Second Baseline Study in the Citronen Fjord Area North Greenland 1997:Arktisk Miljø - Arctic Environment

• Main Author: Glahder, C.
• Format: Book
• Language: English
• Published: National Environmental Research Institute 1998
• Subjects: North Greenland; environment; baseline study; zinc; mineral exploration; Arctic; Greenland; Arktis*; Mountain avens; muskox; National Environmental Research Institute
• Online Access: https://pure.au.dk/portal/da/publications/second-baseline-study-in-the-citronen-fjord-area-north-greenland-1997(8dc7c360-7e9c-11dd-a5a8-000ea68e967b).html

The report describes the second year of baseline studies conducted in the Citronen Fjord area from 31 July to 13 August 1997. In this area Platinova A/S is prospecting intensively for zinc and lead, and mineral exploration has been carried out each year since the discovery in 1993. During the study period samples were collected of seaweed (Laminaria sp), fish (Fourhorned sculpin), river sediments, Arctic willow, Entired-leafed mountain avens, grasses and faeces from Muskox, Alpine hare and Collared lemming. These samples have been prepared for storage, and are now stored at the National Environmental Research Institute, Department of Arctic Environment together with the samples from the first baseline study in 1994. Sea water and fresh water were sampled and analysed for dissolved zinc. The total amount of zinc discharged from the Eastern River during the period from 22 June to 13 August was about 2000 kgs. This is in the same order of magnitude as found in 1994 and 1995, despite a shorter sampling period and lack of peak zinc concentrations in 1997. Zinc concentrations in sea water below 2 meters in the Citronen Fjord were comparable to concentrations in 1994, and this level is not significantly different from that of uncontaminated fjords in West Greenland. This year relatively many Collared lemmings were seen which was probably the reason why one pair of Arctic foxes raised six cubs, why two pairs of Long-tailed skuas fled youngs (1 and 2), and why a Gyr falcon, female, was seen (a new species during the five years of mineral exploration). A third year of baseline study is recommended prior to a possible mineral exploitation, and this should include reference stations.