Glaciers as sources of inorganic pollution in the era of climate change

The research aimed to determine the current and historical concentrations of heavy metals (Hg, Pb, Cu, Zn, Cd) and artificial radionuclides in sediments cores from West Spitsbergen’s fjords and calculate their fluxes based on the sediment accumulation rates. The stations were selected so that we will be able to measure the concentration of heavy metals and radionuclides at various distances from secondary sources of pollutants (e.g. melting glaciers, riverine runoff). Then we will compare the results obtained for stations located near glaciers/rivers with those that were not affected. We hypothesise that the glaciers and rivers are one of the most important routes of heavy metals and radionuclides entering the Spitsbergen fjords ecosystem. The first step of the research was sampling, during which we collected around 30 sediment cores during r/v “Oceania” cruises in 2019. We are currently conducting laboratory analyses. We also wrote a literature review on the topic and published it in 2021. The project is part of a dissertation started in 2019 and scheduled to end in 2023. The supervisor is Prof. Agata Zaborska. The research results will be published and disseminated to the public interested in the fate of the oceans, especially their continued pollution with inorganic compounds, in an era of climate change.