Research
METALLICA aims to deliver ground breaking process understanding of the cycling, export and ecosystem impacts of heavy metals released from Arctic glaciers to fjords, developing a novel conceptual framework to support the future prediction and management of toxicity impacts on critical ecosystem services.
Through five interconnected Work Packages (WP), METALLICA will address key knowledge gaps using a risk-based approach to define our target heavy metal/metalloid species, accounting for: toxicity for human health; presence in terrestrial runoff; and regulatory frameworks, which influence availability of toxic species.
WP1: Glacial DriversLead: Professor Jemma Wadham | Assistant Lead: Sabina Strmic Palinkas Objective: To conclusively determine the glacial controls on heavy metal release from lithologically diverse glaciers to fjords across a trans-Arctic latitudinal domain |
WP2: Expanding Glacier ForefieldsLead: Professor Andrew Hodson | Assistant Lead: Professor Jacob Clement Yde Objective: To establish how riverine heavy metal export from ice to ocean is modulated by biogeochemical processes in changing glacier forefields |
WP3: Fate in the FjordsLead: Professor Murat Ardelan | Assistant Lead: Professor Matthias Forwick Objective: To critically evaluate the fate, bioavailability and toxicity of glacier-exported heavy metals in fjords aligned to lithologically-contrasting glaciers in the Kongsfjorden Natural Laboratory |
WP4: Ecosystem ImpactsLead: Professor Geir Wing Gabrielsen | Assistant Lead: Senior Researcher Philipp Assmy Objective: To trace the incorporation of potentially toxic heavy metals into fjord ecosystems via an end-to-end trophic level approach in the Kongsfjorden Natural Laboratory |
WP5: Arctic FrameworkLead: Professor Sabina Strmic Palinkas | Assistant Lead: Professor Jemma Wadham Objective: To develop a globally relevant conceptual model and geo-based framework of glacier-driven metal toxicity to support policy making and management of Arctic fjords |
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