For more information on contributing to the AMAP Phase II report on
heavy metals in the Arctic, please contact:
Victoria Woshner, DVM, PhD
Research Assistant
Department of Wildlife Management
North Slope Borough
Barrow, AK 99723
Ph: 907/852-0350
email: vwoshner [at] co.north-slope.ak.us
Submissions are requested by: 10 March 2001
Dear Arctic Heavy Metal Researcher:
This posting is written for the purpose of identifying potential United
States-based contributors to the Heavy Metals (HM) chapter of the Arctic
Monitoring Assessment Program (AMAP) Phase II report, and to solicit
written contributions. The Arctic Council, a consortium of eight arctic
nations (Canada, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Russia, Sweden, and
the U.S.A.), has established working groups to address issues of concern
to arctic nations. The AMAP working group has been charged with
monitoring and assessment of contaminants in the arctic environment. A
report of the first phase of the AMAP programme (published in 1998),
summarized arctic contaminants research through 1996. This outstanding
compilation of research, entitled "AMAP Assessment Report: Arctic
Pollution Issues" may be accessed through the AMAP web site at:
http://www.amap.no/. I am assisting Dr. Suzanne Marcy (U.S. EPA), lead
author on the Heavy Metals Chapter of the report, to compile summaries
of U.S. research on heavy metals in the Arctic.
The AMAP Phase II report will focus on research accomplished since the
last assessment, and thus should include data collected since 1996
However, earlier data that was not included in the first report is
welcome as well. Also, while the AMAP Phase II report will include
monitoring data collected since generation of the first report (i.e.,
since 1996), this second phase reporting will focus on trends (both
spatial and temporal) and effects of heavy metals in the arctic
environment. More specifically, the phase II report will address: 1)
transport of heavy metals to and within the arctic environment; 2)
transformation (both biotic and abiotic) of heavy metals in the arctic
environment; and 3) biological effects of heavy metals in the Arctic. I
am inviting your written contribution summarizing your research.
Specifically, I am asking that you provide me a summary of your research
(by email or U.S. mail), with a text equivalent of no more than 4-5
double-spaced typewritten pages, including graphics and tables. Due to
the focus of the Phase II report, researcher interpretation of results
is especially important.
If at all possible, please submit research summaries to me by 10 March
2001.
Some of you are involved in ongoing projects, which have not yet
resulted in publications. If this is the case, I ask that you summarize
the state of your research to date. All information is welcome,
including a description of planned research or metadata. Please note
that all contributors will be designated as contributors to the final HM
chapter, and that a confidentiality agreement has been signed by all
lead authors (as for the first AMAP report) to insure that researchers
retain rights to first publication of any unpublished data that might be
included in the assessment.
PLEASE do not hesitate to contact me via email, or at the phone number
below, if you have questions or concerns about project research
summaries. I look forward to your participation in the AMAP phase II
report and thank you for your contributions!
Sincerely,
Victoria Woshner, DVM, PhD
Research Assistant
Department of Wildlife Management
North Slope Borough
Barrow, AK 99723
Ph: 907/852-0350
email: vwoshner [at] co.north-slope.ak.us