The fourth project meeting was convened at Sandbjerg, Denmark in days from 26 to 27 October 2014.

The project was organized by the Danish project Co-director Prof. Hans Sanderson. Following Agenda was adopted:

The meeting was attended by project partners from AU, IOPAS, VERIFIN, FOI and IORAS.

Project progress was presented, and preparation of 4th interim report was discussed with co directors.

Project progress

AU has presented toxicity results. Several important data  is generally missing in the literature – mainly on the chronic toxicity , and both acute and chronic toxicity of cyclic degradation products of mustard gas. Hence, AU is continuing to fill this gap. Discussion regarding which specific compounds to be  tested took place.

There is a need to review  the usefulness of biomarkers specific for degradation products of CWA – and existing biomarkers have to be evaluated. EROD is showing some theoretical potential, while AChEsuitability has been questioned as this is specific for e.g. organophosphate compounds (e.g. Sarin or VX), which are rarely found due to rapid hydrolysis of these.

Very beneficial for the project would be the analysis of actual lump of mustard gas from the dumpsite. AU promised to investigate the possibility in DK , while VERIFIN and FOI expressed analytical interest, from their own funds if necessary.

Hydrographical measurements

A number of measurements was done, but mostly from shipboard. For the full suitability of mooring study there is a need for extra measurements in Słupsk Furrow. IORAS will contact FI regarding possibilities of participation in Walther Herwig III cruise, while IOPAS will investigate possibilities of IORAS participation in Winter “Oceania” cruise. At the same time IOPAS will investigate charter price of m/s “Doktor Lubecki” for IORAS, which will use the money from Cruises budget line for this vessel’s charter instead of using their own ship Nord II, which is currently under repairs.

AUV/ROV Suitability study

Oncoming deliverable, AUV/ROV suitability study was discussed.

Suitability study will be based on several parameters:

1. Sonar – performance of sonar for detection of underwater objects will be compared. Comparison between towed array and AUV based sonar will be based on data from IOPAS towed sonar, LEPA towed Sonar and IVER. LEPA and IOPAS will have to compile precision of navigation and resolution of their instruments, based on data from MODUM and any other projects – i.e CHEMSEA. The performance of each sonar should be max 4 pages long, including pictures. Comparison between AUVs will be done between REMUS and IVER, if possible also including CMRE data.
   This will be done in IOPAS. Data from CMRE will be obtained when portable 2TB hard drive will be completed, in mid November. By this time, agreement for data usage should be signed between CMRE and MODUM. IOPAS will ask for the draft of such agreement next week.
2. Magnetometer suitability. Performance of AUV based mag and towed instruments will be based on IVER data and towed magnetometer used in previous projects by IORAS. It will be supplemented by data from CMRE cruise obtained by IVER. IOPAS will do that. Additionally, magnetometer calibration will be performed this year next to Sopot jetty. IOPAS and IORAS will produce 4 pages each on magnetometer navigation precision of navigation and resolution. IOPAS will produce additional 3 pages on data post-processing
3. Environmental parameters collection – comparison between AUV and shipboard sensors. CTD, ADCP mostly, but also O₂, pH and redox and turbidity if available. Data from shipboard devices deployed during the MODUM cruises should be analysed by each team that performed cruises, in regard to: precision, vertical resolution, type of collected data, ease of operation. Data from cruises where IVER measured at the same time as shipboard devices should be discussed. In order to do that all such data should be submitted to the Data Center, if not already available there. Discussion should be performed by IOPAS and IORAS teams.

Habitat Paper

The research paper, describing habitats in dumpsites areas was discussed between project partners. Following approach was adopted:

The idea of research paper, describing habitats in dumpsites areas was discussed between project partners. It was decided that the person responsible for data mining and first authorship will be Michal Czub, PhD student from IO PAS. The work includes creating a database of available environmental data at the ofiicial and unofficial dumpsites. This includes also data from other projects, such as MERCW or NordStream. The paper will  provide solid description of the investigated basins and risks.

Weight of evidence

Emission of contaminants is only crudely provided in WoE. This is something, which needs to be solved. Possible approaches are:

Scenarios – pinhole and total loss of containment scenarios could be used. If possible, weights/volume of mustard gas in shells, or as lumps could be used to approximate loss of mass vs. time. AU will investigate if there is any information in the Danish archives regarding such data. Also obtaining Mustard gas lump and performing aquarium experiment would be useful.

Another possibility is back calculations with the model – estimate emission strength based on observed concentration pattern in sediments.

Yet another possibility to evaluate emission is the time series of the same object, or same area concentration – if concentrations are dropping this will be the prove that sources are no longer active.

Exposure status of the Dumpsites

Discussion regarding publication of exposure status of dumpsites was commenced. It was decidsed to work on it Jointly, leader being VARIFIN with IOPAS Support. Draft Structure is attached.

Samples

Sample selection for analysis was postponed, since locations and data need to be reviewed by VERIFIN / FOI prior to decision