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POLARPROG-Polarforskningsprogram

Impact of local PFAS sources on the ecosystem near Ny-Ålesund

Tildelt: kr 0,50 mill.

Historically there has been a main research focus on long-range transport of contaminants to northern latitudes. However, human presence in the Arctic has resulted in a considerable environmental impact through local sources. This comprises historic mining activities, landfilling of waste as well as activities related to today's human presence in Arctic settlements. In Ny-Ålesund the safe operation of the Research Infrastructure has comprised airport operations and the handling of fuel for energy production. Recent discovery of persistent fluorinated compounds (PFAS) in soil and groundwater as well as surface water raises the question of existing sources, their activity and potential for future release and uptake in the ecosystem. Fieldwork will be performed during 2 field seasons, 2021 and 2022. The first season the main activities will be focussed on the run-off of PFAS to Solvatnet which has been identified in 2019. This will consist of 2 field periods of 1 week (June/July and August 2021) and comprises the following activities: • Sampling of snow-melt and groundwater that is the major source of PFAS to the aquatic ecosystem. A reference site will be included at the opposite site of Kongsfjorden. • Sampling of grass surrounding Solvatnet which is feed to barnacle geese (Branta leucopsis) as well as goose droppings where reindeer are feeding on. This will represent the terrestrial ecosystem. • Sampling of aquatic biota in Solvatnet comprising of algae, Daphnia pulex and Lepidurus arcticus representative of Arctic freshwater ecosystems. • Quantification and fingerprinting of PFAS in run-off to the Kongsfjord and stationary marine invertebrates in Kongsfjord. During the 2022 field season the findings of 2021 will be further elaborated by a 2 week field period in August 2022 that will extend the activities to include near shore biota in the receiving waters of the Kongsfjord as well as a reference site where no PFAS sources are expect besides long-range transport.

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POLARPROG-Polarforskningsprogram