Wastewater as a Point-Source of Priority Contaminants in the Arctic: A Case Study in Cambridge Bay, Nunavut

There are a lack of data regarding point-source wastewater contamination in Arctic ecosystems. The harsh Arctic climate poses significant challenges for wastewater treatment and thus warrants specific study. This work will investigate wastewaters in Cambridge Bay, Nunavut by addressing three primary questions:1. Do increased nutrients along and downstream of the community wastewater path contribute to increased levels of methylmercury in the local marine environment?2. What is the extent of microplastic contamination in Cambridge Bay from wastewater inputs? Wastewater is known to be a primary point-source of plastic pollution; therefore do the levels and distributions of plastics correlate with wastewater inputs, or are there other potential sources (e.g., long-range transport)?3. Do wastewaters from the community contribute poly-fluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS) to the local marine environment and how do these inputs compare to known atmospheric and oceanic sources? Are detected levels of PFAS a concern to aquatic organisms?This research will fill a significant data gap around wastewater contaminants in Arctic systems, especially around the sources, occurrence and distribution of microplastics. These data will be shared openly with the Hamlet of Cambridge Bay to help understand their wastewater treatment and possible management options.