Pollutants from shipping - new environmental challenges in the subarctic and the Arctic Ocean

Abstract

Maritime activities in the subarctic and Arctic Ocean are predicted to substantially increase in the future due to climate change and declining sea ice cover. Inevitably, the consequences will be seen in impacts on marine ecosystems in this region at many different levels, such as increased pollution load due to antifouling biocides, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, metals and pharmaceuticals. Here we discuss the current situation and evaluate the effect of increased shipping on the environmental status of subarctic and Arctic waters, in relation to elevated loads of both legacy and emerging pollutants in the region. It is of high importance to evaluate the current levels of selected pollutants, which will most likely rise in near future. Furthermore, it is important to improve our understanding of the effects of these pollutants on marine organisms at high latitudes, as the pollutants may behave differently in cold environments compared to organisms at lower latitudes, due to dissimilar physiological responses and adaptations of the cold-water organisms. Integrative studies are needed to better understand the impact of pollutants on the marine fauna while monitoring programmes and research should be continued, with an increased capacity for emerging pollutants of concern.