Arctic Pollution: A Real And Present Danger

Despite being a sparsely populated region with little industry, the Arctic is facing a very real threat of pollution. The Arctic acts as a reservoir for industrial and agricultural chemicals from across the world, transported there by air and ocean currents. These pollutants, such as heavy metals and persistent organic pollutants (POPs), are trapped in the ground, air, water, and ice, degrading slowly and bioaccumulating in the food chain. Climate change is intensifying the problem, with the reduction of polar ice caps and increased shipping activity in the region contributing to rising pollution levels. The Arctic Council and other organisations are working to address these issues and promote sustainable development.

Pollution sources: from local to global

Pollution in the Arctic is a pressing issue that threatens the region's delicate balance. The Arctic, known for its remote and sparsely populated landscapes, faces various pollution sources, ranging from local to global origins. Here is an overview of the diverse pollution sources impacting this fragile ecosystem:

Local Sources

Local activities contribute significantly to Arctic pollution, particularly through economic and industrial development. This includes resource exploitation, such as mining, mineral extraction, and oil and gas development projects like the Yamal Megaproject. These activities release chemical and waste emissions, with pollutants transported via rivers and oceans, eventually reaching the Arctic. Additionally, local sources include agricultural and forest fires, which contribute to air pollution in the region.

Regional Sources

Military activities in the Arctic, particularly those related to the Cold War, have led to increased pollution. The presence of nuclear-powered icebreakers, for instance, contributes to radioactive contamination. Additionally, the Arctic has become a hub for shipping activities, leading to concerns about noise pollution, invasive species, and further atmospheric and marine pollution.

Global Sources

The Arctic also bears the brunt of global pollution. As an indicator region, it acts as a reservoir for industrial and agricultural chemicals from Europe, Asia, and beyond. These pollutants are transported by air and ocean currents, trapping toxics in the ground, air, water, and ice. Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) are of particular concern as they can be transported over long distances and have significant impacts on human health and the environment. Climate change further exacerbates this issue, remobilizing POPs and transforming the Arctic from a chemical sink to a pollution source.

Addressing the Issue

Various initiatives are underway to address Arctic pollution. The Arctic Monitoring and Assessment Programme (AMAP) monitors pollution and provides scientific advice to Arctic governments. The Arctic Contaminants Action Program (ACAP) works with local authorities and businesses to reduce emissions. International agreements, such as the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants, aim to mitigate the impacts of pollutants. Additionally, organizations like Ocean Conservancy are encouraging major firms to avoid using Arctic trade routes, reducing shipping-related pollution.

Pollutants in the Arctic: air, water, soil, animals, humans

Despite being a sparsely populated region with little industry, the Arctic faces a very real threat from pollution. The Arctic Ocean acts as a sink for industrial and agricultural chemicals from across the globe, which are transported there by air and ocean currents. These pollutants are trapped in the ground, air, water and ice, and degrade very slowly. When the ice melts in summer, the toxins are washed into the sea and rivers.

Air

Air pollution in the Arctic is a neglected but serious problem. The sources, transformation, deposition, and impacts of Arctic air pollution are not yet fully understood. However, it is known that pollutants from mid-latitudes, high-latitude fires, and global linkages are transported to the Arctic by air.

Water

The Arctic is pervasively polluted by microplastic fibres, which are likely to originate from the washing of synthetic clothes in Europe and North America. These microplastics have been found in the stomachs of marine animals, and people also consume them via food and water and breathe them in. The health impact of this is not yet known.

Soil

Soil pollution in the Arctic is caused by oil and gas extraction. Oil-filled areas are often only superficially reclaimed by being sprinkled with sand, meaning that the oil remains in the soil and eventually contaminates the groundwater, freshwater reservoirs, and the Arctic Ocean.

Animals

The main contaminants in the Arctic are heavy metals and persistent organic pollutants (POPs) such as DDT, PCBs and dioxins. These toxins bioaccumulate in the food chain, passing from planktonic microorganisms to fish, and then on to larger wildlife. Animals at the top of the food chain, such as polar bears, seals and whales, store more and more toxins in their fatty tissue and organs. As a result, these species are among the most contaminated in the Arctic.

Humans

Indigenous people living in the Arctic who hunt large predators as part of their traditional diet are exposed to toxins through their food. These toxins can affect human development, reproduction, hormone function and weaken the immune system.

Climate change and pollution

The Arctic is a sparsely populated region with little industry. However, pollution poses a significant threat to the people and wildlife that do inhabit the area. The Arctic Ocean acts as a reservoir or 'sink' for industrial and agricultural chemicals from Europe and Asia, which are transported there by air and ocean currents. These toxic chemicals, including heavy metals and persistent organic pollutants (POPs), are slow to degrade in the cold temperatures and ice-bound environment. As a result, they accumulate in the food chain, impacting the health of animals and indigenous people who rely on traditional diets.

Climate change is exacerbating the problem of pollution in the Arctic. As the polar ice caps recede, the region is experiencing increased shipping activity, which contributes to air and marine pollution. Warmer winters can also allow polluted air to penetrate the central Arctic, depositing contamination. Furthermore, the melting of sea ice and permafrost releases POPs back into the sea and atmosphere, transforming the Arctic from a chemical sink to a pollution source.

The Arctic Monitoring and Assessment Programme (AMAP) has been monitoring pollution levels and providing scientific advice to Arctic governments since 1991. They have documented the extent and effects of pollution, including the impact of new POPs, to inform policy decisions. The Arctic Council, established in 1996, also promotes cooperation among Arctic states and encourages sustainable development and protection against pollution.

To address the issue of pollution in the Arctic, international agreements such as the UN ECE's Convention on Long-range Transboundary Air Pollution (LRTAP) Protocol and the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants have been negotiated. The Arctic Contaminant Action Program (ACAP) works with local authorities and businesses to reduce emissions and develop inventories of emission sources. Additionally, some companies have pledged to avoid using Arctic trade routes, helping to reduce the region's pollution levels.

While efforts are being made to mitigate pollution in the Arctic, it remains a challenging issue. The unique environment of the Arctic, with its remote location and extreme temperatures, poses difficulties in understanding and addressing the pollution sources and their impacts on the delicate ecosystem and local populations. As climate change intensifies, the problem of pollution in the Arctic is likely to become even more complex and severe.

Impact on wildlife and humans

The Arctic is a sparsely populated region with little industry. However, pollution poses a significant threat to the region's wildlife and human populations. The primary sources of pollution in the Arctic are economic activities, including industrial development, commercial fisheries, chemical emissions, waste emissions, and resource exploitation such as mining and oil and gas extraction. Military activities, particularly nuclear activities, also contribute to pollution in the region.

Impact on Wildlife

The Arctic Ocean acts as a reservoir for industrial and agricultural chemicals, heavy metals, and persistent organic pollutants (POPs) from Europe, Asia, and other parts of the world. These toxins are transported through air and ocean currents, accumulating in the ground, ice, water, and the food chain. As a result, animals at the top of the food chain, such as polar bears, seals, and whales, store high levels of toxins in their fatty tissues and organs. Research by the Norwegian Polar Institute found that the amount of microplastic in the stomachs of northern fulmars, a species of seabird, significantly increased between the 1970s and 2013.

Additionally, the Scottish Association for Marine Science (SAMS) has been investigating the impacts of noise pollution from increased shipping in the Canadian Arctic on marine mammals. This noise pollution interferes with the sonic communication patterns of sea mammals, such as whales. Climate change also poses a significant threat to Arctic wildlife. The Arctic's average temperature has risen at a rate of almost four times the global average, leading to unprecedented permafrost thawing, rising sea levels, and the erosion of Arctic coastlines. These changes directly impact wildlife, such as migrating reindeer, that depend on stable environmental conditions.

Impact on Humans

Indigenous people in the Arctic who rely on hunting large predators, such as polar bears, are exposed to high levels of toxins present in their prey. These contaminants can affect human development, reproduction, hormone function, and weaken the immune system. Research has found that the Inuit of Canada and Greenland have higher levels of contaminants in their blood and breast milk than people from southern regions. Additionally, as the Arctic continues to warm, Indigenous Peoples' safety, food security, and health are at risk. Changes in seasonal patterns for harvesting have led to an increase in fatal falls through ice, disproportionately impacting Indigenous Peoples. The distribution, quality, and timing of ice drive nearly every aspect of life on Arctic coasts, from transportation to hunting and fishing.

Addressing Arctic pollution: international agreements and initiatives

The Arctic region is a remote, sparsely populated area with little industry. However, pollution poses a significant threat to the people and wildlife that inhabit the region. The Arctic Ocean acts as a reservoir for industrial and agricultural chemicals from across the globe, transported there by air and ocean currents. These pollutants, including heavy metals and persistent organic pollutants (POPs), are slow to degrade and bioaccumulate in the food chain, ultimately reaching humans through contaminated food and water.

To address this issue, several international agreements and initiatives have been established:

International Agreements

• UN ECE's Convention on Long-range Transboundary Air Pollution (LRTAP) Protocol on Persistent Organic Pollutants: This agreement addresses the global concern of POPs, which can be transported over long distances and have detrimental effects on human health and the environment.
• Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants: This convention aims to reduce the impact of POPs, which are decreasing but still pose a threat to the Arctic ecosystem.
• Arctic Monitoring and Assessment Programme (AMAP): AMAP, established in 1991, documents pollution levels and tracks new developments to inform policy decisions. It has contributed significantly to international agreements and the development of pilot projects for emission reduction.
• Arctic Contaminants Action Program (ACAP): ACAP assesses POPs emissions from local factories, creates inventories of emission sources, and promotes pollution reduction with various stakeholders.
• Agreement on Cooperation on Marine Oil Pollution Preparedness and Response in the Arctic: Signed in 2013, this agreement strengthens cooperation and coordination among Arctic states to protect the marine environment from oil pollution.
• International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL): MARPOL is the main international convention covering the prevention of marine pollution caused by ships.
• Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES): This agreement ensures that international trade in wild animals and plants does not threaten their survival, providing varying degrees of protection to over 35,000 species.
• Svalbard Treaty, Paris, 1920: The treaty establishes Norway's sovereignty over Svalbard while including conditions that restrict the enactment of Norwegian sovereignty.
• International Agreement to Prevent Unregulated Fishing in the High Seas of the Central Arctic Ocean: This agreement aims to prevent commercial fishing from further threatening the survival of endangered species.

Initiatives

• Ocean Conservancy's campaign: In 2018, Ocean Conservancy launched a petition urging major U.S. firms to refrain from using Arctic trade shipping routes, with companies like Nike, Gap, and H&M pledging their support.
• Research and monitoring: The Scottish Association for Marine Science (SAMS) investigates the impacts of increased shipping, noise pollution, and invasive species in the Canadian Arctic. The International Council on Clean Transportation (ICCT) has also reported on the potential severe impact of increased shipping activity on Arctic pollution levels.
• Bilateral consultations: Russia and Norway have engaged in bilateral consultations to harmonize national environmental standards for the exploration and development of mineral resources in the Arctic.
• Cleaner fuels: ICCT has suggested that a shift to cleaner sulphur-based fuels could help mitigate the impact of increased shipping activity on pollution levels in the Arctic.

These agreements and initiatives demonstrate a global commitment to addressing Arctic pollution and its various sources, including industrial development, military activity, and long-range atmospheric and oceanic pollution. By fostering cooperation, raising awareness, and implementing concrete actions, these efforts aim to protect the fragile Arctic environment and the well-being of its inhabitants.

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