Course Syllabus
Synopsis
The course focuses on how physical conditions affect persistence and distributions of contaminants in the Arctic environment. Important physical factors in the Arctic are atmospheric conditions, extreme variabilities in temperatures and light, and global climate change. How to conduct field work and sample environmental material in Arctic conditions.
Aims
To provide knowledge distribution of environmental contaminants in the Arctic and how they are affected by physical environmental factors in the Arctic.
Objectives
At the end of the Unit, you should:
- have knowledge of local and long-range sources of environmental contaminants in the Arctic
- have detailed knowledge of how physical-chemical processes work differently in the Arctic than at mid-latitude locations
- have knowledge on how to conduct field work and obtain relevant environmental samples in the Arctic
Topics covered include
- Atmospheric chemistry of the polar environment.
- Monitoring of greenhouse gases in the Arctic environment
- The real “POPs” defined: persistent, bioaccumulative, toxic (PBT).
- Long-range transport of contaminants to Arctic (persistent organochlorines (OCs) such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and pesticides (e.g., DDT), and other compounds like PAHs and metals / organometals and the role of black carbon.
- Local sources of pollutants in Arctic, Svalbard as a case study.
- The role of particles in Arctic atmospheric, Arctic haze.
- Oil spill in Arctic
- Soil and snow as sample matrixes to study human footprint in Arctic
- Arctic conditions that affect “P” and “B” in PBT.
- Mercury in the Arctic environment, sources, occurrence, mechanisms of toxicity and impacts.
Bibliography
- Ca. 700 pages of reading from texts, articles and reports. Course material will be delivered during the course
Teaching Staff : Oyvind Mikkelsn (Coord.)
Semester: 2
Timetable slot: ca. 14 January – 20. February
ECTS: 10
Level: Optional
Learning & Teaching
- Lectures: 30 hr
- Seminars (student led): 15 hr
- Field work: 4-5 days
- Laboratory work: 15 hr
- Modelling exercises: 6 hr
Assessment
- Written theory examination (40%)
- Research paper manuscript (20%)
- Animation movie (20%)
Course Evaluation
By completion of University Unit Evaluation Questionnaire by students, annual assessment by Unit Co-ordinator.