Regions: Inuvialuit Settlement Region, Gwich'in Settlement Area
Tags: physical sciences, environmental impact, water sampling, climate change, water chemistry, chemistry
| Principal Investigator: | Holmes, Robert M (6) |
| Licence Number: | 14881 |
| Organization: | Woods Hole Research Center |
| Licensed Year(s): |
2024
2023
2022
2020
2019
2018
2017
2016
2015
2014
2013
2012
2011
2010
2009
|
| Issued: | Mar 11, 2011 |
| Project Team: | Robin Staples, Jorien Vonk, Claire Griffin, Suzanne Tank |
Objective(s): To determine how climate change is affecting arctic rivers by make measurements of the concentration of naturally-occurring chemicals (like carbon and nitrogen) and see if they are changing.
Project Description: The Arctic Great Rivers Observatory project studies the six largest rivers in the Arctic; the Mackenzie and Yukon Rivers in North America and the Ob', Yenisey, Lena, and Kolyma rivers in Russia. The researchers are interested in how climate change is impacting arctic rivers. The researchers will make measurements of the concentration of naturally-occurring chemicals (like carbon and nitrogen) and try to figure out if they are changing. They plan to collect water samples from the Mackenzie River. The samples will either be collected from shore (near Inuvik) or from a boat (near the ferry crossing at a well-established site used by Environment Canada water resources). Samples will be filtered and frozen or refrigerated in plastic bottles. Water temperature will also be measured, dissolved oxygen concentration, and pH. Samples collected from shore at Inuvik will be collected from just below the surface of the river. Samples collected by boat near the ferry crossing will be "depth integrated", meaning that a sampling device will be used that collects water from throughout the water column. On each sampling date, only 2-15 liters of water will be collected. Water samples from the Mackenzie River from shore, at Inuvik, on most days from mid-May until mid-June. Samples will also be collected 5 times per year from the Mackenzie River near Tsiigethchic, using a boat or through the ice. The researchers would be happy to give presentations to any local groups or schools, or meet with any local organizations who would like to hear about or discuss this work. They will also prepare a poster describing the project for display at the Aurora Research Institute; additional copies can be made if desired. The fieldwork for this study will be conducted from March 11, 2011 to December 31, 2011.
