Modelling the Long-Term Fate and Transport Pathways of Pollutant in the Canadian Arctic

• Author / Creator

  Tao, Ran

• Sea ice in the Arctic Ocean has been declining at an accelerated rate over the last few decades. From a shipping perspective, it results in larger open water for a longer period. Since 1990’s, ship traffic in the Canadian Arctic has nearly tripled, and it will continue to increase in the future. However, the declining sea ice also resulted in more mobile multi-year ice in the complex waterways of the Canadian Arctic, which presents significant risk to maritime operations. Due to its remoteness, harsh environment, and insufficient supportive infrastructures, if an accidental spill occurred, the pollutant would not be recovered within the same operating season. Therefore, I am motivated to study the long-term fate and transport pathways of pollutant spilt along the two major shipping routes in the Canadian Arctic (Northwest Passages and Arctic Bridge). I used a high-resolution numerical model, NEMO (Nucleaus for European Modelling of the Ocean) in the regional configuration, ANHA12 (Arctic and Northern Hemisphere Atlantic). The pollutants are represented by a Lagrangian particle tracking tool, ARIANE. The particles are released along the Northwest Passages and Arctic Bridge every 10 days during the operating season (1st June ~ 31st October) for 12 years (2004 ~ 2015). By analysing the circulation pathway of particles, the role of oceanic advection in the spread of pollutant is highlighted. More importantly, I computed the spreading area covered by particles, distances particles travelled, percentage of deep spread (depth exceeding 90 m), and the probability of particles, so that the ‘worse-case’ scenario can be illuminated. This study provides an oceanographic overview to the commercially opening of the Canadian Arctic, especially in the role of oceanic advection in the spread of pollutant. By determining when and over which region the spill of pollutant could have the most severe consequence, this research can aid in the future development and regulation in the Canadian Arctic, and highlights the need for more detailed case studies.

• Subjects / Keywords

  • Physical Oceanography

• Graduation date

  Spring 2020

• Type of Item

  Thesis

• Degree

  Master of Science

• DOI

  https://doi.org/10.7939/r3-hgg2-5g21

• License

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