Regions: Inuvialuit Settlement Region, Gwich'in Settlement Area, Sahtu Settlement Area, Dehcho Region
Tags: physical sciences, active layer, ground temperature, vegetation, climate change, hydrology, snow, erosion
| Principal Investigator: | Nixon, Frederick M (3) |
| Licence Number: | 14172 |
| Organization: | Geological Survey of Canada, NRCan |
| Licensed Year(s): |
2008
2007
2006
2005
2004
2003
2002
2001
2000
1999
1998
1997
1996
1995
1994
1993
1992
1991
1990
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| Issued: | Jun 06, 2007 |
Objective(s): To conduct surveys of thaw depth and temperature in order to understand how the active layer will respond to environmental change, including climate warming.
Project Description: The active layer is the earth overlying permafrost that thaws from the surface and re-freezes each year, and it responds to climate change. Active layer thickness influences vegetation and soil conditions, potentially influencing hunting, forestry, etc. and it’s, thickness, texture and moisture content affects foundations. Changes in the active layer and thaw depth can contribute to slope instability with impacts on transportation, structures, stream/river water quality, and hydrology. It is important to understand how the active layer varies locally and regionally and how it will respond to environmental change, including climate change. This is the 17th annual survey of a network of thaw depth measuring tubes and temperature data loggers along a transect extending from Fort Simpson to Tuktoyaktuk. Surveys of 60 sites will be done in August (coordinates on file). Snow surveys will be carried out at selected sites in the Delta during mid April. The thaw tubes consist of 2.5cm diameter water filled pipes anchored at 4 meters depth and protruding about 30cm above the surface that record the maximum annual thaw depth at a site. Temperature loggers are installed in small screens above ground and buried just below the surface. Ten meter ground temperature cables have been installed at a few sites to supplement the above instrumentation. Annual readings over a number of years will tell if there is a change in thaw depth and its relation to temperature conditions. Work will be based out of Inuvik, Norman Wells and Fort Simpson. Travel will be by road, small boat and helicopter, with access on foot from road or river. Communication of the research activities/findings is performed through the research licensing process. Published results are sent to communities and regional governing organizations. A permafrost display at the Visitor Centre in Inuvik is a legacy of this project, and posters have been set to Schools in the region. Fieldwork will be conducted from June 6 to September 1, 2007.
