NWT RESEARCH DATABASE

Regions: Gwich'in Settlement Area

Tags: water quality, sediment, environmental baseline, Mackenzie Gas Project, plankton, species composition

Objective(s): The objective of this study to examine lakes possibly affected by the proposed Mackenzie Gas Project pipeline, and lakes that can serve as future control/reference sites.

Project Description: This licence is being issued for the scientific research application no. 983. The objective of this study to examine lakes possibly affected by the proposed Mackenzie Gas Project pipeline, and lakes that can serve as future control/reference sites. The researchers will measure the following: nutrients and metals in lake water and sediments, lake water quality (DO, pH, conductivity, etc.), and plankton abundance/species composition. The researchers will sample approximately 10 lakes in the Inuvialuit Settlement Region which will be affected by the proposed Mackenzie Gas Project pipeline route. These lakes will be chosen based on advice from the Inuvialuit. The researcher will access the lakes via helicopter during March 2009. At a deep, central site on each lake, the researchers will: (1) measure water quality (temp, DO, pH, conductivity, turbidity) with depth using a YSI multiparameter sonde, (2) collect plankton using a fine-mesh net, (3) collect water samples using a Niskin water bottle, and (4) collect sediment sample using an Eckman dredge. The fieldwork for this study will be conducted at Travaillant Lake, Sandy Lake, Tregnantchiez Lake, Deep Lake, Bathing Lake, Rengleng Lake, Odizen Lake, Sunny Lake, Caribou Lake, Jiggle Lake, Wounded Bear Lake, Loche Lake, Big Stone Lake, In and Out Lake, Whirl Lake, Attoe Lake, Cardinal Lake, Clearwater Lake, Tundra Lake, Puzzle Lake, Beaver Lake, Campbell Lake, Hill Lake, Fish Trap Lake, Wood Bridge Lake, Crossing Creek Lake from March 01 to April 30, 2009.