Mercury in lichens and reindeer hair from Alaska: 2005–2007 pilot survey

Polar Record ◽  
2009 ◽  
Vol 45 (4) ◽  
pp. 368-374 ◽  
Author(s):  
James A. Lokken ◽  
Gregory L. Finstad ◽  
Kriya L. Dunlap ◽  
Lawrence K. Duffy
Keyword(s):  
Industrial Development ◽  
Fire Regime ◽  
The Arctic ◽  
Metal Exposure ◽  
Non Invasive ◽  
The North ◽  
Invasive Method ◽  
Seward Peninsula ◽  
Arctic Food Web ◽  
Flooding Events

ABSTRACTReindeer and caribou are terrestrial herbivores, that feed on lichens and are used for commercial and subsistence food products. Caribou are a key component of the arctic food web and the bioaccumulation of toxic contaminants, such as mercury (Hg), needs to be monitored to establish a baseline as the arctic environment is impacted by both climate change and future industrial development. A changing climate in Alaska is influencing plant species composition, fire regime, melting and flooding events, and thus, impacting Hg bioavailability in the food chain. Industrial development in Asia is also projected to increase the atmospheric global pool of Hg from increased coal combustion. Reindeer, a domesticated representative of caribou, can be used as a terrestrial biomonitor for metal exposure. In this study total mercury concentrations were measured in lichens and in hair of grazing reindeer on defined ranges across Alaska to establish a baseline for future hypothesis development and testing regarding Hg deposition. The Hg mean level for Seward Peninsula lichens on the Davis Range was 37.4 ng g−1, on the Gray Range 47.1 ng g−1, on the Kakaruk Range 42.2 ng g−1, and 41.7 ng g−1 on the Noyakuk Range. Lichen Hg levels on St. Lawrence Island was 46.6 ng g−1. Methyl mercury levels in lichens were found to be below detection levels. Reindeer grazing on these ranges had mean Hg hair levels of 14.6 ng g−1 (Davis herd), 83.4 ng g−1 (Gray herd), and 40.3 ng g−1 (Noyakuk herd). Two reindeer on St. Lawrence Island had an average of Hg of 43.0 ng g−1. Sample sizes ranged from n = 2 to n = 11. Hg mean levels in lichen on Seward Peninsula were higher than Hg means of two ranges in northern Mongolia. The Hg levels observed in this study indicate that Hg levels in Alaska are low at this time and pose no risk to the health of reindeer or human subsistence harvesters. A significant relationship between Hg in lichens on the ranges and the Hg in reindeer on those ranges has not been established. There are insufficient data on Hg levels in many areas of the north and more information is needed on location specific and time trends in Hg concentrations. Lichens and reindeer hair provide a good, non-invasive method of monitoring metal exposure changes in Alaskan ecosystems.

scholarly journals Gender-specific perceptions of environmental problems by the indigenous peoples of the North of Russia

POPULATION ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 23 (2) ◽  
pp. 72-84
Author(s):  
Evgenia V. Potravnaya
Keyword(s):  
Indigenous Peoples ◽  
Industrial Development ◽  
Local Population ◽  
Environmental Problems ◽  
The Arctic ◽  
Full Account ◽  
Mining Companies ◽  
The North ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Gender Specific

The article deals with gender aspects of the perception of environmental problems by the population in the industrial development of the Arctic. There is substantiated the need to develop an ethno-social approach to the study of environmental problems in the framework of interaction between mining companies and the indigenous peoples of the North. It is proposed to conduct sociological surveys of the population when assessing the impact on the ethnological environment (ethnological expertise of the project). The experience of conducting such research to identify and assess gender-specific perceptions of environmental problems in the implementation of investment projects in the Arctic is shown. Based on the results of the empirical research in 2017–2019 on alluvial gold and diamond mining projects in the Northern regions of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia), the main environmental problems that concern the local population are identified. These include: pollution of the environment in the territories of traditional nature use, decrease in the number of deer, reduction in the number of objects of traditional crafts, lack of a system for garbage removal and processing, climate change, and others. The article shows specifics of the environmental problems perception by the indigenous inhabitants of the North (Evenks, Dolgans, Yukagirs, Sakha) on a gender basis. It proposes a mechanism for taking into account the gender characteristics of the population’s behavior in the impact of economic activities on the environment in order to ensure gender equality by signing an agreement between mining companies and the local population on the socio-economic development of the territory. The concept of a gender approach to the account of ethnosocial and environmental aspects of territory development with the account the life cycle of the project is substantiated. Implementation of this approach will allow a more full account of the interests and needs of the indigenous population in the industrial development of the territory in the Arctic.

scholarly journals THE VIEW OF THE YOUNG CONTINGENT OF INDIGENOUS PEOPLES OF THE NORTH ON THE INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT OF THE ARCTIC

2020 ◽  
Vol 1 (5) ◽  
pp. 277-281
Author(s):  
E.V. Potravnaya ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Indigenous Peoples ◽  
Economic Activity ◽  
Industrial Development ◽  
Environmental Problems ◽  
The Arctic ◽  
Young Generation ◽  
Mining Company ◽  
Placer Gold ◽  
The North ◽  
Local Residents

The article deals with the implementation of Russia’s national development goals for the period up to 2030, including population conservation, improving the demographic situation, fighting poverty, and creating new jobs in relation to the development of the Arctic zone of the Russian Federation. Based on the results of a sociological study carried out in 2019 in the Momsky and Oymyakonsky districts of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia), the views and economic behavior of the young generation of indigenous peoples of the North on the industrial development of the Arctic are analyzed. The purpose of the study was to study the behavioral and social attitudes of local residents of these areas on issues related to the implementation of projects for the extraction of placer gold and the formation of recommendations for building effective communication between local residents and representatives of the mining company. As a result of sociological surveys to identify the attitude of local residents towards the socio-economic, environmental problems and problems related to the preservation of the traditional culture of the inhabitants of these areas to develop recommendations to improve the quality level of life, identified the most promising areas of development that can be supported by the mining company identified the correlation between age and other socio–demographic indicators of the population, in particular young people with the perception of socio-economic and environmental problems of the area, as well as economic activity for the extraction of placer gold on the river Artyk, as well as identified needs and setup of local residents, you need to consider the controls and the mining company at the organization of economic activity during project implementation for the extraction of placer gold.

scholarly journals Land Tenure Planning in Order to Develop Territories of Traditional Natural Resource Use: Experience of Canada

2021 ◽  
pp. 169-179
Author(s):  
A. V. Novikov
Keyword(s):  
Natural Resource ◽  
Land Tenure ◽  
Resource Use ◽  
Industrial Development ◽  
Aboriginal People ◽  
Local Population ◽  
The Arctic ◽  
Natural Resource Use ◽  
The North ◽  
Traditional Natural

The article studies issues of land tenure planning for implementation of projects aimed at industrial development of the Arctic. Using the example of Northern provinces of Canada it shows evolution of land tenure strategic planning, analyzes its role in social and economic development of the territory. It is shown that involvement of aboriginal people of the North in the process of planning the use of land, forest and other natural resources can lower conflicts among land users, mining companies and the local population, protect territories of traditional land tenure in places of residence and traditional natural resource use of aborigine people and create necessary conditions for the development of traditional types of activity and sustainable space development of the Arctic. Canadian experience of land tenure planning in development of Arctic territories in the area of aboriginal people residence can be used in the Arctic zone of the Russian Federation to balance interests of concerned parties, i.e. local bodies of power, business and aboriginal people of the North.

scholarly journals Mining and Indigenous Peoples of the North: Assessment and Development Prospects

Resources ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (8) ◽  
pp. 95
Author(s):  
Evdokia Burtseva ◽  
Anatolii Sleptsov ◽  
Anna Bysyina ◽  
Alla Fedorova ◽  
Gavril Dyachkovskii
Keyword(s):  
Indigenous Peoples ◽  
Industrial Development ◽  
Far East ◽  
The Arctic ◽  
Nature Management ◽  
The North ◽  
The Far East ◽  
Indigenous Minorities ◽  
The Republic ◽  
North Siberia

The main industry in the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia) is the mining industry, which will continue to expand in the future. Already today there are quite a lot of investment projects for the development of minerals in the Arctic, North-West and South Yakutia, which will be implemented in the territories of indigenous minorities of the North. Indigenous Evens, Evenks, Yukaghirs make up 4.2% of the total population of the republic and are characterized by low genetic diversity, which can lead to negative consequences in relation to their health status when exposed to technogenic pollution. Purpose of the study: assessment of the state of life of indigenous minorities of the North in the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia) under the conditions of a new stage of industrial development of territories of traditional nature management. The planned increasing industrial development of territories of traditional nature management can cause large-scale disturbances of the earth’s surface, depletion of biological resources, environmental pollution, which will ultimately lead to deterioration in the quality of life of the population. In order to take measures to prevent and reduce the negative impacts of industrial development of the territories of residence and traditional activities of indigenous minorities of the North, when implementing new projects, the expert commission recommends concluding a trilateral agreement on cooperation and financing of specific programs between industrial companies, government bodies of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia) and authorized representatives of indigenous minorities of the North. Research area—the position of indigenous minorities of the North in the conditions of industrial development of the North, Siberia and the Far East. This study looks at the impact of industrial development on the natural environment and the traditional way of life of indigenous population. Compensation for damage to the nomadic tribal communities of reindeer herders has taken place. Only about 250 thousand representatives of 40 indigenous peoples live in these regions, who are included in the official list of indigenous minorities of the North, Siberia and the Far East.

scholarly journals Systemization of Indicators for Assessing the Impact of Power Engineering Facilities on the Environment of the Arctic Zone in Yakutia

2021 ◽  
Vol 2096 (1) ◽  
pp. 012139
Author(s):  
N A Nikolaeva
Keyword(s):  
Landscape Structure ◽  
Industrial Development ◽  
Mineral Resources ◽  
Economic Consequences ◽  
The Arctic ◽  
Schematic Model ◽  
Negative Consequences ◽  
Arctic Zone ◽  
The North ◽  
The Impact

Abstract The development of mineral resources in the Arctic zone of Yakutia is followed by a progressively increasing impact on the environment. Under these conditions, it is necessary to develop such directions for reducing the negative consequences of industrial development that could support the entire ecosystem of the North in a balanced state in strict accordance with the laws of structure, processes and changes in the landscape structure. This can provide a complex geoecological approach that involves a systematic study of the relationships between both natural and man-made objects. In general, this approach is based on the study of the impact processes of athropogenic activities on the environment, changes in the environment and consequences that affect natural and social conditions. Under conditions of extremely low resistance of natural landscapes to any impacts, it is necessary to assess and search for directions reducing the consequences of industrial development. In this regard, a schematic model of indicators systematization of environmental and socio-economic consequences of the functioning of energy supply facilities is developed on the example of the Yana, Indigirka and Kolyma river basins in accordance with the laws of structure, processes and changes in the landscape structure.

Co-Management by Indigenous Minorities of the North over Arctic Territories in the Period of Their Commercial Development

2015 ◽  
Vol 3 (5) ◽  
pp. 0-0
Author(s):  
Геннадий Чеботарев ◽  
Gyennadiy CHyebotaryev ◽  
Елена Гладун ◽  
Elena Gladun
Keyword(s):  
Indigenous Peoples ◽  
Russian Federation ◽  
Economic Activity ◽  
Industrial Development ◽  
The State ◽  
The Arctic ◽  
Commercial Development ◽  
The North ◽  
Indigenous Minorities ◽  
The Russian Federation

The authors explain the significance of the presented subject by the current intensive industrial development of the Arctic territories of the Russian Federation and other Northern countries, which apart from positive economic and social benefits, also brings climate change, environmental problems and destroys traditional lifestyle and economy management of indigenous minorities of the North. The article proves that in many countries indigenous minorities of the North are interested not only in enforcement and guarantees of their rights on the part of the state, but also in making managerial decisions on the use and protection of territories which is the traditional place of their inhabitance and economic activity, together with government authorities and resource-users. The authors view co-management as an efficient model of interrelations between the state, local self-government and indigenous minorities of the North. The authors analyze international rules, foreign laws and regulations, and legislation of the Russian Federation that create legal framework for the implementation of the co-management model in the Arctic territories of Russia. In their article the authors indicate gaps in federal legislation in the area of protection of the Northern indigenous peoples’ rights to govern the territories of their traditional inhabitance and economic activity. In the end the authors state the possibilities to fill the gaps in the federal and regional legislation on the indigenous minorities’ rights, in particular, they suggest approving and ratifying international documents on indigenous peoples, including co-management norms, into the RF legislation, and also expanding possibilities of government and local authorities on indigenous minorities’ involvement into management over the Northern territories.

Perspectives of Natural Biological Resources Development of the Arctic and Northern Territories of Krasnoyarsk Krai

2018 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 187
Author(s):  
Denis Victorovich PARSHUKOV ◽  
Victor Nikolayevich NEVZOROV ◽  
Marina Anatolevna YANOVA ◽  
Elena Nikolayevna OLEYNIKOVA ◽  
Igor Victorovich MATSKEVICH
Keyword(s):  
Industrial Development ◽  
Raw Materials ◽  
Arctic Region ◽  
The Arctic ◽  
Krasnoyarsk Krai ◽  
Biological Resources ◽  
The North ◽  
Northern Territories ◽  
The Arctic Region ◽  
Resources Development

The Arctic region and the Far North have an important strategic significance for the Russian Federation. These territories possess vast resources of mineral raw materials, as well as significant volumes of plant, water and animal resources. The industrial development of the Arctic region and the northern territories has considerable economic perspectives but it creates also external effects (externalities) for ecosystems and the local indigenous population. The purpose of this research is to determine the perspectives of the commercial development and processing of plant and animal raw materials in the areas of residence of the indigenous small-numbered peoples of the north of Krasnoyarsk Krai. The object of the research is the Arctic region and the northern territories of Krasnoyarsk Krai. The main types of plant and animal raw materials are berries, mushrooms, pine nuts, as well as meat and velvet of the reindeer. As a result of the research, the economic estimation of the operational reserves of certain types of forest edible resources was given. The potential volume of the domestic and wild reindeer velvet procurement reserve in Krasnoyarsk Krai was determined. The possible volumes of output of derivative products of plant and animal raw materials of the north of Krasnoyarsk Krai were calculated. The general estimation of the investment attractiveness of the branch was given. When revealing the perspectives of biological resources development, the main specific problems of irrational use of natural resources, access to the labor resources, institutional environment of hunting and cropping business were distinguished.

The assessment of the socio-economic damage of the indigenous peoples due to industrial development of Russian Arctic

2017 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 257-270 ◽  
Author(s):  
Violetta Gassiy ◽  
Ivan Potravny
Keyword(s):  
Indigenous Peoples ◽  
Damage Assessment ◽  
Industrial Development ◽  
Investment Project ◽  
The Arctic ◽  
Economic Damage ◽  
Social Survey ◽  
The North ◽  
The Social ◽  
Project Realization

The paper discusses the problem of the damage assessing to indigenous peoples in modern Russia in the context of industrial development in Arctic. Today the important question is the correlation of the indigenous inhabitants’ interests of the Arctic territories (the preservation of culture, traditional nature, etc.) with the objectives of companies-subsoil users. Therefore, the business’ and the indigenous peoples’ of the North cooperation mechanisms are currently researched and implemented in the industrial development of the territory, both at the primary stage of discussion, coordination of projects, and during investment project realization. The results of the social survey of the indigenous peoples made by the authors in Arctic areas are performed and analyzed in the paper. The research aims to improve the damage assessment methodology used in Russia.

A correlation analysis of the relationship between the indicators of traditional activities and the population of the Arctic zone in the Sakha Republic (Yakutia)

2021 ◽  
pp. 20-26
Author(s):  
Е.В. РОМАНОВА ◽  
Н.В. ХАРАЙДАНОВ
Keyword(s):  
Correlation Analysis ◽  
Indigenous Peoples ◽  
Industrial Development ◽  
Correlation Coefficients ◽  
The Arctic ◽  
Arctic Zone ◽  
Sakha Republic ◽  
The North ◽  
The Republic ◽  
The Relationship

В статье представлены результаты корреляционного анализа взаимосвязи показателей численности населения Арктической зоны республики и результатов традиционного хозяйствования, которые для населения являются жизнеобеспечивающими. Стратегическое развитие Арктической зоны России и в том числе Республики Саха (Якутия) нацелено на создание опорных зон развития, формирование которых должно носить комплексный характер, учитывающий и промышленное освоение территорий, и защиту уклада жизни малочисленных коренных народов Севера. При этом статистика народонаселения свидетельствует о сокращении численности населения. Поэтому в статье была принята гипотеза о взаимосвязи показателей численности населения и показателей традиционного хозяйствования, среди которых были выбраны показатели поголовья северных оленей, крупного рогатого скота и лошадей. Для анализа взаимосвязей была использована эмпирическая база статистических данных за период 2017-2019 гг. по 13-ти арктическим районам (улусам) Арктической зоны Республики Саха (Якутия). Для проведения корреляционного анализа предварительно была изучена вариация по значениям показателей. Высокий уровень вариации показателей может быть объяснен тем фактом, что территория Арктической зоны республики достаточно обширна, включает 13 муниципальных районов, для каждого из которых характерен тот или иной вид хозяйствования. Корреляционный анализ включал расчет линейных парных коэффициентов корреляции за каждый год исследуемого периода. Значения коэффициентов корреляции показали, что взаимосвязь существует и имеет умеренно-сильный характер только по показателям поголовья КРС и лошадей, а по показателю поголовья северных оленей взаимосвязь не подтвердилась. В дополнение к показателям корреляции были рассчитаны коэффициенты эластичности, которые подтвердили данные выводы. Результаты исследования могут быть использованы для повышения степени информированности органов государственной и местной власти в части разработки и реализации государственных мероприятий по освоению Севера России. The article presents the results of a correlation analysis of the relationship between the indices of the number of indigenous peoples of northern Yakutia and the results of traditional management, which are life-supporting for the population of the Arctic zone of the republic. The strategic development of the Russian Arctic zone, including the Sakha Republic (Yakutia), is aimed at creating supporting development zones, the formation of which should be of an integrated nature, taking into account both the industrial development of territories and the protection of the way of life of the indigenous peoples of the North. At the same time, the population statistics indicate a decline in the population. Therefore, the article adopted a hypothesis about the relationship between population indicators and indicators of traditional farming (the number of reindeer, cattle, and horses). To analyze the relationships, we used an empirical database of statistical data for the period 2017-2019 for 13 Arctic districts (uluses) of the Arctic zone of the Sakha Republic (Yakutia). To carry out the correlation analysis, the variation in the values ​​of the indicators was preliminarily studied. The high level of variation in indicators can be explained by the fact that the territory of the Arctic zone of the republic is quite extensive, including 13 municipal districts, each of which is characterized by one or another type of management. The correlation analysis included the calculation of linear paired correlation coefficients for each year of the study period. The values ​​of the correlation coefficients showed that the relationship exists and has a moderately strong character only in terms of the number of cattle and horses; in terms of the number of reindeer, the relationship was not confirmed. In addition to the correlation measures, elasticity coefficients were calculated, which confirmed these conclusions. The results of the study can be used to increase the awareness of state and local authorities in terms of the development and implementation of state measures for the development of the North of Russia.

scholarly journals Bird Use of Northern Alaska Oilfield Rehabilitation Sites

ARCTIC ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 71 (4) ◽  
pp. 422-430
Author(s):  
Rebecca Bentzen ◽  
Joe Liebezeit ◽  
Martin Robards ◽  
Bill Streever ◽  
Samantha Strindberg ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Anthropogenic Disturbance ◽  
Industrial Development ◽  
Migratory Birds ◽  
Breeding Habitat ◽  
The Arctic ◽  
Reference Sites ◽  
Breeding Bird ◽  
The North ◽  
North Slope Of Alaska ◽  
Northern Alaska

Breeding bird response to habitat rehabilitation after anthropogenic disturbance has received little attention in the Arctic. The North Slope of Alaska is an important breeding ground for many populations of migratory birds and has also supported major oilfields since the late 1960s. The most obvious impacts of industrial development to nesting birds are direct habitat loss and fragmentation resulting from the construction of infrastructure, along with increased mechanical noise, vehicle traffic, and other forms of anthropogenic disturbance. In response to state and federal requirements, efforts have been made to rehabilitate abandoned portions of the oilfields. We compared bird use at rehabilitation sites and at nearby paired reference sites. Densities of shorebirds and passerines varied between rehabilitation sites and reference sites, but waterfowl densities did not. Specifically, passerine and shorebird densities were higher at reference sites in the early or mid-season and lower at reference sites in the late season. Additionally, birds on rehabilitation sites were primarily observed foraging and resting, while behavior observed on paired reference sites was more diverse and included courtship displays, nesting, and aggression. Further, rehabilitation sites supported significantly fewer nests and fewer species than recorded at reference sites. Our findings suggest that sites 3 to 10 years post rehabilitation do not provide bird habitat comparable to nearby reference sites and, by extension, do not provide shorebird and passerine habitat comparable to that found prior to development. However, rehabilitation sites appear to provide adequate habitat for waterfowl and are important to shorebirds and passerines as foraging areas. Continued monitoring will be needed to establish the long-term suitability of rehabilitation sites, compared to reference sites, as breeding habitat for birds.

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