The ArcSolution team has just wrapped up a successful second workshop in Longyearbyen, Svalbard, where research, local engagement, and collaboration came together in a series of important meetings and activities.
Representatives from the project—including Roland Kallenborn, Arja Rautio, Julia Olsen, Katrin Vorkamp, and Lars-Otto Reiersen—participated in both a stakeholder workshop and an open public consultation, co-organised with Professor Hanne Christiansen of UNIS and the ILLUQ project.
Water Quality a Central Concern
A key topic during the discussions was the quality of drinking water in Longyearbyen. Concerns were raised following elevated levels of manganese (Mn) and nickel (Ni) in some recent measurements. Citizens voiced frustration over a lack of clear information from public authorities regarding water safety.
The ArcSolution team noted the importance of addressing this issue from multiple angles. Future activities will include technical follow-up and public communication. Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU) will be involved in the upcoming installation of a filtration unit in collaboration with Scandinavian Water Technology AS (Scanwater).
These discussions underscored the relevance of ArcSolution’s interdisciplinary approach, which links technical, chemical, and social science perspectives to environmental and health challenges in the Arctic.
Local Health Survey: MISA 2 Participation Results
Another highlight was the presentation of the MISA 2 health survey, which was conducted in Longyearbyen from June 4 to 17, 2025. A total of 686 women aged 18–44 were invited, and 169 chose to participate. Of these, 61% identified as Norwegian, 19% as of other European descent, and 10% as of Asian background, with participants having lived in Longyearbyen for an average of five years.
All participants completed a questionnaire and provided biological samples, contributing essential data to the study of how pollution and lifestyle factors affect women’s health in the Arctic.
With strong local engagement, continued collaboration across disciplines, and meaningful data collection, the Longyearbyen workshop marked a significant step forward in ArcSolution’s mission to support healthy communities and sustainable environments in the Arctic.