NWT RESEARCH DATABASE

Regions: Inuvialuit Settlement Region

Tags: physical sciences, water sampling, oceanography, oceanic currents, ecosystem impacts, shelf-basin exchange

Objective(s): To characterize the western Arctic Boundary current (which flows at the edge of the shelf), in order to understand its role in dictating shelf-basin exchange of water and materials and how it impacts the ecosystem of the region, including the occurrence of marine mammals.

Project Description: The main objective is to characterize the western Arctic Boundary current (which flows at the edge of the shelf), in order to understand its role in dictating shelf-basin exchange of water and materials and how it impacts the ecosystem of the region, including the occurrence of marine mammals. This project is a collaboration between US and Canadian scientists. We are using a combination of year-round sub-surface moorings in the boundary current (deployed upstream in US waters), and seasonal (summertime) shipboard measurements, including measurements downstream in Canadian waters. The instrument package (standard CTD/Rosette) will be lowered at each station in Canadian waters. The package carries an array of electronic sensors to measure water properties (primarily temperature, salinity and depth) and 10 litre bottles that are closed at specified depths to take water samples. No biological or fish sampling will be conducted. We will not be using any nets or sediment grabs. There is available berthing on the ship if a local observer wants to sail on the cruise. The researchers are willing to work with ARI to identify a student to participate in the cruise. The data are publicly available soon after the cruise. The researchers will plan on outreach visits to the local communities explaining the research and the results. Data reports will be available and scientific papers will be published based on the data. The fieldwork for this study will be conducted from October 6, 2011 to October 28, 2011.