Interview: "A plethora of heavy metals including arsenic, cadmium, copper, lead, mercury and nickel are released from glacial environments into Arctic fjords"

In this interview, postdoctoral researcher Fanny Cusset shares insights into her work on metal contamination in Arctic ecosystems, the research cruises she has participated in, the Roland Schlich Prize she won, and her interests outside of science.

Can you describe your work at NPI and its importance?

I started a postdoc at the Norwegian Polar Institute (NPI) in September 2024, working on the METALLICA project. This interdisciplinary project investigates the release of heavy metals from glaciers to ocean in a changing Arctic and aims to better understand their glacial drivers, their transport routes and their impacts on fjord ecosystems.

Arctic glaciers have been particularly impacted by climate change, with increasing melt and retreat, shifts in riverine freshwater and sediment discharge. Arctic fjords are the ultimate recipients of global discharge and a plethora of heavy metals are released from glacial environments. Some of these metals are toxic for both wildlife and humans. This is the case for arsenic, cadmium, copper, lead, mercury and nickel for example. In the context of climate change, it is thus crucial to assess the impacts of metal releases on marine biota, which can ultimately represent a considerable food resource for human populations in the Arctic.

My postdoc focuses specifically on the ecosystem impacts with a focus on Kongsfjorden in Svalbard, by using an end-to-end approach. Thanks to a unique ecosystem sampling, my aim is to determine: (i) how much these metals accumulate in marine biota depending on their proximity to glaciers and the season; (ii) how they transfer from primary producers (phytoplankton, ice algae) along the food web, through zooplankton, fish, benthos to top predators, such as seabirds; and (iii) how their contamination is driven by their trophic ecology, the geology of the fjord system, the different glacier types and/or other oceanographic drivers. Overall, this work is key for understanding the broader ecological impacts of glacial melt and metal release, which will of course inform conservation and management strategies in a changing Arctic.

Photo credit: Allison Bailey

Can you share your educational background and experience?

I completed my Bachelor’s degree in Marseille (France), with a focus on biological oceanography. During my final year, I participated in an exchange program with Laval University, in Quebec City. There, I discovered Arctic research, and I started working on climate change and its impact on Arctic fish. I used chemical tools, such as stable isotopes and fatty acids, as ecological tracers to study the relationships between sea ice and marine biota. I was then lucky to join an oceanographic campaign aboard the Canadian icebreaker and this was a life-changing experience. After a year-round internship, I started a Master’s degree at Takuvik, an international research laboratory (Laval University). Through a multi-tracer approach, I was further using these ecological tools to explore the connection between seabirds and sea ice algae in the Canadian Arctic. These 5 years in Canada then led me back to France, to La Rochelle for my PhD, which opened a new scientific door for me, the door of ecotoxicology. Combining marine ecology and ecotoxicology, I was studying mercury contamination in remote oceans by using seabirds as bioindicators, across space and time.

Photo credit: Fanny Cusset

Have you participated in Arctic Ocean cruises?

Yes, my first cruise was on the Canadian icebreaker Amundsen in 2016, where I worked with the fish and zooplankton team. This six-week expedition was a life-changing experience, providing hands-on research opportunities in the Arctic. In 2022, I joined another cruise with the Arctic University of Norway (UiT) on the Kronprins Haakon, led by Giuliana Panieri. This cruise was part of the AKMA 2-Ocean Senses project, where I was involved as a PhD student to learn and gain diverse scientific experiences. These cruises have been invaluable in understanding the complexities of Arctic marine ecosystems.

Can you tell us about the Roland Schlich Prize you won?

The Roland Schlich Prize is awarded by the French Committee for Polar Research for the best student presentation at their annual meeting. I won it in 2021, which was a great honor. The prize included €1000 to attend an international conference on polar regions, which I used to participate to the Penguin Conference in Chile. This opportunity allowed me to engage with international researchers and share my work on polar science, both being very important for early career researchers.

Photo credit: Fanny Cusset

What are your future career plans?

I want to continue in research, possibly in academia, but I’m open to opportunities. Balancing career and family is more and more important to me, so I’m taking things as they come.

How are you adapting to cultural and linguistic differences in Norway?

The transition was challenging due to administrative hurdles and personal adjustments. However, the support from the international community here has been helpful, and I am more and more curious to discover the Norwegian way of life.

What activities do you enjoy outside of work?

I used to be active in swimming, badminton, and a lot of different sports, but currently, family responsibilities take most of my time. I hope to return to swimming soon though.

If you could travel anywhere, where would it be?

I’d love to visit New Zealand for its wildlife, landscapes, and indigenous culture. It’s always been a dream destination for me.

Can you share a book or movie that influenced you?

The movie "Free Willy" had a significant impact on me as a child, sparking my interest in marine life and oceanography.

What are you looking forward to in the next year?

I hope to achieve successful research outcomes and maintain a good balance between my professional and personal life.

Do you have a motto or a final thought to share?

A quote I really like is from Antoine de Saint-Exupéry: "Fais de ta vie un rêve, et d’un rêve une réalité. " Literally, this means: "Make your life a dream, and your dream a reality."

Fanny Cusset works with the iC3-affiliated METALLICA project at the Norwegian Polar Institute (NPI) in Tromsø, the capital of Arctic Norway. To find out more about her work, please check out her list of publications, or contact her by email or on LinkedIn.