Arctic Monitoring Research Articles

Potential of the Arkhangelsk seismic network for European Arctic monitoring

The Arkhangelsk Seismic Network (ASN) of the N. Laverov Federal Center for Integrated Arctic Research of the Ural Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, founded in 2003, includes 10 permanent seismic stations located on the coasts of the White, Barents, and Kara Seas and on the Arctic archipelagos of Novaya Zemlya, Franz Josef Land, and Severnaya Zemlya. The network is registered with the International Federation of Digital Seismograph Networks and the International Seismological Center. We used not only ASN data to process earthquakes but also the waveforms of various international seismic stations. The 13,000 seismic events were registered using ASN data for 2012–2022, and for 5,500 of them, we determined the parameters of the earthquake epicenters from the European Arctic. The spatial distribution of epicenters shows that the ASN monitors not only the main seismically active zones but also weak seismicity on the shelf of the Barents and Kara Seas. The representative magnitude of ASN was ML, rep=3.5. The level of microseismic noise has seasonal variations that affect the registration capabilities of each station included in the ASN and the overall sensitivity of the network as a whole. In summer, the sensitivity of the ASN decreased owing to the increasing microseismic and ambient noises, whereas in winter, the sensitivity of the ASN increased significantly because of the decrease.

Thermal stress during incubation in an arctic breeding seabird

Arctic breeding seabirds have experienced dramatic population declines in recent decades. The population of Arctic skuas (Stercorarius parasiticus) nesting on the Faroe Islands, North Atlantic, breed near the southern extent of their breeding range and are experiencing some of the largest declines. This is thought to be caused in part by increased warming due to climate change and thus, it is becoming critical to investigate the proximate and ultimate effects of the thermal environment on parental physiology, behaviour and breeding success. Behavioural observations at an Arctic skua long-term monitoring colony were undertaken during the 2016 breeding season to determine the frequencies of thermoregulatory panting, and interrupted incubation events. Incubating Arctic skuas showed thermoregulatory behaviour at air temperatures (Ta) of 9 °C, which suggested that they may be operating near their upper thermal tolerance limit. Arctic skuas spent significantly more time panting as Ta increases, wind speed decreases and sun exposure increases. This relationship was apparent even within the narrow ranges of Ta (7.5–15 °C) and wind speed (0-5 ms−1) recorded. Incubation effort was not continuous with birds leaving the nest for up to 100% of the observation block. While we found no relationship between interrupted incubation and environmental conditions, panting was only observed in birds that were simultaneously incubating eggs. These results highlight the constraints on birds during the incubation phase of breeding, and indicate a potential maladaptive behaviour of maintaining incubation despite the increased cost of thermoregulation under warming temperatures in this species. However, the relationship between thermal stress, nest absence and demographic parameters remains unclear, highlighting the importance of longitudinal and/or high-resolution studies that focus on Arctic specialists and the interrelationships between environmental factors, nest absence rates and productivity.

A cumulative human health risk assessment of the traditional diet of Indigenous youth in Western James Bay, Canada

Environmental contaminant exposure from traditional food consumption presents a risk for Indigenous youth (i.e., children and adolescents) who live in northern Canada; however, there are few studies targeting this demographic. Essential (Co, Cr, Mn, and Se) and non-essential (As, Cd, Hg, Ni, Pb, and Sb) metals and metalloids, and fourteen polychlorinated biphenyl (PCBs) congeners in 229 tissue samples of traditionally consumed foods were analyzed (i.e., birds, fish, and large mammals) using the Arctic Monitoring and Assessment Programme protocol. Deterministic and probabilistic Monte Carlo risk assessments were used to estimate the risk of exposure to contaminants via the consumption of traditional foods; a maximum cumulative ratio calculation (MCR) to assess the risk of a varied diet of traditional foods for metals and metalloids was also carried out. There was a probabilistic risk of exposure to Hg from the consumption of pike, sucker, and walleye for children; the MCR supported the result that the risk was due mainly to Hg. Dietary exposure to PCB congener 153 (PCB-153) was primarily due to the consumption of pike and sucker. There was also a risk of exposure to three other PCB congeners (PCB-101, -180, -187) from the consumption of sucker. Our assessment indicates a risk of exposure to Hg and certain PCBs; however, the actual risk of exposure varies with season, differences in traditional food consumption, and local levels of the toxicant. Therefore, monitoring and communicating information to affected communities on an annual basis is recommended.

Characteristics of Anthropogenic Pollution in the Atmospheric Air of South-Western Svalbard (Hornsund, Spring 2019)

The character of atmospheric pollution and its impact on surface waters may vary substantially in space, and hence, we add a potentially important location for the studies of atmospheric air pollution to the map of the High Arctic. We have investigated the anthropogenic particle characteristics and selected persistent organic pollutant concentrations, in a priorly unmonitored location in the Arctic (Svalbard), exposed to a climatic gradient. Single-particle analysis of PM indicates that besides the prevailing natural aerosol particles, anthropogenic ones were present. The likely anthropogenic origin of some particles was established for spherical Fe-rich or aluminosilicate particles formed in high-temperature processes or metal-rich particles of the chemical composition corresponding to industrial products and atypical for natural minerals; soot, tar balls, and secondary sulfate were also likely of anthropogenic origin. Some of the observed anthropogenic particles could only come from remote industrial sources. POP concentrations indicated a background of LRAT, consistent with the ΣPCB concentrations and volatility profile. However, the ΣDDX composition indicating aged sources and an order of magnitude higher concentrations of both ΣDDXs and ΣHCHs than at other High Arctic monitoring stations indicate their potential source in two types of re-emission from secondary sources, i.e., from seawater and snowpack, respectively.

Microplastic and other anthropogenic microparticles in Arctic char (Salvelinus alpinus) and their coastal habitat: A first-look at a central Canadian Arctic commercial fishery

In the recent monitoring guidelines released by the Arctic Monitoring and Assessment Program's Litter and Microplastic Expert Group, Arctic salmonids were recommended as an important species for monitoring plastics in Arctic ecosystems, with an emphasis on aligning microplastic sampling and analysis methods in Arctic fishes. This recommendation was based on the minimal documentation of microplastics in Northern fishes, especially Arctic salmonids. In response, we worked collaboratively with local partners to quantify and characterize microplastics in Arctic char, Salvelinus alpinus, and their habitats in a commercial fishery near Iqaluktuuttiaq (Cambridge Bay), Nunavut. We sampled Arctic char, surface water, and benthic sediments within their summer foraging habitat at Palik (Byron Bay). We found microplastics in 95 % of char with an average of 26 (SD ± 19) particles per individual. On average, surface water samples had 23 (SD ± 12) particles/L and benthic sediment <1 particles/gww. This is the first documentation of plastic pollution in Arctic char and their coastal habitats. Future work should evaluate seasonal, temporal and spatial trends for long-term monitoring of microplastics in Arctic fishes and their habitats.

Remote Sensing Revolution: Mapping Land Productivity and Vegetation Trends with Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs)

Abstract: This review paper offers a comprehensive exploration of the multifaceted applications of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) in various domains, showcasing their transformative impact in addressing complex challenges. The evaluation of cloud-based UAV systems' stability reveals their robustness and reliability, underlining their significance in numerous industries. Additionally, their role in enhancing robot navigation in intricate environments signifies a substantial advancement in robotics and automation. The integration of blockchain technology for secure Internet of Things (IoT) data transfer emphasizes the critical importance of data integrity and confidentiality in the IoT era. Furthermore, the optimization of energy-efficient data collection in IoT networks through UAVs demonstrates their potential to revolutionize data-driven decision-making processes, particularly in fields reliant on data accuracy and timeliness. The paper also highlights the application of deep reinforcement learning to enhance UAV-assisted IoT data collection, showcasing the synergy between advanced machine learning techniques and UAV technology. Finally, the discussion underscores the pivotal role of UAVs in precision agriculture, where they facilitate ecological farming practices and monitor environmental conditions, contributing to the pursuit of sustainable and efficient agriculture. This review reaffirms UAVs' status as transformative tools, reshaping industries and unlocking new frontiers of innovation and problem-solving. With ongoing technological advancements, UAVs are poised to play an increasingly central role in a wide range of applications, promising a future marked by ground breaking possibilities. Key findings include the dominance of the United States and China in the field, exploration of characteristics such as crop production, and innovative UAV-based methods for grassland mapping, maize growth assessment, and Arctic plant species monitoring. The research underscores the potential of UAVs in bridging field data and satellite mapping, providing valuable insights into diverse applications, from soil analysis to yield predictions, highlighting their transformative role in environmental monitoring and precision agriculture

Evaluating modelled tropospheric columns of CH4, CO, and O3 in the Arctic using ground-based Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) measurements

Abstract. This study evaluates tropospheric columns of methane, carbon monoxide, and ozone in the Arctic simulated by 11 models. The Arctic is warming at nearly 4 times the global average rate, and with changing emissions in and near the region, it is important to understand Arctic atmospheric composition and how it is changing. Both measurements and modelling of air pollution in the Arctic are difficult, making model validation with local measurements valuable. Evaluations are performed using data from five high-latitude ground-based Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectrometers in the Network for the Detection of Atmospheric Composition Change (NDACC). The models were selected as part of the 2021 Arctic Monitoring and Assessment Programme (AMAP) report on short-lived climate forcers. This work augments the model–measurement comparisons presented in that report by including a new data source: column-integrated FTIR measurements, whose spatial and temporal footprint is more representative of the free troposphere than in situ and satellite measurements. Mixing ratios of trace gases are modelled at 3-hourly intervals by CESM, CMAM, DEHM, EMEP MSC-W, GEM-MACH, GEOS-Chem, MATCH, MATCH-SALSA, MRI-ESM2, UKESM1, and WRF-Chem for the years 2008, 2009, 2014, and 2015. The comparisons focus on the troposphere (0–7 km partial columns) at Eureka, Canada; Thule, Greenland; Ny Ålesund, Norway; Kiruna, Sweden; and Harestua, Norway. Overall, the models are biased low in the tropospheric column, on average by −9.7 % for CH4, −21 % for CO, and −18 % for O3. Results for CH4 are relatively consistent across the 4 years, whereas CO has a maximum negative bias in the spring and minimum in the summer and O3 has a maximum difference centered around the summer. The average differences for the models are within the FTIR uncertainties for approximately 15 % of the model–location comparisons.

Advancements in geodesy techniques for Arctic region monitoring

The Arctic region is undergoing unprecedented environmental changes due to global climate change, necessitating robust monitoring and research efforts. Geodesy, the science of accurately measuring Earth's shape, orientation, and gravitational field, plays a critical role in understanding these changes. This article explores the applications, challenges, and future directions of geodesy in the Arctic. Satellite-based techniques such as GNSS, SAR, and satellite altimetry are utilized to monitor ice mass loss, sea level rise, and land deformation with high precision. Challenges in Arctic geodesy include harsh environmental conditions, data accuracy, and the integration of multi-source data. Despite these challenges, ongoing advancements in satellite technology, data processing algorithms, and collaboration initiatives hold promise for addressing these issues and improving our understanding of Arctic environmental dynamics. By leveraging geodesy techniques and emerging technologies, researchers can contribute to the sustainable management of the Arctic environment and its broader implications for global climate change mitigation and adaptation.

Connecting Community-Based Monitoring to environmental governance in the Arctic: A systematic scoping review of the literature

Arctic Community-Based Monitoring (CBM) programs occur within complex governance landscapes. Indigenous rightsholders are increasingly significant political actors and where environmental and political injustices related to climate change and resource development motivate monitoring. We draw on a systematic scoping literature review to examine the current state of the literature on Arctic CBM and environmental governance. Relevant articles (n=27) were identified through inclusion/exclusion criteria (i.e., English language, peer reviewed, published between 1991 and 2021, based on primary research) and analyzed using a data extraction questionnaire. We find that there is a growing focus on the relationship between Arctic CBM and governance at a variety of scales and in a range of environmental systems. Importantly, Indigenous peoples play a significant role within this literature in that most included articles discussed Indigenous Knowledge. However, less than half of the articles discussed Indigenous peoples as rightsholders with significant governance roles. Based on our findings we recommend future studies engage critical analysis of the influence of the, often unequal, governance and politics in the Arctic 1) on environmental decision-making, 2) the politics of knowledge, and 3) the use of digital technologies in the collection, storage, and mobilization of CBM data.

Ensuring continuity and impact in Arctic monitoring: a solution-orientated model for community-based environmental research

Community-based monitoring (CBM) is increasingly cited as a means of collecting valuable baseline data that can contribute to our understanding of environmental change whilst supporting Indigenous governance and self-determination in research. However, current environmental CBM models have specific limitations that impact program effectiveness and the progression of research stages beyond data collection. Here, we highlight key aspects that limit the progression of Arctic CBM programs which include funding constraints, organisational structures, and operational processes. Exemplars from collaborative environmental research conducted in the acutely climate change impacted Hamlet of Tuktoyaktuk, Inuvialuit Settlement Region (ISR), Canada, are used to identify co-developed solutions to address these challenges. These learnings from experience-based collaborations feed into a new solution-orientated model of environmental community-based research (CBR) that emphasises continuity between and community ownership in all research stages to enable a more complete research workflow. Clear recommendations are provided to develop a more coherent approach to achieving this model, which can be adapted to guide the development of successful environmental CBR programs in different research and place-based contexts.

Monitoring ground-nesting seabirds in the Canadian Arctic: the Nasaruvaalik Island Field Station

The Nasaruvaalik Island field station in the high Arctic was established to facilitate research and monitoring on rare seabird species, largely to meet regulatory obligations defined in Canada's Species At Risk Act. After building a small research facility at the site, investigations have not only shed new insights on at-risk seabirds but have (1) provided new insights into movements and annual habitat needs of other ground-nesting seabirds, (2) shown effects of weather on seabird breeding effort and success, (3) determined contaminant concentrations in species that have generally been overlooked in Arctic pollution monitoring, and (4) have captured trends in local breeding populations that appear to mirror region-wide trends. However, the future of monitoring at the site is unclear, as safety concerns, considerations of new approaches to Arctic research, and monitoring priorities in a time of multiple environmental stressors may be shifting.

Development of a multi-scale monitoring programme: approaches for the Arctic and lessons learned from the Circumpolar Biodiversity Monitoring Programme 2002-2022

The Arctic Council working group, the Conservation of Arctic Flora and Fauna (CAFF) established the Circumpolar Biodiversity Monitoring Programme (CBMP), an international network of scientists, governments, Indigenous organizations, and conservation groups working to harmonize and integrate efforts to extend and develop monitoring and assessment of the Arctic’s biodiversity. Its relevance stretches beyond the Arctic to a broad range of regional and global initiatives and agreements. This paper describes the process and approach taken in the last two decades to develop and implement the CBMP. It documents challenges encountered, lessons learnt, and solutions, and considers how it has been a model for national, regional, and global monitoring programmes; explores how it has impacted Arctic biodiversity monitoring, assessment, and policy and concludes with observations on key issues and next steps. The following are overarching prerequisites identified in the implementation of the CBMP: effective coordination, sufficient and sustained funding, improved standards and protocols, co-production of knowledge and equitable involvement of IK approaches, data management to facilitating regional analysis and comparisons, communication and outreach to raising awareness and engagement in the programme, ensuring resources to engage in international fora to ensuring programme implementation.

The role of the Arctic Monitoring and Assessment Programme (AMAP) in reducing pollution of the Arctic and around the globe

This article presents the initiation and implementation of a systematic scientific and political cooperation in the Arctic related to environmental pollution and climate change, with a special focus on the role of the Arctic Monitoring and Assessment Programme (AMAP). The AMAP initiative has coordinated monitoring and assessments of environmental pollution across countries and parameters for the entire Arctic region. Starting from a first scientific assessment in 1998, AMAP's work has been fundamental in recognizing, understanding and addressing environmental and human health issues in the Arctic, including those of persistent organic pollutants (POPs), mercury, radioactivity, oil, acidification and climate change. These scientific results have contributed at local and international levels to define and take measures towards reducing the pollution not only in the Arctic, but of the whole globe, especially the contaminant exposure of indigenous and local communities with a traditional lifestyle. The results related to climate change have documented the rapid changes in the Arctic and the strong feedback between the Arctic and the rest of the world. The lessons learned from the work in the Arctic can be beneficial for other regions where contaminants may accumulate and affect local and indigenous peoples living in a traditional way, e.g. in the Himalayas. Global cooperation is indispensable in reducing the long-range transported pollution in the Arctic.

Observing the Arctic: A comparison of environmental DNA (eDNA) and electrofishing for monitoring Arctic char and Atlantic salmon

AbstractThe current knowledge about fish biodiversity and species distributions in Arctic freshwater systems is generally limited. This contrasts the clear urgency for more accurate biodiversity data to assess the effects of future ecosystem challenges such as climate change and other anthropogenic effects. Here we compare traditional electrofishing surveys with environmental DNA (eDNA) for monitoring species distribution of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) and Arctic char (Salvelinus alpinus) in the West Greenlandic sub‐Arctic river system of Kapisillit, which contains the only known population of Atlantic salmon in Greenland. Overall, electrofishing and eDNA surveys show high compatibility in regard to species detection and quantification, with Arctic char confirming a significant relationship between eDNA concentration and observed fish abundance. Both methods confirm a shift in species occurrence and relative species abundance through the river system. Specifically, salmon is restricted to the lower warmer sections of the river system while Arctic char is found throughout the system but dominates the upper parts. In total, the study supports eDNA as a promising tool for fish community assessment, which may serve a wide array of applications for Arctic freshwater monitoring. These applications include analyzing species occurrence and distribution of native and invasive species, as well as documenting potential shifts in relative species abundance as shown here. Given the ease of sampling and high sensitivity of the method, eDNA provides a powerful cost‐effective approach capable of detecting species in remote areas as well as corroborating fish community monitoring programs. This may especially be valuable for monitoring in the Arctic where logistic complications with sampling and high operational costs so far constrains routine monitoring.

Berlin statement on legacy and emerging contaminants in polar regions

Polar regions should be given greater consideration with respect to the monitoring, risk assessment, and management of potentially harmful chemicals, consistent with requirements of the precautionary principle. Protecting the vulnerable polar environments requires (i) raising political and public awareness and (ii) restricting and preventing global emissions of harmful chemicals at their sources. The Berlin Statement is the outcome of an international workshop with representatives of the European Commission, the Arctic Council, the Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting, the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs), environmental specimen banks, and data centers, as well as scientists from various international research institutions. The statement addresses urgent chemical pollution issues in the polar regions and provides recommendations for improving screening, monitoring, risk assessment, research cooperation, and open data sharing to provide environmental policy makers and chemicals management decision-makers with relevant and reliable contaminant data to better protect the polar environments. The consensus reached at the workshop can be summarized in just two words: “Act now!”Specifically, “Act now!” to reduce the presence and impact of anthropogenic chemical pollution in polar regions by.•Establishing participatory co-development frameworks in a permanent multi-disciplinary platform for Arctic-Antarctic collaborations and establishing exchanges between the Arctic Monitoring and Assessment Program (AMAP) of the Arctic Council and the Antarctic Monitoring and Assessment Program (AnMAP) of the Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research (SCAR) to increase the visibility and exchange of contaminant data and to support the development of harmonized monitoring programs.•Integrating environmental specimen banking, innovative screening approaches and archiving systems, to provide opportunities for improved assessment of contaminants to protect polar regions.

UAV-SfM and Geographic Object-Based Image Analysis for Measuring Multi-Temporal Planimetric and Volumetric Erosion of Arctic Coasts

Monitoring and quantifying the rapid changes along Arctic coasts is becoming increasingly important as above average warming in the Arctic is contributing to increasing rates of erosion leading to dramatic impacts on coastal ecosystems and communities. Understanding the impacts of Arctic coastal erosion on the climate system across large coastal scales requires improvements in measurement techniques. We analyzed two coastal sites in Kugmallit Bay (near Tuktoyaktuk, Northwest Territories, Canada), over a one-week and one-year time interval. Using high-resolution imagery from Unoccupied Aerial Vehicles with Structure from Motion (UAV-SfM), we investigated the influence of unique coastal indicator features on reported planimetric and volumetric measurements and explored the use of Geographic Object Based Image Analysis (GEOBIA) to semi-automate the process of coastal feature extraction. We observed temporally dependent differences between coastal feature movements, planimetrically and volumetrically, and object-based feature extraction accuracy was found to be feature dependent. Our research has made methodological improvements to Arctic coastal measurements, particularly at high spatiotemporal scales, which highlights considerations relevant to broad scale Arctic coastal monitoring and quantification.

Environmental Monitoring for Arctic Resiliency and Sustainability: An Integrated Approach with Topic Modeling and Network Analysis

The Arctic environment is experiencing profound and rapid changes that will have far-reaching implications for resilient and sustainable development at the local and global levels. To achieve sustainable Arctic futures, it is critical to equip policymakers and global and regional stake- and rights-holders with knowledge and data regarding the ongoing changes in the Arctic environment. Community monitoring is an important source of environmental data in the Arctic but this research argues that community-generated data are under-utilized in the literature. A key challenge to leveraging community-based Arctic environmental monitoring is that it often takes the form of large, unstructured data consisting of field documents, media reports, and transcripts of oral histories. In this study, we integrated two computational approaches—topic modeling and network analysis—to identify environmental changes and their implications for resilience and sustainability in the Arctic. Using data from community monitoring reports of unusual environmental events in the Arctic that span a decade, we identified clusters of environmental challenges: permafrost thawing, infrastructure degradation, animal populations, and fluctuations in energy supply, among others. Leveraging visualization and analytical techniques from network science, we further identified the evolution of environmental challenges over time and contributing factors to the interconnections between these challenges. The study concludes by discussing practical and methodological contributions to Arctic resiliency and sustainability.

Evaluation of 137Cs, 133Xe and 3H activity concentrations monitored in the Arctic atmosphere

This paper provides a brief introduction to the Arctic atmospheric radioactivity monitoring network. A decade of monitoring results have shown the 137Cs background levels in Arctic air range from 0.05 to 1.50 μBq/m3. The monitoring stations have sufficient sensitivity to detect 137Cs brought to the atmosphere due to resuspension in local soil and reemissions from biomass burning in a daily temporal resolution. These observations can be used as tracers for atmospheric processes. The 133Xe measurements obtained at Yellowknife, Resolute and Spitsbergen could support other research into how air pollution problems arise across intercontinental distances. It will help develop and improve models capable of predicting the long-distance transport and deposition of trace gases in the Arctic. Rainwater monitoring data collected in Finnish Lapland since the 1960's indicate that 3H radioactivity concentrations reached natural background levels in early 2000s, typically around 1–2 Bq/L monthly, with an annual seasonal variation cycle consistent with the observed of other cosmogenic radionuclides.

Future monitoring of litter and microplastics in the Arctic—challenges, opportunities, and strategies

The Arctic Monitoring and Assessment Programme has published a plan and guidelines for the monitoring of litter and microplastics (MP) in the Arctic. Here, we look beyond suggestions for immediate monitoring and discuss challenges, opportunities, and future strategies in the long-term monitoring of litter and MP in the Arctic. Challenges are related to environmental conditions, lack of harmonization and standardization of measurements, and long-term coordinated and harmonized data storage. Furthermore, major knowledge gaps exist with regard to benchmark levels, transport, sources, and effects, which should be considered in future monitoring strategies. Their development could build on the existing infrastructure and networks established in other monitoring initiatives in the Arctic, while taking into account specific requirements for litter and MP monitoring. Knowledge existing in northern and Indigenous communities, as well as their research priorities, should be integrated into collaborative approaches. The monitoring plan for litter and MP in the Arctic allows for an ecosystem-based approach, which will improve the understanding of linkages between environmental media of the Arctic, as well as links to the global problem of litter and MP pollution.

The power of multi-matrix monitoring in the Pan-Arctic region: plastics in water and sediment

Litter and microplastic assessments are being carried out worldwide. Arctic ecosystems are no exception and plastic pollution is high on the Arctic Council's agenda. Water and sediment have been identified as two of the priority compartments for monitoring plastics under the Arctic Monitoring and Assessment Programme (AMAP). Recommendations for monitoring both compartments are presented in this publication. Alone, such samples can provide information on presence, fate, and potential impacts to ecosystems. Together, the quantification of microplastics in sediment and water from the same region produce a three-dimensional picture of plastics, not only a snapshot of floating or buoyant plastics in the surface water or water column but also a picture of the plastics reaching the shoreline or benthic sediments, in lakes, rivers, and the ocean. Assessment methodologies must be adapted to the ecosystems of interest to generate reliable data. In its current form, published data on plastic pollution in the Arctic is sporadic and collected using a wide spectrum of methods which limits the extent to which data can be compared. A harmonised and coordinated effort is needed to gather data on plastic pollution for the Pan-Arctic. Such information will aid in identifying priority regions and focusing mitigation efforts.