Regions: Gwich'in Settlement Area, Sahtu Settlement Area
Tags: physical sciences, traditional knowledge, environmental change, climatic history, environment
| Principal Investigator: | Sturm, Matthew (2) |
| Licence Number: | 14143 |
| Organization: | Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory |
| Licensed Year(s): |
2007
|
| Issued: | Apr 13, 2007 |
| Project Team: | Dr. Chris Derksen (Co-Investigator, Environment Canada), Dr. Glen Liston (Colorado State University), Mr. Jon Holmgren (USA-CRREL), Dr. Daniel Solie (University of Alaska-Fairbanks), Dr. Henry Huntington (Huntington Consulting), Mr. Arvids Silis (Environment Canada), Mr. Barney Masazumi |
Objective(s): To learn about changes in the Arctic from historical observations, to observe commercial and infrastructure changes in relation to how they compare and contrast to the impacts of a warming Arctic climate, and to compile baseline measurements of snow cover physical properties for validation of satellite datasets and snow cover chemical properties to determine mercury, halogens, and arctic haze heavy metals.
Project Description: The objectives of the Alaska-Canada Barren Lands Traverse is to: learn about changes in the Arctic from historical observations, to observe commercial and infrastructure changes in relation to how they compare and contrast to the impacts of a warming Arctic climate, and to compile baseline measurements of snow cover physical properties for validation of satellite datasets and snow cover chemical properties to determine mercury, halogens, and arctic haze heavy metals. The snowmobile traverse, headed by Dr. Sturm, will entail en route school visits and community gatherings, whereby the research team will engage in demonstrations (physics related to snow) and discussions with community members regarding local history, particularly local knowledge of traditional travel routes. These discussions will be conducted on an informal basis and will not be recorded. The snow sampling portion of the traverse will be conducted by Dr. Derksen and Mr. Silis. The proposed measurements represent the first ever systematic snow survey across the barren lands region of the Northwest Territories. So far, satellite remote sensing has been the only way to monitor the snow of this region; however, in order to develop reliable satellite products, a validation data set needs to be created across the Barrens. Three types of snow cover measurements will be made. For validation of satellite measurements of snow water equivalent, measurements of snow depth, bulk snow density, snow stratigraphy (vertical layering), and snow grain size will be made. No snow will be removed from sample sites during the course of this particular sampling. Measurements of soot in snow will comprise of snow samples being analyzed for black carbon (BC). BC has recently been identified as one of the largest uncertainties in estimates of global radiative forcing for climate change. Samples will consist of approximately 1 litre of surface and near-surface snow. No ground disturbance is anticipated. Snow samples will also be measured for presence of mercury (Hg) and halogens. This will enable observation of bromide (Br) salts in the snow, which are a likely source of the reactive bromine in the atmosphere, and mercury in snow. Samples (Hg) consist of three 250 ml bottles that will be filled at each sampling site from surface and near-surface snow. No ground disturbance is anticipated. Snow samples will be acquired at the following approximate traverse waypoints: Yamba Lake (64.95N 111.42W), Lac de Gras (64.49N 110.45W), Aylmer Lake (64.10N 108.49W), Clinton-Colden Lake (63.98N 107.46W) and Moraine Lake (64.02N 106.08W). Traverse re-supply will occur at the Daring Lake Tundra Ecosystem Research Station (64 52’ 12” N 111 35’ 6” W). Fieldwork will be conducted from April 13-23, 2007.
