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61,005 resultsShowing papers similar to The Governance of Waste in Iqaluit, Nunavut
ClearAre northern communities an overlooked source of microplastics and tire wear particles in the Arctic?
Researchers asked whether northern remote communities (Arctic and sub-Arctic) are an overlooked source of microplastic pollution relative to their small populations, finding that waste management practices in these areas can disproportionately contribute to local contamination. The study highlights the importance of addressing plastic waste management in all community types.
End of life at the top of the world—stakeholder perspectives for plastics and circular transitions in the Arctic
Researchers examined stakeholder perspectives on plastic waste management and circular economy transitions in the Arctic, finding that remote communities face unique challenges in implementing plastic reduction strategies due to limited infrastructure and extreme conditions.
Governance of plastics in the Arctic
This paper analyzed governance frameworks for managing plastic pollution in the Arctic, examining how international agreements, national policies, and Indigenous governance systems interact to address the unique challenges of plastic in polar environments. It identified key governance gaps given the Arctic's vulnerability.
The utility of monitoring snow for microplastics in the Arctic: a pilot study from Iqaluktuuttiaq, Nunavut
Researchers collected Arctic snow samples at increasing distances from the community of Iqaluktuuttiaq, Nunavut, finding microplastics at every location using pyrolysis–GC/MS analysis. Polymer types differed between sites close to the community and more remote sites, suggesting both local human activity and long-range atmospheric transport contribute to contamination. The findings support using snow as a low-cost monitoring tool to track how microplastics reach even remote polar regions.
Estimation of plastic waste accumulation in the Arctic
Researchers analyzed sources, spatial distribution patterns, and mass transfer dynamics of plastic and microplastic pollution in the Arctic, proposing plastic waste management approaches and a community-based monitoring program to track microplastic accumulation across Arctic regions.
Waste Management in the Global South: an Inquiry on the Patterns of Plastic and Waste Material Flows in Colombo, Sri Lanka
This dissertation analyzed plastic and waste material flows in Colombo, Sri Lanka, examining the social dynamics, governance structures, and ecological impacts of waste management in a developing city context. The research highlights how plastic waste management challenges in the Global South are deeply intertwined with urbanization, inequality, and colonial legacies.
Remote, but Not Isolated—Microplastics in the Sub-surface Waters of the Canadian Arctic Archipelago
Microplastics were found in subsurface waters throughout the remote Canadian Arctic Archipelago, indicating that plastic pollution has reached even the most isolated polar regions. Increasing Arctic shipping routes may be introducing additional local sources of plastic contamination to these pristine environments.
Plastics pollution as waste colonialism in Te Moananui
Through interviews with nineteen key decision-makers, researchers examined how Pacific Island nations are affected by plastics pollution through the lens of waste colonialism. The study argues that the flow of plastic waste from wealthy nations to Pacific communities represents a form of environmental injustice, with island nations bearing disproportionate impacts from pollution they did not create.
Waste Combustion Releases Anthropogenic Nanomaterials in Indigenous Arctic Communities
Researchers investigated anthropogenic nanomaterials released from traditional waste-burning practices in Arctic Indigenous communities. The study found that combustion releases a variety of nanoscale pollutants including plastic-derived particles into the local environment, raising concerns about exposure pathways for both community members and the sensitive Arctic ecosystem.
Mining for Greenlandic self-government: Fractal islands in the Anthropocene
This anthropological study explores Greenland's emerging identity as a modern resource economy through fieldwork at a decommissioned gold mine. While focused on political and cultural themes, it touches on how industrial and extractive activities in the Anthropocene affect remote environments, including through pollution.
A first assessment of microplastics and other anthropogenic particles in Hudson Bay and the surrounding eastern Canadian Arctic waters of Nunavut
Scientists collected surface water, zooplankton, sediment, and snow samples from Hudson Bay to northern Baffin Island and found microplastics in all sample types, providing the first comprehensive assessment of microplastic contamination across this broad eastern Canadian Arctic region.
Plastics’ circular economy for the Galapagos Islands? Exploring plastics governance with implications for social and ocean equity in a UNESCO World Heritage Site
Researchers explored the feasibility of implementing a plastics circular economy in the Galapagos Islands, a UNESCO World Heritage Site facing significant marine plastic pollution. They examined the governance structures needed to address plastic waste while balancing conservation goals with the needs of local communities. The study highlights how remote island communities in the global South face unique challenges in managing plastic pollution equitably.
Microplastics Distribution within Western Arctic Seawater and Sea Ice
Researchers investigated microplastic distribution in seawater and sea ice of the western Canadian Arctic, including the previously unstudied Canadian Arctic Archipelago and Tallurutiup Imanga National Marine Conservation Area. The study found microplastic contamination throughout the region while highlighting gaps in existing Arctic microplastic data.
Managing plastic pollution in the Arctic ocean: An integrated quantitative flux estimate and policy study
Researchers quantified the amount of plastic entering and leaving the Arctic Ocean through rivers, sea ice, and ocean currents, and assessed the gap between existing pollution levels and current policy measures. The study found that Arctic plastic pollution is likely underestimated and that current regulations are insufficient to prevent further accumulation in this sensitive ecosystem.
The occurrence and sources of microplastics to Arctic and sub-Arctic beaches: human influence on local microplastic hotspots
Researchers characterized microplastic occurrence and sources at Arctic and sub-Arctic beaches, finding that proximity to human settlements creates local hotspots, while more remote beaches receive microplastics primarily through long-range oceanic transport.
Atmospheric Microplastic in the Arctic and Mainland Norway; comparing urban and remote locations
Researchers deployed passive and active air samplers at two remote stations, Ny Alesund in the High Norwegian Arctic and Birkenes on mainland Norway, to compare atmospheric microplastic concentrations, compositions, and deposition rates between urban and remote locations to evaluate the magnitude of long-range atmospheric MP transport to the Arctic.
Litter and Microplastics: Environmental monitoring in the Arctic
This study describes a monitoring program for plastic litter and microplastics in Arctic environments, combining beach surveys with water sampling across Norwegian Arctic sites. Even in remote polar regions far from major population centers, significant and increasing plastic pollution was found, highlighting the global reach of this environmental problem.
Importance of seasonal sea ice in the western Arctic ocean to the Arctic and global microplastic budgets
This study quantified the role of western Arctic sea ice as a seasonal sink and transport vector for microplastics, finding that atmospheric deposition and sea ice dynamics contribute significantly to the regional and global microplastic budget.
Tangled Waters: Equity-based Study of Plastic Pollution Impacts on Indigenous Communities in Fiji
Researchers examined the impacts of plastic pollution on Indigenous communities at three case study locations in Fiji, blending Indigenous knowledge systems with contemporary research methods and equity frameworks to assess distributional, procedural, and recognitional dimensions of plastic pollution. The year-long fieldwork-based study found that plastic pollution disproportionately burdens Indigenous communities and recommended improved waste management solutions grounded in community agency.
Occurrence and sources of microplastics on Arctic beaches: Svalbard
Researchers sampled four beach sites near Longyearbyen, Svalbard, to assess microplastic contamination in the Arctic. They found microplastics at all sites, with higher concentrations closer to human settlements and wastewater discharge points. The study suggests that even remote Arctic beaches are receiving microplastic pollution, primarily from local sources rather than long-range ocean transport.
Unveiling environmental governance and political economy dynamics in rural plastic pollution management: a case study of Ogun State, Nigeria
This study analyzed environmental governance and political economy dynamics shaping plastic pollution management in rural communities, finding that power structures and economic incentives often undermine collective action. The authors argue that local governance reforms are needed to translate global plastic reduction goals into community-level change.
The Health-trash Nexus in Challenging Environments: A Spatial Mixed Methods Analysis of Accra, Ghana
This mixed-methods study in Accra, Ghana analyzed the spatial relationship between waste disposal practices and health outcomes in a rapidly urbanizing city. Open dumping and poor waste management create conditions where microplastics and other contaminants accumulate near communities, with direct public health consequences.
Microplastics in Arctic polar waters: the first reported values of particles in surface and sub-surface samples
Researchers reported some of the first measured values for microplastic particles in Arctic polar waters, finding contamination even in these remote high-latitude waters and raising questions about long-range transport mechanisms.
Perma
This is an art and environmental studies thesis about permafrost thaw in Canada's Arctic, exploring how colonialism and climate change are transforming Indigenous territories; it is not a microplastics research paper.