NWT RESEARCH DATABASE

Tags: physical sciences, vegetation, atmospheric sciences, meteorology, methane

Objective(s): To establish patterns of methane concentration in the atmosphere over the Mackenzie delta region and to quantify the emission of methane from these areas.

Project Description: The objectives of this survey are to establish patterns of methane (CH4) concentration in the atmosphere over the Mackenzie delta region and to quantify the emission of CH4 from these areas. Together with the data from previous data the research team should be able to estimate the annual contribution of the Mackenzie delta region to the atmospheric methane budget. Furthermore the research team will characterise vegetation patterns based on hyperspectral image data and analyse the influence of different surface and vegetation characteristics of regional methane emissions. The study consists of aerial survey flights with a DC3 aircraft based at Inuvik airport. On average one flight every other day will be conducted to cover the most part of the Mackenzie delta within the two weeks. The team will not take any samples nor install any equipment on land. The research team will be available for community science presentatio... Show morens or classroom visits, and when the airplane (a refurbished 70 year old DC-3) is on the ground, tours of the airplane can be arranged in which the science would be explained hands-on. The research team will seek local knowledge of the survey areas to avoid any potential disturbance to wildlife. The previous year's results can be communicated directly through public presentations, classroom lectures, or posters in the following year. Wider dissemination of results will be achieved through peer-reviewed publications and the general media. The fieldwork for this study will be conducted from September 9, 2016 to September 21, 2016. Show less