Characterization and quantification of nanoparticles in the Canadian Arctic and impacts on the food web and resources of local communities

Microplastics (<5 mm) have been identified in Arctic ecosystems but only represent a small fraction of debris and their degradation can reach the nanometre, nanoplastics (NP, <1 micron). Data regarding the abundance and impacts of NP in Arctic ecosystems and food sources of Nordic communities are limited and their assessment has been identified as a priority by the Arctic Monitoring and AssessmentProgram. Also, there is a critical lack of work on identifying the potential interactions between NP and other environmental stressors present in coastal Arctic ecosystems. Over two years, our research plan is to identify, in collaboration with Inuit communities, the presence and impacts of NP in various environmental compartments of Nunavik coastal areas and the interacting effects of NP with multiple stressors.

This project is based on three objectives that will require field sampling, laboratory and field-based experiments, and the development of a monitoring protocol. Few samples have already been collected in 2021 and further collections need to be completed in 2022. Experiments will be held in Dublin (Ireland) in collaboration with Tasman Crowe (UCD) who is an expert on multiple stressors effect on marine organisms and ecosystem functioning. UCD has developed a unique experimental setup that can deliver controlled doses of multiple stressors, simulating complex stress regimes in the field over long periods of time.The impact of the research is to fill the gap of knowledge concerning NP and their effects and to establish an urgent monitoring plan of NP concentrations in Arctic ecosystems. This research will have direct applications by providing information to multiple knowledge users (e.g., Inuit communities, Makivik corporation, Nunavik ResearchCentre, managers) that will significantly impact decision making on matters regarding: