The Arctic Ocean: The Hydrographic Environment and the Fate of Pollutants

430 Pages·1982·46.274 MB·English

by  Louis Rey (eds.)

THE ARCTIC OCEAN
THE HYDROGRAPHIe ENVIRONMENT AND THE
FATE OF POLLUTANTS
This conference was the second of aseries of meetings organised by the new
Comite Arctique International created in Monaco in 1979 with the active
support of H.S.H. Prince Rainier IB. The objectives of the Committee are to
improve knowledge and understanding of Arctic areas and to that end to
promote research in different fields on an international and multi-disciplinary
basis. Composed of experts from many countries concerned with polar
activities and acting in a private capacity , Comite Arctique International
works as a non-political group with a view to enhancing and sustaining a
harmonious, well-balanced development of Arctic regions in dose co
operation with existing relevant national and international authorities and
organisations.
It is formally established in the Principality of Monaco.
THE ARCTIC OCEAN
THE HYDROGRAPHIe ENVIRONMENT AND
THE FATE OF POLLUTANTS
Edited by
LOUIS REY
Comite Arctique International, Monaco
with the assistance of
BERNARD STONEHOUSE
University of Bradford
INTERNATIONAL
M
© The contributors 1982
Softcover reprint of the hardcover 1s t edition 1982 978-0-333-31017-5
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or
transmitted, in any form or by any means, without permission.
First published 1982 by
Scientific and Medical Division
MACMILLAN PRESS LTD
London and Basingstoke
Companies and representatives throughout the world
Typeset in 10/11 pt Compugraphic English Times by
RDL., 26 Mulgrave Road, Sutton, Surrey
ISBN 978-1-349-05921-8 ISBN 978-1-349-05919-5 (eBook)
DOI 10.1007/978-1-349-05919-5
Contents
The Contributors vii
Foreword HRH The Prince Philip Duke of Edinburgh ix
Introduction The Lord Hunt of Llanfair Waterdine xi
SECTION I
Discovery, Genesis and Evolution of the Aretie Basin
1 The Arctic Ocean: A 'Polar Mediterranean' 3
Professor Louis Rey
SECTION 11
Hydrography, Water, lee and Atmospherie Interaetions 39
2 The Arctic Ocean: Water Masses and Energy Exchanges 43
Dr E. L. Lewis
3 Inflow from the Atlantic Ocean to the Polar Basin 69
Professor Knut Aagaard
4 The Drift Pattern of Sea lee in the Arctic with Particular Reference
to the Atlantic Approach 83
Dr Torgny E. Vinje
5 The Atmosphere -lee - Water Interface: On the Necessity of
Boundary Layer Modelling 97
Dr Sylvain M. Jofjre
6 The Sea - Air Interface 113
Professor Norbert Untersteiner
SECTION 111
Climatie and Atmospherie Transport 131
7 The Climatic Environment of the Arctic Ocean 135
Professor H. H. Lamb
vi Contents
8 On the Causes, Characteristics and Potential Environmental
Effects of Aerosol in the Arctic Atmosphere 163
Professor Kenneth A. Rahn
9 Long-range Transport of Airborne Pollutants with Accumulation
and Re-emission Problems of Mercury and Chlorinated
Hydrocarbons 197
Dr Brynju/j Oltar
SECTION IV
Arctic Biology and Pollution 213
10 The Changing Arctic Marine Environment:
Some Basic Considerations 215
Dr E. F. Roots
11 Arctic Marine Ecosystems 233
Professor M. J. Dunbar
12 Glimpses into Deep-sea Biology 263
Professor N. B. Marshall
SECTION V
Oils and Chemieals in the Arctic Environment 273
13 Biological Consequences of Oil-spills in Arctic Waters 275
Dr A. Nelson-Smith
14 Occurrence and Impact of Petroleum on Arctic Environment 295
Dr Robert C. Clark, Jr and Dr John S. Finlay
15 Oil Pollution in the Baltic 343
Dr E. Palosuo, Dr V. Tervo and Dr P. Tulkki
16 Biological Implications of the Introduction of Chemical Wastes
into Arctic Waters 353
Dr E. J. Perkins
17 Impact of Mineral Resource Development on the
Greenland Environment 387
Dr Poul Johansen
18 Arctic Sea Inspection Technology 393
Dr Jf)rgen Taagholt
Name Index 401
Subject Index 411
The Contributors
Knut Aagaard E. L. Lewis
University of Washington Institute of Ocean Sciences
Seattle P. O. Box 6000
Washington 98195 9860 West Saanich Road
USA Sidney
British Columbia V8L 4B2
Canada
Robert C. Clark, Jr
National Marine Fisheries Service
2725 Montlake Boulevard East N. B. Marshall
Seattle 6 Park Lane
Washington 98112 Saffron Waiden
USA Essex
UK
M. J. Dunbar
Eaton Building A. Nelson-Smith
Marine Sciences Centre Department of Zoology
McGill University University College of Swansea
3620 University Street Swansea SA2 8PP
Montreal UK
Quebec H3A 2B2
Canada
Brynjulf-Ottar
Norwegian Institute for Air Research
John S. Finley P. O. Box 130
National Marine Fisheries Service N-2001 Lillestr\1m
2725 Montlake Boulevard East Norway
Seattle
Washington 98112
USA E. Palosuo
Institute of Marine Research
P. o. Box 166
Sylvain M. Joffre SF - 00141 Helsinki 14
Institute of Marine Research Finland
P.O. Box 166
SF - 00141 Helsinki 14
Finland E. J. Perkins
Department of Biology
University of Strathclyde
Poul J ohansen Royal College
Grjilnlands FiskeriunderSjilgelser 204 George Street
Joegersborg Alle 1B Glasgow GI IXW
DK-2920 Charlottenlund UK
Denmark
Kenneth A. Rahn
H. H. Lamb Graduate School of Oceanography
Climatic Research U nit University of Rhode Island
University of East Anglia Kingston
Norwich NR4 7T J Rhode Island 02881
UK USA
viii The Contributors
Louis Rey P. Tulkki
President Institute of Marine Research
Comite Arctique International P. O. Box 166
16, Boulevard de Suisse SF - 00141 Helsinki 14
MC - 98 ()()() Monte Carlo Finland
Principaute de Monaco
E. F. Roots
Department of the Environment
Fontaine Building
Norbert Untersteiner
Ottawa
Director, Polar Science Center
Ontario KIA OH3
Applied Physics Laboratory
Canada
University of Washington
Seattle
Washington 98105
Jj1Irgen Taagholt
USA
Scientific Liaison Officer for Greenland
Technical University B349
DK-2800
Denmark
V. Tervo Torgny E. Vinje
Institute of Marine Research Norwegian Polar Research Institute
P. O. Box 166 P. O. Box 158
SF-OOI41 Helsinki 14 1330 Oslo Lufthavn
Finland Norway
Foreword
by
HRH The Prince Philip Duke of Edinburgh
I cannot match the personal experience of the Arctic and Antarctic acquired by
Lord Hunt and many of the people here today, but at least I have certificates
acquired for sailing in both Arctic and Antarctic waters in Her Majesty's
ships, and I have occasionally flown across the Atlantic in small aeroplanes via
Iceland and over the Greenland icecap to Sondrestrom, all of which has given
me the greatest respect for those who travel in those areas on the ground.
It is obvious that conferences do not just happen of their own accord, and
the idea for this present meeting came from a Committee appointed by the
International Symposium on the Polar Seas held in Monte Carlo in February
1979. The originator of this symposium was the President, Professor Louis
Rey, and the host for the meeting was Prince Rainier of Monaco. I am sure
that those attending this conference would like to join me in paying tribute to
Prince Rainier and to Professor Rey for having taken the initiative in this very
important subject.
The Arctic is weIl beyond the experience of most people. While they may
have heard romantic stories and are aware of the remarkable life-style of social
organisation of the indigenous peoples of the Arctic, it is alm ost impossible for
most people to envisage what the present wave of exploration and exploitation
of the natural resources of the area means in terms of their effect on the parti
cularly vulnerable ecology and environment of the Arctic.
I have seen some of the developments in the Canadian Arctic and this
vulnerability is only too obvious. However the consequences of exploration,
exploitation and general development cannot be properly estimated until the
relative importance of a great number of factors has been properly established.
This conference comes at a very appropriate time. Up until now, exploration
for resources has only taken place on a relatively minor scale, but we are now
about to witness a big increase in activity, both in terms of exploration and
exploitation. At the same time, this meeting coincides with the launching of
the World Conservation Strategy, sponsored by the International Union for
the Conservation of Nature, the United Nations Environment Program and
the World Wildlife Fund. This is intended to bring to the notice of
administrators, developers and the public at large the vulnerability of the
natural environment and to draw attention to the damaging consequences of
inconsiderate development already undertaken. The Strategy makes it dear