Characterization of the chemical, biological and radiological environment in the Arctic World Archive

This report describes the characterization of the chemical, biological and radiological environment in a decommissioned coal mine (Mine 3) on Svalbard, where the Artic World Archive (AWA), established by Piql and Store Norske Spitsbergen Kullkompani (SNSK) is located. AWA is used for long-term storage of digital information on a digital photosensitive archival film (piqlFilm). With the combination of resilient long-term storage technology and the remote, safe and cold conditions found on Svalbard, AWA is designed to keep data preserved for >1000 years. Storage at low temperature will increase the lifespan of the piqlFilm, but little is known about how mine vault environments can affect the different components of a Piql system (piqlFilm, piqlBox and wrapping bag). The results from this environmental characterization will be used for accelerated life testing of the Piql system. This report is based on literature studies of the chemical, biological and radiation environment in coal mines, and data collected during two sampling campaigns (summer 2021 and winter 2022). The measured concentrations of NH3 in the AWA vault was six times higher than the 2018–2020 annual averages measured by Norwegian Institute for Air Research (NILU) at Norwegian mainland measurement sites and 16 times higher than concentrations measured at the Zeppelin observatory in Ny-Ålesund. The concentrations of the other gases measured (NO2, SO2, CO2 and CH4) were at natural atmospheric background levels. The DNA concentration observed in air samples collected in the AWA vault were in the lower range of concentrations found in environmental outdoor environments, indicating fewer airborne microorganisms. The results suggest that there is no reason to customize the microbiological environment during accelerated life testing of the Piql system. Visible fungal growth was observed on the plywood floor in the storage container inside the AWA vault during the sampling campaigns. If left unchecked, the fungal growth would undoubtedly increase during long-term storage and exchanging the plywood floor with e.g. steel should be considered since this will limit problems associated with fungal and other kinds of microbial growth. The effective radiation dose inside the mine tunnels and AWA vault was measured at levels equivalent to the lower range of the average background radiation in Norway and lower than the outdoor reference measurements near Mine 3. Therefore, these results indicate no increased risk of long-term storage effects on the Piql system from radiation in the AWA vault compared to other possible storage environments.