7.3 Pollution and contaminants in the Arctic

Pollution in the Arctic is a growing concern. Industrial activities, resource extraction, and long-range transport bring contaminants like POPs, heavy metals, and microplastics to the region. These pollutants accumulate in ecosystems, affecting wildlife and human health.

The Arctic's unique environment makes it vulnerable to pollution. Cold temperatures slow degradation, while atmospheric and oceanic currents transport pollutants from lower latitudes. This poses significant challenges for ecosystems, wildlife, and indigenous communities relying on traditional food sources.

Arctic Pollution Sources and Types

Industrial Activities and Resource Extraction

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  Exxon y Rosneft hallan petróleo en un pozo en el Ártico | NUESTROMAR View original

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  Exxon Valdez Oil Spill - 0038 | Oily tocks glisten in the su… | Flickr View original

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  Arctic Methane Release View original

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  Exxon y Rosneft hallan petróleo en un pozo en el Ártico | NUESTROMAR View original

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• The Arctic is particularly vulnerable to pollution and contaminants due to its cold climate, slow degradation rates, and long-range transport of pollutants from lower latitudes
• Major sources of pollution in the Arctic include industrial activities, mining, oil and gas extraction, agricultural practices, and urban development in the region and from lower latitudes
• Oil spills from shipping and extraction activities can have devastating effects on marine ecosystems (Exxon Valdez oil spill in 1989)
• Radioactive contamination can result from nuclear testing, accidents, and waste disposal (Chernobyl disaster in 1986)

Persistent Organic Pollutants and Heavy Metals

• Types of pollutants affecting the Arctic environment include persistent organic pollutants (POPs), heavy metals, oil spills, microplastics, and radioactive contamination
• POPs, such as PCBs and DDT, are long-lasting chemicals that accumulate in the food chain and pose risks to wildlife and human health
  • PCBs were widely used in electrical equipment and building materials before being banned in many countries (United States banned PCBs in 1979)
  • DDT was extensively used as an insecticide until its environmental impacts were recognized (Silent Spring by Rachel Carson in 1962)
• Heavy metals, like mercury and lead, can be released from industrial activities and accumulate in the environment
  • Mercury emissions from coal-fired power plants and artisanal gold mining can travel long distances and contaminate Arctic ecosystems (Minamata disease in Japan caused by mercury poisoning)
  • Lead pollution from leaded gasoline and lead-based paints can persist in the environment and affect wildlife and human health (Phasing out of leaded gasoline in many countries starting in the 1970s)

Emerging Pollutants and Contaminants

• Microplastics, originating from the breakdown of larger plastic debris, can be ingested by marine organisms and potentially impact the food chain
  • Microbeads from personal care products and synthetic fibers from clothing contribute to microplastic pollution (United States banned microbeads in rinse-off cosmetics in 2015)
  • Ingestion of microplastics by marine organisms can lead to physical blockages and potential transfer of toxic chemicals (Plastic debris found in the stomachs of seabirds and marine mammals)
• Emerging contaminants, such as pharmaceuticals and personal care products, are increasingly being detected in Arctic environments and may have unknown ecological and health effects (Presence of antibiotics and antidepressants in Arctic water samples)

Pollutant Transport to the Arctic

Atmospheric and Oceanic Transport

• Pollutants can reach the Arctic through various transport mechanisms, including atmospheric circulation, ocean currents, and river systems
• Long-range atmospheric transport is a primary pathway for pollutants, such as POPs and mercury, to reach the Arctic from lower latitudes
  • The unique atmospheric conditions in the Arctic, such as temperature inversions and the polar vortex, can trap and concentrate pollutants (Arctic haze phenomenon)
• Ocean currents, like the North Atlantic Current, can transport pollutants from industrialized regions to the Arctic
  • The global ocean conveyor belt, driven by thermohaline circulation, can distribute pollutants throughout the world's oceans (Great Pacific Garbage Patch)

Biological and Riverine Transport

• River systems draining into the Arctic Ocean can carry pollutants from upstream sources, such as agricultural runoff and industrial waste
  • The Mackenzie River in Canada and the Lena River in Russia are major pathways for pollutant transport to the Arctic Ocean (Elevated levels of pesticides and heavy metals in river sediments)
• Migratory species, such as birds and marine mammals, can also transport pollutants to the Arctic through their body burdens
  • Arctic terns, which migrate from the Arctic to the Antarctic, can accumulate pollutants from different regions (POPs detected in Arctic tern eggs)
  • Migratory whales, such as gray whales and humpback whales, can transport pollutants between feeding and breeding grounds (PCBs found in whale blubber)

Impacts of Pollution on the Arctic

Ecosystem and Wildlife Effects

• Pollutants and contaminants can have significant adverse effects on Arctic ecosystems, wildlife, and human populations
• POPs and heavy metals can bioaccumulate and biomagnify in the food chain, leading to high concentrations in top predators like polar bears, seals, and whales
  • These contaminants can cause reproductive disorders, immune system dysfunction, and developmental issues in wildlife (Polar bears with pseudohermaphroditism and bone deformities)
  • Biomagnification of mercury in Arctic food webs can lead to high levels in predatory fish and marine mammals (Beluga whales with high mercury concentrations)
• Oil spills can have catastrophic impacts on marine ecosystems, causing direct mortality of wildlife, habitat destruction, and long-term ecological damage
  • The Exxon Valdez oil spill in 1989 had severe consequences for marine life and coastal ecosystems in Alaska (Hundreds of thousands of seabirds and marine mammals killed)
• Pollutants can also alter the delicate balance of Arctic ecosystems, affecting species interactions, food web dynamics, and overall ecosystem functioning
  • Climate change and pollutants can have synergistic effects on Arctic ecosystems (Earlier sea ice breakup and increased exposure to UV radiation)

Human Health Concerns

• Indigenous communities in the Arctic, who rely on traditional diets of marine mammals and fish, are particularly vulnerable to the health risks associated with pollutants
  • Exposure to contaminants has been linked to increased rates of cancer, cardiovascular diseases, and neurodevelopmental disorders in Arctic populations (Inuit communities in Greenland and Canada)
  • Consumption of contaminated traditional foods can lead to high body burdens of POPs and heavy metals (PCBs and mercury in breast milk of Inuit women)
• Long-term exposure to pollutants can have multigenerational effects on Arctic communities, impacting the health and well-being of future generations (Epigenetic changes and increased disease susceptibility)
• The cultural and spiritual significance of traditional foods and practices can be undermined by pollution, affecting the social and mental health of Arctic communities (Disruption of traditional hunting and fishing practices)

Effectiveness of Arctic Pollution Regulations

International Agreements and Conventions

• Several international agreements and regulations have been established to address pollution in the Arctic, with varying degrees of effectiveness
• The Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (2001) aims to eliminate or restrict the production and use of POPs globally
  • While the convention has led to reductions in POP levels, the long-range transport and persistence of these chemicals in the Arctic remain a concern (Continued presence of legacy POPs in Arctic food webs)
• The Minamata Convention on Mercury (2013) seeks to reduce mercury emissions and protect human health and the environment
  • The convention has raised awareness about mercury pollution, but its effectiveness in the Arctic will depend on global implementation and compliance (Ongoing mercury emissions from artisanal gold mining)
• The Arctic Council, an intergovernmental forum of Arctic states, has played a crucial role in assessing and addressing pollution issues in the region
  • The council's working groups, such as the Arctic Monitoring and Assessment Programme (AMAP), provide scientific assessments and policy recommendations (Arctic Pollution Issues reports)

Regional Cooperation and Challenges

• Regional and bilateral agreements, such as the Agreement on Cooperation on Marine Oil Pollution Preparedness and Response in the Arctic (2013), aim to enhance collaboration and response capabilities
  • The agreement promotes information sharing, joint exercises, and mutual assistance in the event of an oil spill (Arctic oil spill response exercises)
• Despite these efforts, the remoteness, harsh conditions, and increasing economic activities in the Arctic pose challenges to the effective implementation and enforcement of pollution regulations
  • The expansion of shipping routes and oil and gas exploration in the Arctic increases the risks of pollution incidents (Northern Sea Route and Northwest Passage)
  • The transboundary nature of pollutants and the involvement of multiple stakeholders complicate the governance of Arctic pollution (Conflicting interests of Arctic states and industries)
• Strengthening international cooperation, improving scientific understanding, and engaging local communities are crucial for effectively addressing pollution in the Arctic (Inclusion of Indigenous knowledge in decision-making processes)