Helena Joyce
Pollution is a significant threat to the Arctic, despite it being a remote and sparsely populated region with little industry. The Arctic environment carries traces of human-induced pollution, including soot, plastics, methane, pesticides, heavy metals, and persistent organic pollutants (POPs). These pollutants originate from various sources, such as industrial development, military activities, and long-range transport through rivers, oceans, and the atmosphere. Plastic pollution, in particular, has infiltrated terrestrial and aquatic systems, affecting local ecosystems and the health of both wildlife and indigenous people in the Arctic. Climate change and the reduction of polar ice caps are expected to exacerbate the problem by increasing shipping activity in the region. Researchers and authorities are working to address the impacts of pollution on the fragile Arctic ecosystems and to promote sustainable development and cooperation among Arctic states.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Main Contaminants | Heavy metals (e.g. mercury, lead), Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) like DDT, PCBs, dioxins |
| Sources of Pollution | Industrial development, military activity, nuclear activity, economic activities, ocean currents, atmospheric transport, rivers, fisheries, landfills, wastewater, offshore industrial activity |
| Impact on Wildlife | Bioaccumulation in food chain, affecting polar bears, seals, whales, seabirds, fish, and invertebrates |
| Impact on Humans | Toxins can affect human development, reproduction, hormone function, and weaken the immune system |
| Initiatives to Address Pollution | Arctic Council, Heavy Fuel Oil (HFO) ban in Arctic waters, International Council on Clean Transportation (ICCT) recommendations, Ocean Conservancy petition |
| Pollutants of Concern | Black carbon, methane, microplastics, radioactive substances, plastic debris, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) |
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What You'll Learn
The Arctic is a sink for industrial and agricultural chemicals
The Arctic is a "sink" for industrial and agricultural chemicals from Europe, Asia, and even further afield. Air, river, and ocean currents, as well as drifting sea ice, transport these chemicals to the Arctic, where they are trapped in the ground, air, water, and ice. The cold temperatures and ice-bound environment slow down the degradation of these toxics, which are then released into the sea and rivers when the ice melts in the summer.
The main contaminants in the Arctic region are heavy metals, such as mercury and lead, and persistent organic pollutants (POPs) such as DDT, PCBs, and dioxins. These toxic materials 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.
Research has found that indigenous people living in the Arctic region who hunt these large predators as part of their traditional diet are also exposed to high levels of toxins. These toxins can affect human development, reproduction, hormone function, and weaken the immune system.
Climate change is exacerbating this issue by causing the release of toxic chemicals once trapped in the Arctic's ice, snow, and soils. As the climate warms, POPs deposited in sinks like water and ice are expected to revolatilize into the atmosphere, increasing exposure to current and future Arctic populations.
The WWF has branded the Arctic as the "chemical sink of the globe," warning that the amount of contamination is increasing, along with the variety of substances being found. Inadequate regulation of certain chemicals, such as brominated flame retardants, has led to the contamination of many species in the Arctic, with serious implications for both animal and human health.
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Plastic pollution is pervasive in the Arctic
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 for industrial and agricultural chemicals from across the globe, which are transported there via air and ocean currents.
Research has shown a significant increase in the amount of microplastic in the stomachs of northern fulmars between the 1970s and 2013. Plastic has infiltrated all levels of the Arctic food web, with unknown organismal impacts. The widespread presence of plastic in the Arctic is exacerbated by the slow degradation rate of plastic in the cold temperatures and ice-bound environment.
Arctic communities are in need of better waste management systems and improved sewage treatment to reduce the influx of plastic pollution into the ocean. Initiatives such as the Arctic Council's Sustainable Development Working Group (SDWG) aim to address these issues by implementing best practices for solid waste management and providing tools for smaller communities to better manage plastic pollution. Additionally, the Protection of the Arctic Marine Environment (PAME) Working Group has created the first Arctic-wide study on the impacts of plastic pollution, which will inform policies to stop pollution at its source.
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Black carbon and methane emissions are contributing to warming
Black carbon and methane emissions are key contributors to warming in the Arctic. Black carbon is a carbon-based aerosol produced by the incomplete combustion of fossil fuels, biofuels, and biomass. It absorbs light and heat and is the second-leading contributor to global warming after carbon dioxide. Black carbon's warming effect is particularly pronounced in the Arctic, where it accelerates the melting of snow and ice, exacerbating the impacts of global warming.
Methane is a well-mixed greenhouse gas that also contributes to atmospheric warming. While it has a shorter lifetime in the atmosphere than carbon dioxide, with a lifespan of about 12 years compared to 100 years for CO2, methane exerts a much stronger warming effect. Therefore, reductions in methane emissions, whether from Arctic or non-Arctic states, can significantly mitigate near-term warming in the Arctic.
The Arctic region is particularly vulnerable to the warming effects of black carbon and methane emissions due to the presence of snow and ice, which are highly reflective surfaces. As black carbon falls on these surfaces, it accelerates their melting, leading to a positive feedback loop that intensifies warming. This process has severe consequences for the Arctic environment and human communities in the region.
To address the issue of black carbon and methane emissions, the Arctic Council and various international organizations have taken several actions. The Arctic Council's Expert Group on Black Carbon and Methane plays a crucial role in monitoring and recommending actions to reduce these emissions. The Fairbanks Declaration in 2017 set a goal to reduce black carbon emissions by 25% to 33% below 2013 levels by 2025, which is supported by all Arctic states. Additionally, the European Union has contributed to collective responses to reduce black carbon emissions and promote a decarbonized society.
The impacts of black carbon and methane emissions on the Arctic environment and human health have raised concerns among experts and policymakers. These emissions contribute directly to air pollution, negatively affecting human health and the Arctic ecosystem. The Arctic Council's Working Groups are actively monitoring and addressing the impacts of these pollutants, raising awareness, and contributing to national and international actions to mitigate their effects.
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Military activity is a source of pollution
The Arctic is a sparsely populated, wild, and remote region with little industry. However, pollution is a significant threat to the people and wildlife that do inhabit the area. The primary sources of pollution in the Arctic Ocean are economic activities carried out on land, industrial development in the Arctic region, and the effects of military activities.
The Arctic is particularly vulnerable to the impacts of military emissions due to its proximity to the sources of these emissions. Aircraft, for example, contribute to 70% of operational emissions, and the U.S. Air Force has a significant presence in the Arctic. While the Arctic Commitment Act focuses on military buildup and trade competition with Russia, experts argue that climate change is the most significant threat to the region and should be addressed through cooperation rather than conflict escalation.
Russia's militarization and nuclearization of the Arctic have raised concerns among experts. Russia operates a fleet of nuclear-powered icebreakers to open up shipping lanes in the Arctic Ocean year-round, contributing to radioactive contamination of the environment. Additionally, Russia has plans to exploit the largest gas reserves on Earth through the Yamal Megaproject, which has already resulted in gas spills affecting the indigenous Nentsy population. China is collaborating with Russia on these extraction opportunities, prompting the United States to pursue its own initiatives in the region.
The impact of military emissions in the Arctic is challenging to quantify due to a loophole in the Paris Climate Agreement, which exempts governments from reporting their military's emissions. However, it is clear that military activities contribute to the pollution in the Arctic, and efforts to protect the region from the effects of pollution and climate change are ongoing.
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Pollution is affecting human and animal health
Pollution is having a detrimental impact on both human and animal health in the Arctic. The Arctic environment carries traces of human-induced pollution, including soot, plastics, pesticides, and heavy metals such as mercury and lead. These pollutants originate from a variety of sources, including industrial development, military activities, and long-range transport via rivers, oceans, and the atmosphere.
The health effects of pollution on Arctic wildlife have been observed in various species. Researchers have found significant increases in the amount of microplastic in the stomachs of seabirds like the northern fulmar between the 1970s and 2013. Additionally, species like polar bears, seals, and whales are exposed to high levels of toxins, which accumulate in their fatty tissue and organs. These toxins can disrupt reproductive, hormonal, and immune functions, impacting their overall health and survival.
Indigenous people in the Arctic who consume contaminated wildlife as part of their traditional diet are also at risk. Studies have shown that contaminants bioaccumulate in the food chain, passing from planktonic microorganisms to fish and larger wildlife. As a result, Indigenous communities may experience health issues related to toxin exposure, including impaired development, reproduction, and hormone function, as well as a weakened immune system.
Furthermore, the reduction of polar ice caps due to climate change is expected to increase shipping activity in the Arctic, exacerbating pollution levels. The use of nuclear-powered icebreakers by Russia contributes to radioactive contamination, posing additional risks to both human and animal health in the region.
Addressing Arctic pollution requires collective efforts, including international cooperation, emission reduction activities, and the implementation of cleaner technologies. By taking proactive measures, we can mitigate the impact of pollution on the delicate Arctic ecosystem and protect the health and well-being of both human and animal residents.
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Frequently asked questions
Pollution refers to the contamination of the environment by harmful substances, often as a result of human activity.
The Arctic is affected by various types of pollution, including plastic pollution, chemical pollution, and noise pollution. Common contaminants found in the region include heavy metals, such as mercury and lead, and persistent organic pollutants (POPs) like DDT, PCBs, and dioxins.
Pollution reaches the Arctic through a variety of means, including ocean currents, atmospheric transport, and rivers. Long-range pollution from lower latitudes can be transported by air and ocean currents to the Arctic, where they accumulate and persist in the environment.
Pollution has severe impacts on the Arctic's environment and its inhabitants. It contaminates the food chain, affecting the health and reproduction of wildlife and indigenous people. It also contributes to climate change, with pollutants like black carbon accelerating the melting of ice and snow, leading to global warming and rising sea levels.
