in Canadian arctic air and water;

2) to develop a passive water monitoring program for POPs in the Beaufort Sea and

3) to screen for new and emerging compounds of concern in the Canadian arctic.

Terms of Use of the Polar Data Catalogue: https://www.polardata.ca/pdcinput/public/termsofuse

eng; CAN

Summary: Contamination of the Canadian arctic ecosystem with manmade chemicals has been well documented for air, water and sediments but time and location trends are not well established especially for new and emerging compounds of concern. The four types of chemicals we propose to study are 1) pesticides, 2) flame retardants, 3) fluorine containing compounds and 4) fossil fuel related compounds. The first three types are also called persistent organic pollutants (POPs) as they do not easily breakdown in the environment, are carbon based and are detrimental to the environment and humans. The major concern with POPs is that they are taken up by arctic biota including fish, seals and whales so when traditional foods are eaten, northerners are exposed to POPs.

For the pesticides, flame retardants and fluorinated compounds there are two types: those that are still registered for use and the ones that have been banned so they are no longer used. We plan to measure both types, this monitoring is key to evaluate the effectiveness of national and international regulations.

Although the pesticides, flame retardants and fluorinated compounds are not produced nor used in the north, they are found in every part of Canadian arctic environment. They are transported globally through air and water currents that originate from the southern areas where these chemicals are in use.

Fossil fuel related compounds are produced when gas, diesel and oil are burned and when oil and gas is extracted Research Program(s): ArcticNet,NCP. For further information: liisa.jantunen@canada.ca liisa.jantunen@canada.ca

eng; CAN

North American Profile of ISO 19115:2003

2009-01-01

https://www.polardata.ca/pdcsearch/PDCSearchDOI.jsp?doi_id=12557