ILLUQ

ILLUQ studies organic matter and contaminants released from the thawing Arctic permafrost in collaboration with local stakeholders, providing a first holistic look at permafrost thaw.

Funders

Project information

Project duration

-

Funded by

Horizon Europe

Funding amount

6 000 000 EUR

Project coordinator

Other university or unit

Contact information

Contact person

Project description

Permafrost underlies 22% of the Northern Hemisphere's exposed land surface and is thawing at an alarming rate as a direct consequence of climate change. When thawing, permafrost releases large quantities of organic matter and contaminants into the environment. In addition, permafrost thaw dramatically impacts infrastructure in local communities with wide-ranging consequences for health, economy, and society. ILLUQ studies these complex issues. By bringing together an interdisciplinary consortium committed to participatory research with local stake- and rightsholders, it will provide the first holistic look at permafrost thaw, pollution and human and environmental well-being in the Arctic and deliver information on the risks from contaminant release, infrastructure failure and ecosystem changes to stakeholders.
ILLUQ has 15 partners from 10 countries and the research sites are Mackenzie Delta region in Canada, Svalbard Longyearbyen) (and Greenland (Ilulissat and Sisimiut).

University of Oulu staff involved in the project:

Lead of WP7,
Prof. Arja Rautio, arja.rautio (at) oulu.fi

Postdoctoral researchers in WP7:
Dr. Ulla Timlin, ulla.timlin (at) oulu.fi
Dr. Anna R. Rönkä, anna.r.ronka (at) oulu.fi
Dr. Riitta-Marja Leinonen riitta-marja.leinonen (at) oulu.fi

Research groups