NWT RESEARCH DATABASE

Regions: Inuvialuit Settlement Region, Gwich'in Settlement Area

Tags: physical sciences, active layer, climatology, ground temperature, permafrost

Objective(s): To establish permafrost and active layer monitoring sites adjacent to schools and acquire data that will be used to develop a circumpolar ground temperature database; and to development of science education packages for cryospheric science (snow, ice and permafrost) and climatic change using temperature data, and permafrost.

Project Description: Uniform permafrost and ground surface temperature measurements are one of the more important databases for long-term climatic study as well as remote sensing ground truthing data. Consistency in sensor depth, casing and drilling methods helps in comparison of the spatial and temporal distribution of the permafrost and seasonal conditions. The proposed partnership with the schools aids continuous measurements, and supports maintenance of the sites over longer periods. The obtained data will be always available to the public and GIS base internet-accessible throughout the world. The proposed activities will establish a sustainable network of permafrost and active layer observatories. The Global Terrestrial Network for Permafrost (GTN-P) is a metadata-based system established in the late 1990’s under the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) which currently contains more than 450 documented borehole and 125 active layer sites across both polar regions. However, the GTN-P does not provide for a formal network of permafrost observatories. This proposal will formally link observations from the approximately 100 boreholes in circumpolar countries; in doing so, this project will formally initiate the International Network of Permafrost Observatories (INPO). The project objectives are to: 1: establish permafrost and active layer monitoring sites adjacent to schools and acquire data; 2: develop a circumpolar ground temperature database in cooperation with GTN-P. Obtained data sets will be shared with all arctic countries and communities through the internet (http://www.uaf.edu/permafrost); 3: participate in planning and implementation to make an International Network of Permafrost Observatories (INPO) part of current and future IPY activities; 4: encourage development of a new generation of arctic researchers and remote sensing specialists through international centers and programs, and support of K-12 outreach activities; and 5: develop science education packages for cryospheric science (snow, ice and permafrost) and climatic change using temperature data, and permafrost. This is an important science project for these remote villages. These objectives will make a strong contribution to arctic communities, as well as bridge to the non-permafrost regions. These are also great opportunities for the more isolated villages to build connections with the rest of the world. This proposal requests support for a five-year period. Funding will underwrite establishing and maintaining ground temperature observations at school sites and project personnel outreach to participating schools. Installation consists of a small borehole (approximately 2 inches in diameter) drilled near the school. The borehole is lined with plastic pipe, and thermistor temperature sensors are installed at various depths (perhaps as deep as 20 feet (6m) below the ground surface). The project results in minimal disturbance at the surface, and the only remaining equipment are the underground temperature sensors and a small battery-operated data logger housed in a small enclosure at the surface. The research team are currently using a Hobo U12 (4 channel), soil/water thermistors at each school. Both teachers and students participated in the establishment and instrument installation process, and project personnel visit classrooms to discuss permafrost science and engineering at each site. The data loggers are designed to operate automatically and are able to store data for long periods of time. The teachers and students make periodic measurements of snow thickness above the measurement site and aid in downloading the data. Project personnel used the data in subsequent classroom activities. If the research team can maintain these activities over the long term (i.e. several years) the resulting permafrost temperature data will make important contributions to studies related to the long term permafrost conditions in various areas of North America; this data could help provide relevant information regarding potential climate warming. This project includes lectures in classrooms and a lesson plan for permafrost as well as could be incorporated into school science projects and/or individual science projects. The research team have a mail newsletter to connect with science teachers in each community as well as the project web site The fieldwork for this study will be conducted from May 21, 2013 to December 31, 2013.