Coastal Environmental Baseline Program projects in Iqaluit, Nunavut

Baseline mercury levels in Frobisher Bay fish and invertebrates

Funding recipient: University of Waterloo

Project summary: The project involves measuring concentrations of total mercury and methyl mercury in bivalves (e.g. clams); other benthic invertebrates (e.g. starfish and barnacles); Arctic Cod and other forage fish species (e.g., Four-Horned and Arctic Sculpin); and anadromous Arctic Char. Mercury contamination is an ongoing threat to the health of Arctic ecosystems and food sources for Northern inhabitants. Measuring total mercury and methyl mercury concentrations will help to identify pathways of dietary mercury exposure to Arctic Char. The data will also help to characterize the current state of the coastal ecosystem of Iqaluit, providing standards against which future changes may be assessed. This initiative will also contribute to the capacity-building of key parties in and around Iqaluit to collect environmental data as part of the implementation of the Oceans Protection Plan.

Water quality in Iqaluit coastal marine ecosystems

Funding recipient: University of Manitoba

Project summary: This project will focus on collecting data on status and trends in water properties and subsistence species (e.g. fish and bivalves) in Frobisher Bay and surrounding areas of Iqaluit. The study will investigate the occurrence of the following contaminants: pharmaceuticals, personal care products, fluorinated compounds, nutrients, microbes (e.g. E. coli and antibiotic-resistant gene-bearing organisms) and microplastics. Subsistence species will also be sampled to determine their uptake and body burden of specific contaminants. The project will also contribute to the capacity-building of key parties to collect environmental data as part of the implementation of the Oceans Protection Plan.

Characterization of sediment in relation to ecosystem services and contaminants in Frobisher Bay, Iqaluit

Funding recipient: University of Manitoba

Project summary: This study will characterize the sediments of Inner Frobisher Bay in relation to important ecosystem functions. It will provide baseline data on contaminants in shellfish harvested by Inuit. Coastal environmental baseline data will be collected with emphasis on characterizing sedimentary and benthic habitat, associated ecosystem processes in Inner Frobisher Bay and contaminant levels in shellfish, water and sediment. By working in partnership with the Inuit community, the project will also contribute to capacity-building as part of the Oceans Protection Plan.

Inshore multispecies resource assessments and coastal environmental baseline study in Inner Frobisher Bay, Iqaluit

Funding recipient: Government of Nunavut

Project summary: This project will use multiple survey and sampling methods to establish baseline for biophysical features of the local marine environment. It will provide estimates of density and biomass of renewable marine resources, including species currently harvested for local consumption. An analysis of heavy metal contaminants in edible macroalgae (seaweed) will also be undertaken. By working in partnership with Indigenous community members, including youth, the project will also contribute to capacity-building as part of the Oceans Protection Plan.

Empowering the Amaruq Hunters and Trappers Association to monitor Iqaluit community ice

Funding recipient: SmartICE Sea Ice Monitoring and Information, Inc.

Project summary: This project will enable the collection of coastal environmental baseline data to characterize the current state of the marine ecosystem of Frobisher Bay, Iqaluit. It will also contribute to the capacity building of the Amaruq Hunters and Trappers Association to collect environmental data as part of the implementation of the Oceans Protection Plan. The results of the study will be available as open source baseline data to characterize environmental integrity, situational awareness and ecosystems, while supporting evidence-based decision-making (e.g. assessments for marine spatial planning in relation to conservation and cumulative environmental effects).

Diversity of pelagic primary producers in coastal habitats and the potential for harmful blooms in the Eastern Canadian Arctic, with a focus on Iqaluit

Funding recipient: Université du Québec à Rimouski

Project summary: This project will enable the collection of coastal baseline biodiversity data on phytoplankton to characterize the current state of the nearshore ecosystem in Koojesse Inlet (Iqaluit) and surrounding areas of Frobisher Bay. Data collected will contribute to the creation of a larger, comprehensive database on the current and historical distribution of phytoplankton in the Canadian Arctic. This database will help in determining the status (native, invasive or new to the region) and the possible origin of new phytoplankton species in Frobisher Bay. Such information can be used to survey, detect and mitigate introductions of new or harmful phytoplankton species in the region and in future ports with high shipping activity. The project will also contribute to the capacity building of Inuit to collect phytoplankton data as part of the implementation of the Oceans Protection Plan.

Ringed seal health: tracking trends in a changing world

Funding recipient: University of Prince Edward Island

Project summary: The project will involve collecting important baseline information on animal health parameters, specifically that of ringed seals – a species of critical social, cultural and economic importance to many Northern communities. These parameters will include both environmental contaminants and pathogens found in Northern wildlife that could be significant to public health. This information will be gathered in partnership with members of the Inuit community in Iqaluit while documenting traditional Inuit knowledge regarding ringed seals and their health. The project will form the basis of a Master of Science program being undertaken at the University of Prince Edward Island by a young Inuk woman from Iqaluit.

Iqaluit community fishers marine monitoring

Funding recipient: Ocean Networks Canada

Project summary: This project will take a citizen science approach in which community members gather oceanographic data using local transportation and resources. The training of community members will include the usage and troubleshooting of oceanographic instrumentation, safe field operations, and data collection, access and use. The project will include the capture and integration of snow and ice measurements, observational data and local and Indigenous traditional knowledge.

Characterization of the physiological effects of temperature and wastewater effluent on the truncate softshell clam in Frobisher Bay (Iqaluit)

Funding recipient: University of Manitoba

Project summary:This project collects baseline data on wastewater impacts on truncate softshell clams and on their thermal tolerance. The data collected contributes to a baseline understanding of the effects of wastewater and environmental stressors on these softshell clams.

Coastal and marine environmental baseline study: Frobisher Bay (Iqaluit)

Funding recipient: Government of Nunavut

Project summary: This project collects baseline data on water quality parameters (e.g. temperature, connectivity, depth), seabed habitat features and contaminant levels along the main shipping channel in Frobisher Bay, Iqaluit, focusing on the Bay of Two Rivers area. The data collected will help characterize the current state of the ecosystem, and could inform future environmental assessments.

Establishing an Inter-Annual Baseline Record of Sea Ice Data and Supporting Economic Development, Youth Training and Safe Travel through Monitoring of Iqaluit Community Ice

Funding recipient: SmartICE Sea Ice Monitoring & Information Inc.

Project summary:Building on a previous project, this project improves and expands baseline knowledge of sea ice for community trails. SmartICE technology is operated by hunters through the Amaruq Hunters and Trappers Association. SmartICE systems measures sea ice and snow thickness, as well as water and air temperatures at designated sites to better understand sea ice conditions.

Expansion of Frobisher Bay “Remotely Operated Underwater Vehicle” Data Collection Program

Funding recipient: Arctic UAV Inc.

Project summary: Building on a previous project, this project collects baseline data on underwater coastal areas around Iqaluit to help understand the state of the marine ecosystem in Frobisher Bay. Autonomous underwater vehicles document bottom habitat and marine life during the 6 stages of the year identified by Inuit peoples. The results will help characterize the Frobisher Bay marine ecosystem and could also provide information to support environmental assessments or marine conservation planning.

Frobisher Bay intertidal mapping project

Funding recipient: Arctic UAV, Inc.

Project summary:This project gathers baseline data on habitats in the intertidal areas of Frobisher Bay, Iqaluit using aerial drone surveys. The georeferenced aerial maps generated by the project will help to better understand the state of the intertidal ecosystem in Frobisher Bay, and could help inform future environmental assessments.

Iqaluit “Community Fishers” Ocean Monitoring Program

Funding recipient: Ocean Networks Canada

Project summary: This project builds on an established citizen science approach to collecting baseline data on water characteristics in the Iqaluit area. Trained community members collect underwater data during both ice-cover and open water seasons using an oceanographic instrument. The instrument is equipped with sensors to measure parameters, such as water temperature, connectivity and depth. The data collected contributes to a baseline understanding of the marine ecosystem in Frobisher Bay.

Monitoring Iqaluit Community Ice to Support Community Economic Development, Youth Training and Safe Travel Under Changing Conditions

Funding recipient: SmartICE Sea Ice Monitoring & Information, Inc.

Project summary: This project collects baseline data on sea ice condition along community trails. SmartICE technology is operated by hunters identified through the Amaruq Hunters and Trappers Association to measure:

• sea ice thickness
• air temperature
• water temperature

The project also focuses on delivering training and outreach to the local community on sea ice condition awareness.

“Remotely Operated Underwater Vehicle” data collection of scientific data on Frobisher Bay

Funding recipient: Arctic UAV, Inc.

Project summary: This project collects baseline data on substrates, vegetation, invertebrates and fish in underwater coastal habitats near Iqaluit, to help characterize the current state of the ecosystem in Frobisher Bay. It also helps build capacity for local communities to collect environmental data. Arctic UAV pilots will deploy Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROV) to collect video on seafloor biomass and marine habitat in coastal areas around Iqaluit.

Seasonal succession and diversity of pelagic primary producers and potential harmful algae in Eastern Canadian Arctic, with a focus near Iqaluit, Nunavut

Funding recipient: Université du Québec à Rimouski

Project summary: Building on a previous project, this project collects baseline data on phytoplankton to better understand the state of the nearshore ecosystem in Koojesse Inlet (Iqaluit) and Frobisher Bay’s surrounding areas. Data collected contributes to the creation of a larger, comprehensive database on the distribution of phytoplankton over time in the Canadian Arctic. This database will help to determine the status (native, invasive or new to the region) and possible origin of new phytoplankton species in Frobisher Bay. This information could be used to survey, detect and mitigate new or harmful phytoplankton species in the region and in future ports with high shipping activity.