Regions: Gwich'in Settlement Area
Tags: physical sciences, environmental impact, permafrost, climate change, land use planning, geotechnical survey, ground ice distribution
| Principal Investigator: | Smith, Sharon S (22) |
| Licence Number: | 14018 |
| Organization: | Geological Survey of Canada |
| Licensed Year(s): |
2006
|
| Issued: | Jul 04, 2006 |
| Project Team: | Sharon Smith (Principal Investigator, GSC), Shiqiang Ye (Primary Contact, GSC), Dr. Larry Dyke (Advisor, GSC), Mark Nixon (Team Member, GSC), Dr. Dan Riseborough (Team Member, GSC), Wendy Sladen (Team Member, GSC) |
Project Description: Gaps exist in the Mackenzie monitoring network in the permafrost zones north of Norman Wells, the Mackenzie Delta region and shorelines and coastlines. Enhancement of the network is essential to provide baseline information for developments such as pipelines, highways and power lines, and to assess the impact of such development and/or climate change on the environment. In this project, temperature cables and other instruments will be installed in boreholes to monitor permafrost. Samples will be obtained to determine the properties of soils and characterize terrain conditions. Four sampling sites in the Gwich’in Settlement Area have been selected near existing C.N.T. trails (for accessibility). Up to twelve boreholes up to 20 m in depth will be drilled (one or two at each site). Heli-portable, light air rotary drills will be used and no drill fluids will be required. Temperature cables and data loggers will be installed in boreholes. Additional instrumentation may be installed to record climate related information. Soil samples obtained from selected boreholes will characterize ground ice and geotechnical conditions. Access will be by helicopter and by foot. Project data will be available through the Canadian Permafrost Monitoring Network website (www.canpfnetwork.com), and published in Geological Survey of Canada reports. Results will be presented to communities, and copies of publications will be sent to regional organizations. Fieldwork will be conducted from July 4 to December 31, 2006 on Crown land. Specific sites are: Norris Creek (68°23'59.18" 133°18'30.86"), Campbell Lake (68°14'35.31"133° 5'45.50"), North Caribou (68° 8'52.21" 132°56'13.38"), and Thunder River airstrip (67°29'4.09" 130°49'34.06").
