Regions: Inuvialuit Settlement Region, Gwich'in Settlement Area
Tags: aboriginal community, water sampling, water chemistry, environmental change, community engagement, biogeochemical processes, Mackenzie River, student participation
| Principal Investigator: | Guo, Laodong (2) |
| Licence Number: | 13791 |
| Organization: | University of Alaska Fairbanks |
| Licensed Year(s): |
2005
2004
|
| Issued: | Apr 25, 2005 |
| Project Team: | Dr. Claude Belzile (Research Associate, University of Alaska Fairbanks), Dr. Yihua Cai (Research Associate, University of Alaska Fairbanks), Mr. Chunhao Xu (Research Assistant, University of Alaska Fairbanks), Ms. Melinda Juliana (Research Assistant, University of Alaska Fairbanks) |
Project Description: The purpose of the study is to better understand how climate and environmental changes affect river water chemistry and material export fluxes, and in turn, how biogeochemical tracers can be used to examine the impacts and biogeochemical consequences of environmental changes. This is the second year of a three-year study. The researchers plan to sample the Mackenzie River starting in late April before spring break-up, again in May or June during or right after break-up, and then bimonthly while there is open water, until about November. A car or truck will be used for transporting water samples from the river to the laboratory. Equipment to be used includes a water pump and filtration system. Water samples will be transported to UAF for further processing and analysis. About 40 to 60 liters of water will be needed each sampling trip. Results will be presented in national and international meetings, published on internet websites and in scientific journals, and used in classroom teaching and outreach. There will be ample opportunities for school students and communities to be involved in the river sampling and to learn more about the impacts and consequences of climate and environmental changes in the North. A local First Nations person will assist during the fieldwork. The study will be conducted at the Mackenzie River near Tsiigehtchic or along the East Channel near Inuvik.
