NWT RESEARCH DATABASE

Tags: physical sciences, water quality, permafrost, climate change, hydrology, carbon fluxes, aquatic biology

Objective(s): To understand how permafrost slumping increases the mobilization of organic and inorganic carbon from land to water, and the effects of this movement on stream communities.

Project Description: The objective of this study is to understand how permafrost slumping increases the mobilization of organic and inorganic carbon from land to water, and the effects of this movement on stream communities. To do this work, the research team will measure streamwater chemistry upstream and downstream of slump sites. The team will also examine the fate of this carbon by undertaking incubation experiments that measure bacterial uptake and degradation of carbon travelling from slump sites to downstream locations, and measuring the concentration of carbon dioxide (CO2) leaving the streams. The 2017 work will occur on the Peel Plateau. Most travel to sites will occur via foot and helicopter. The research team are also considering accessing stream outflow sites by travelling upstream on the Peel River. Any work on the Peel River would be done in consultation with the Fort McPherson Renewable Resources Council (RRC). All work on the Peel Plateau is conducted with the assistance of wildlife monitors, arranged via the Fort McPherson RRC. For the work on the Peel Plateau, the research team will collect water samples from upstream and downstream of slump sites. Occasionally the team will also undertake 'transect' type measurements to examine how the effects of slumping diminish downstream. When possible, the research team will also collect samples of runoff water directly from the slump sites. Water samples will be filtered in the field using a hand pump. Further analyses, including incubation experiments, will be conducted at the Aurora Research Institute. The research team will not be collecting any biological specimens other than the bacteria that occur naturally in filtered water samples. For the survey work the team will collect water samples, and also measure in-stream gas concentrations by placing a small (50 cm x 50 cm x 50 cm) plastic chamber on the stream surface, and measuring the change in gas concentrations inside this chamber. These measurements do not require any materials to be left in the stream. These measurements take about 30 minutes to complete. In some cases, small water chemistry sensors will be left in some of the target streams. These sensors measure pH, conductivity, and turbidity, and are approximately 60 cm long, and 10 cm in diameter. The sensors will be deployed by anchoring them to the stream bed using ropes (which will be removed) and natural materials such as large rocks and stream-side trees. As in past years, the research team are happy to give presentations to local community organizations that are interested in the work. The research team also find that having community members involved in the research on a day-to-day basis as wildlife monitors is very helpful for allowing the team to incorporate community feedback into the efforts, and for facilitating the passing on of information about the research the team are conducting to other members of the community. The fieldwork for this study will be conducted from June 1, 2017 to August 31, 2017.