A remedy previously effective against oil spills may prove inadequate in the Canadian Arctic, potentially leading to severe harm in case of a spill, warn researchers. The GenIce II team, led by Eric Collins from the University of Manitoba, found that oil-degrading microbes in Arctic waters react slowly to oil contamination, taking weeks to begin breaking down the oil, which is insufficient for real spill scenarios.
In response to the 2010 Deepwater Horizon disaster, which highlighted the role of natural microbial communities in cleaning up oil spills, Collins’s team is studying how microbes in Arctic waters, different from those in warmer regions like the Gulf of Mexico, respond to oil. With the increasing shipping activity in the Hudson Bay due to melting ice, the risk of an oil spill is rising, especially concerning due to the potential spread of contamination along the coastline, impacting ecosystems and communities reliant on the environment.
The Churchill Marine Observatory, where the GenIce II project is conducted, allows controlled experiments in Arctic waters. Feiyue Wang, the head of the observatory, emphasizes its uniqueness in facilitating research in natural Arctic settings. The facility’s delay in becoming operational, attributed to various challenges, including ownership disputes and environmental factors, has hindered research progress.
With the observatory expected to play a crucial role in understanding the changing Arctic environment, Wang stresses the importance of addressing potential issues proactively. Incorporating traditional Indigenous knowledge and collaborating with local communities, such as in Chesterfield Inlet, Nunavut, is a key aspect of the research to monitor the environment and prepare for oil spill responses. The GenIce II team plans to continue their oil spill research in upcoming trips to the marine observatory.
