Project Title: ArcSolution: Arctic Pollution in a One Health Perspective–from Complex Challenges to Sustainable SolutionsShort Title: ArcSolution: Emerging Pollutants and Health in the Arctic PI: Bing Chen, Memorial University of NewfoundlandBackground, Research Questions and Objectives:The Arctic is warming about twice as fast as the global average, causing permafrost thaw, shifting ice patterns, and more extreme weather. These changes, together with pollution from distant sources and local activities like fuel handling, shipping, and lagoon retention, increase the risk of exposure to emerging contaminants in Cambridge Bay.The key contaminants of concern include:•Microplastics: tiny plastic pieces that persist and move through food webs.•PFAS: very stable man-made chemicals used in firefighting foams and many products.•Oil-related compounds: linked to fuel use and marine activity.•PBDEs: flame retardants that accumulate in people and animals and may affect health.Many of these substances travel long distances, break down slowly in cold environments, and may build up in traditional food chains. Building on earlier Northern Contaminants Program work that found PBDEs in nearby regions, this project will identify which contaminants are present around Cambridge Bay, how seasons and climate affect them, and whether they accumulate in species important for food and culture. Our goal is to understand patterns, movement, and potential impacts on food security, and to develop practical responses with local partners. Why This Study MattersCambridge Bay’s coastal environment is especially vulnerable because climate change increases both the mobility and persistence of pollutants. Thawing permafrost and changes in water flow can release old, stored contaminants, while lagoons and nearshore areas can trap pollution and later release it back into the environment. Emerging contaminants that remain in the ecosystem for long periods may have more opportunities to enter the food webs that Indigenous communities rely on.There is still limited understanding of how these contaminants behave across seasons, how they build up in animals, and how they may affect local diets. This project, supported by Canada’s New Frontiers in Research Fund (NFRF) and embedded in a global framework led by the European Union, will fill that gap. By comparing results from Cambridge Bay with other Arctic regions, the project will help create more effective local strategies and contribute to international efforts to protect northern communities from emerging pollution risks in a rapidly changing climate.Where, When, and How Long the Field Research Will Take Place:Fieldwork will focus on Cambridge Bay, the lagoon, and nearby coastal areas where pollutant inputs and accumulation may affect community resources. We plan three to four sampling trips each year to capture seasonal differences. Early meetings with the community will help set priorities and plan logistics. Vessel support from the Arctic Research Foundation will help us access both nearshore and remote sites.Methods:With guidance from local partners/community, we will collect water, sediment/soil, permafrost, and biological samples. We will study microbes and microalgae, and we will only obtain fish from local harvests following the DFO scientific-sampling licence process. In the lab, we will reproduce Arctic-like conditions to see how pollutants change over time, move through simple food chains, and build up. We will combine field observations with lab results to understand possible effects on key dietary species and to identify safe, culturally appropriate response options.Regulators and Permits:Following discussions with the Nunavut Planning Commission (NPC) and based on their referral, this scientific research project will obtain the required approvals from:•Nunavut Impact Review Board (NIRB): environmental screening•Nunavut Research Institute (NRI): research licence.•Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO): biological (fish) sampling permit.•Nunavut Water Board (NWB): water-related approvals How, When, and With Whom Results Will Be Shared in Nunavut:Results will be shared throughout the project with the Cambridge Bay community and territorial stakeholders. In collaboration with local Inuit partners,including the Kitikmeot Inuit Association, the Hunters and Trappers Organization, and Hamlet leadership — we will jointly interpret findings. After each seasonal campaign, interim results will be shared through community meetings, plain-language summaries, and feedback sessions with elders, youth, and other knowledge holders.Final products, including contamination maps, food-web risk assessments, and mitigation recommendations, will be co-developed to support local decision-making. We will also report on training and capacity-building outcomes and provide final reports to territorial and regional authorities to support environmental stewardship and policy development.