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SSF-Svalbard Science Forum

STudies of environmental footprint in Brøggerdalen After Rocket launching in Ny-Ålesund RiS-ID: 11599

Awarded: NOK 29,023

This Arctic Field Grant will cover essential fieldwork in RIS-ID project 11599 connected to my master project within the international master program in Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry at Department of Chemistry NTNU. Main goal is to study the potential impact of the recent rocket launching activity in Ny-Ålesund. The master project will collect overbank sediments and soil samples within the booster impacts areas and surroundings. Initial sampling autumn 2020 have indicated elevated levels of cadmium and PCB138. The initial studies however are based on very limited number of samples. In this master project a comprehensive sampling in relevant area will be conducted, and studies of a range of trace metals as well as PCBs will be included. Quantitative data on selected pollutants (PCBs and heavy metals) will be achieved from soil and overbank sediments samples collected through this planned fieldwork. Samples from Brøggerdalen are planned to be collected during August 2020. Additionally, background samples will be collected from more remote areas (close to Midtre Lovénbreen/Pedersbreen). Samples will be collected in gradients starting 200 meters from the centre of the booster impact areas entering from NW towards SE bearing. Samples will be collected at points located at each 25 meters towards the booster areas samples as well as 10 samples inside each of the booster impact centre areas (approx. 25 meters in diameter). At four locations outside the booster impact area also parallel samples will be included. From the background area additionally 10 samples will be collected. In total for the two booster impact areas and the background area 46 samples will be collected.

Funding scheme:

SSF-Svalbard Science Forum