Research Areas
Activity 1 - Led by Dr. Dustin Isleifson and Dr. Nagissa Mahmoudi
The objective of Activity 1 is to conduct focused incubations at the Ocean and Sea Ice Mesocosm (OSIM) facility of the Churchill Marine Observatory to observe geophysical, petrochemical, and microbial genomic responses to oil spills, informing Activity 2 on appropriate genomic biomarkers for monitoring work. Sub-activities include:
Evaluating the efficacy of natural attenuation
Identifying genetic biomarkers
Tracking physical conditions
Activity 2 - Led by Dr. Eric Collins and Dr. Nicole Wilson
The objective of Activity 2 is to co-develop a sustainable genomics-informed community-based monitoring program that combines social and natural sciences with Inuit Quajimajatuqangit (IQ), while building a baseline understanding of seasonal cycling in Arctic microbial communities and serving as a sentinel in the case of an actual spill. Sub-activities include:
Co-development of a community based monitoring program (CBM)
On-site knowledge co-creation using portable DNA sequencing devices
Mobilizing spatial and temporal predictions of oil biodegradation potential in SIKU
Activity 3 - Led by Dr. John Sinclair and Dr. Paul Larson
The objective of activity 3 is to promote policy uptake of research findings by translating the results of activities 1 and 2 using a regionally specific model (the Oil Spill Decision Support System; OSDSS), analysis of the policy and governance dimensions of oil spills in the Arctic, and to provide implementable policy recommendations based on genomics-informed monitored natural attenuation. Activities 2 and 3 are working to coordinate data collection in northern communities to synthesize results and avoid the “research fatigue” that can plague small communities. Sub-activities include:
Oil Spill Decision Support System (OSDSS)
Policy and governance implications, from local through international levels
The objective of activity 4 is project management. The project’s co-development approach involves the coordinated efforts of many researchers from multiple institutions, Inuit rights holder organizations, all levels of government, and NGOs at all phases and across all activities to achieve knowledge co-production and mobilization with an aim to evaluate the viability of monitored natural attenuation as an oil spill response. To achieve this, the project relies on the collaboration of various groups such as the Research Oversight Committee, Project Management and Executive Committee, Knowledge Co-Development Committee, project and budget managers, and communications and outreach.