New Arctic Realities, Arctic Fires, Gold and Hydrogen in the Arctic.

The report "New Arctic Realities - Between Conflicting Interests and Avenues for Cooperation " is authored by Serafima Andreeva , Klaus Dodds , Nadja Douglas, Christoph Humrich, and Thomas Nawrath. It covers key topics such as Arctic Security, 'swing geopolitics', climate change and science cooperation, emerging insecurities of Arctic societies and peoples, and the future of Arctic cooperation.

The report explains the concept of swing geopolitics:

What we are witnessing could be described as a form of ‘swing geopolitics’ — a short-hand term for explaining how the short- and longer-term strategic decisions of non-Arctic third parties reveal this region to be in the crosshairs of national, circumpolar, and global interests

The report emphasizes the importance of advocating for Indigenous rights and inclusion in the Arctic region. It suggests that the Arctic Council, as a key platform for multilateral cooperation, has the potential to advocate for the rights of Indigenous Peoples and promote their inclusion at the national level, particularly in the context of energy development projects.

The report highlights several avenues for cooperation in the Arctic region. These include:

• Resumption and maintenance of technical and scientific cooperation at the working-group level, despite the Arctic Council's challenges as an interface between science and politics, as an ethical imperative.
• Utilization of the Arctic Council's working groups to define priorities and baselines for Arctic climate and environmental research, facilitating low-threshold exchanges of data and research findings. Such exchanges could be facilitated by third-party entities like the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) or the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES).
• Advocacy for indigenous rights and increased inclusion at the national level, particularly concerning energy development projects.

The report emphasizes the need for a comprehensive approach to security and governance in the Arctic. Overall, the report calls for continued efforts to navigate conflicting interests and explore avenues for cooperation to address the evolving challenges in the Arctic region.

A Journey to the Arctic: Life with Nomads

In this episode of the "Let's Go!" project, host Artem Ryndevich embarks on an Arctic expedition to immerse himself in the lives of the nomadic people of Yamal. The film promises to be one of Ryndevich's most challenging adventures yet.

Highlights:

? Life in the Camp: Ryndevich will spend several days in a camp on the Polar Urals, learning about the daily life and traditions of the nomads.

? Harsh Conditions: The film showcases how people survive in the extreme environment of the Far North.

? The Beauty of the Arctic: Viewers will experience the beauty of the Arctic landscape, including glacial waterfalls and the aurora borealis.

? Indigenous Culture: Ryndevich explores the traditions of the Nenets people, including their clothing, reindeer herding, and other aspects of their lives.

This film would be interesting for anyone interested in learning more about the lives of the Arctic's Indigenous Peoples, as well as for fans of extreme travel and nature documentaries.

Link to Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qQJ-OGLvOis&si=HAGRvAraqajElXIT

Arctic Wildfires and Lead-210 Accumulation

Recent research has established a connection between intensified lead-210 accumulation in Laptev Sea sediments and wildfires occurring in Siberia, Yakutia, and the Far East. Forest fires in these regions release significant quantities of lead-210 stored in peat, mosses, and lichens, consequently elevating its concentration in seawater. The lead-210 activity observed in marine sediments exhibits a discernible decrease with depth, following a wave-like pattern that corresponds to periodic surges in lead input. These spikes in lead-210 levels align temporally with major wildfire events across Siberia, Yakutia, and the Far East, indicating a direct linkage between wildfire activity and lead-210 accumulation in marine environments.

Key data and statistics derived from the study conducted during the period 2018-2020 include the execution of three expeditions utilizing the research vessel Akademik Mstislav Keldysh. A large number of sediment samples were collected and analyzed, with a focus on lead-210 analysis spanning the last 100 years. Sediment cores extracted from the Laptev Sea reached depths of up to 50 cm, allowing for a comprehensive examination of lead-210 distribution over time. Notable peaks in lead-210 concentration were identified during the years 1970-1975, 1993-1997, 2006-2007, and 2015-2016, coinciding with periods of heightened wildfire activity in the aforementioned regions.

The study underscores the significant impact of wildfires in Siberia, Yakutia, and the Far East on lead-210 accumulation in Laptev Sea sediments. This revelation carries implications for the utilization of lead-210 as a geochronological tool and sheds light on the environmental repercussions of wildfire activity in Arctic regions. The study contributes to a deeper understanding of the complex interactions between natural phenomena and environmental processes in the Arctic ecosystem. (Source: here )

Arctic Gold Exploration

The quest for precious metals in the Arctic is expanding, as evidenced by the recent developments of OOO "Yanzoloto". On March 13, 2024, the company initiated preparatory activities for the upcoming mining season in the Arctic zone. This included the procurement of essential equipment such as loaders, dump trucks, bulldozers, and others, which will be deployed to the designated work sites.

Key Details

OOO "Yanzoloto" will conduct mining operations in two specific areas: Taryn-Yuryakh and Nyamnyagindzhu. At the former site, the projected volume of gold extraction is anticipated to exceed 111 kilograms, while at the latter, it is expected to surpass 94 kilograms. Activities related to excavation and preparatory work have already commenced at Nyamnyagindzhu in readiness for development. Meanwhile, preparations at Taryn-Yuryakh are scheduled to commence from the second quarter of 2024 onwards.

Implications

The decision by OOO "Yanzoloto" to expand its operations into the Arctic underscores the increasing interest and investment in mining activities within this region. As the demand for precious metals continues to rise globally, particularly in industries such as electronics, jewelry, and manufacturing, companies are seeking new frontiers for exploration and extraction. However, the expansion of mining operations in the Arctic also raises concerns about its environmental impact and sustainability. Measures to mitigate potential ecological consequences and ensure responsible mining practices will be essential in addressing these concerns.

The decision to commence mining operations in the Arctic reflects a broader trend of exploration and exploitation of natural resources in remote and challenging environments. While promising economic opportunities exist, the pursuit of precious metals in the Arctic necessitates careful consideration of environmental, social, and regulatory factors to ensure sustainable development and minimize adverse impacts on the delicate Arctic ecosystem. (Source: here )

Expanding Hydrogen Production to the Russian Arctic: Polyarnye Zori Test Complex

The venture to expand hydrogen production to the Russian Arctic marks a significant development, with the Polyarnye Zori Test Complex at its forefront. Situated in Murmansk Oblast, Russia, this complex is designed to facilitate the production, compression, storage, and shipment of hydrogen with an exceptional purity level of 99.999%.

Construction of the complex is scheduled to span from 2025 to 2028, with key milestones including the installation of one electrolyzer unit by November 30, 2025, boasting a capacity of 50 Nm3/hour. Subsequent phases will see the incorporation of three additional electrolyzer units, ultimately reaching a total capacity of 200 Nm3/hour by 2028. Financially, the project entails a total cost of 2.03 billion rubles, with breakdowns indicating 1.62 billion rubles allocated for equipment and 274.9 million rubles for construction purposes.

Assessments of the environmental impact have been conducted, with the consensus suggesting a low level of concern. Measures such as wastewater treatment and waste disposal systems have been integrated into the project design to mitigate potential ecological repercussions.

The selection of the Kola Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) as the pilot site for the Polyarnye Zori Test Complex holds strategic significance. Factors influencing this decision include the NPP's surplus energy production, cost-effectiveness in energy provision, and existing infrastructure conducive to hydrogen production. Electrolysis serves as the primary method for hydrogen production. Further considerations encompass the physical dimensions of the complex, with land, building, hard surface, and greening areas planned to optimize operational efficiency while minimizing environmental footprint.

Anticipated benefits of this venture extend beyond mere technological advancements, with potential implications for clean and sustainable energy provision and the stimulation of local economies through job creation. Public consultations, held on March 13, 2023, sought to address concerns and provide assurances regarding the project's minimal negative impact on the environment.

Nevertheless, despite these assurances, a notable aspect that warrants further examination and transparency is the limited discussion surrounding potential drawbacks and impacts on both the environment and the local population. Continued scrutiny and engagement are essential to ensure the project's alignment with sustainable development goals and the preservation of environmental integrity. (Source: here )

Dear readers,

I am happy to share with you that next week, I will be at Arctic Science Summit Week (ASSW) . I will be there from 23-24, March 2024 taking part in the ICARP meeting. I am happy to announce that I was selected as a member of Research Priority Team 3: Understanding the Vulnerability and Resilience of Arctic Environments and Societies and Supporting Sustainable Development . This team is tasked with addressing research priorities and implementing strategies related to various topics including sustainable and equitable Arctic economy, adaptive management and nature-based solutions, healthy Arctic and healthy peoples, energy systems, sustainable energy production, green transition, reliability, resilience, food systems, water systems and drinking water, sanitary health, infrastructure, and migration. The Chairs of this team are Jackie Dawson from ArcticNet and the University of Ottawa, Canada, and Heather Sauyaq Jean Gordon from Sauyaq Solutions, LLC, USA.

If you are also there and want to meet, please, send me a message!

Announcement: Starting from now, the release frequency of Arctic highlights will be adjusted to a less frequent basis. Instead of the current weekly releases, these highlights will be available either twice monthly or once per month. This change is due to the allocation of my free time to this endeavor. Thank you for your continued interest and support in exploring the Arctic's diverse and dynamic landscape!

Yours,

Alexandra Middleton