Seismic surveys and the Greenland regulation

Abstract

How will the cumulative impact of industrialization affect the area in the future?Currently, there is an impact from long-transported pollutants, while the impact from ship traffic is limited and no mineral extraction takes place. However, there are a number of mineral exploration projects, including the Dundas Ilmenite titanium project (high-grade sand), which is about to develop into extraction and hence may increase shipping and disturbance. All offshore oil licenses have been given up in the Greenland part of the northern Baffin Bay and new licensees are not expected in the near future. Canada has no oil licenses in the area, but is preparing a Strategic Environmental Impact Assessment for oil activities in Baffin Bay.Long-transported mercury is the single most important pollutant in the area. The mercury contamination in especially narwhal meat is alarming, and can cause an intake high above recommended levels for humans. The long-transported mercury comes from burning of coal, artisanal and small scale gold mining and the use of mercury in the industrialized part of the world, which pollutes the air. Global atmospheric processes transport the polluted air to the Arctic, where mercury is deposited and assimilated in the food chain. The international Minamata Convention tries to curb the pollution, but the increasing trend in mercury concentration has not yet been reversed.More shipping in relation to tourism and mining, and especially seismic surveys, may increase underwater noise and lead to significant impacts on the distribution of marine mammals. Potentially, animals may be scared away from important habitats and hunting areas, where they are harvested locally. Caution, including the use of monitoring and adaptive management, is advised.