NWT RESEARCH DATABASE

Regions: North Slave Region

Tags: physical sciences, permafrost, climate change

Objective(s): To understand how permafrost differs in temperature and chemical/physical characteristics from place to place.

Project Description: The objectives of this research are: 1) to understand better how permafrost differs in temperature and chemical/physical characteristics from place to place; 2) to understand how these different types of permafrost respond to change (climate/disturbance); and, 3) to understanding which future changes in permafrost are likely and which are less likely based on computer simulations. The research team will take high-quality measurements in three selected regions (forest, tundra, possible one site in transition). 25-50 measurement sites of about 15m * 15m in each region will be randomly placed. At each site, ground temperature will be measured and ground conditions (topography, vegetation, soil) will be sampled and described. The research team will analyse measurements statistically of the variation within each site (topography, temperature, physical/chemical characteristics). The team will analyze how ground conditions drive permafrost conditions and also commonalities and differences between regions. The research team will use computer models to predict permafrost properties and their changes, and compare results with field measurements. Differences between simulation and field measurement and settings where models are good enough to inform decisions will be identified. The research team will take advantage of other permafrost-related projects in the region (in collaboration with the Geoscience Office and the Geological Survey of Canada). Access will be very low impact and rely on existing camps, helicopters, and in winter, snow machine. The field crew will not disturb wildlife and take care to avoid migrating caribou. The instrumentation involves very small battery driven data loggers (about 15 cm in length) that will be concealed at ground level in an unobtrusive container. In order to be effective, the site installations must have negligible impact to the permafrost, soils and surrounding vegetation. Some stations measure air temperature, but most will leave no visible trace on the ground surface. Ground subsidence will be measured with 1.5-metre-long thin wooden beams attached to a small pipe. A small datalogger measures inclination. Liquid water content in permafrost is measured inside a 2-inch plastic tube inserted into fine-grained sediments or peat with a hand-held drill. Geoelectric methods will be used to detect and quantify permafrost to a depth of ~6 m. Field visits are brief in duration and a flexible schedule allows northern research partners to access some sites opportunistically to perform tasks such as taking photographs or reading-out data loggers. All equipment can be carried by hand and leaves minimal traces. Geoelectric methods are used on the ground surface, using transects 20 to 100m long. A part of the work is conducted jointly with the NWT Geoscience Office (GNWT) and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (GNWT). Northern summer students employed by the GNWT will participate in various aspects of the field program. Furthermore there are ongoing discussions with Tom Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre with respect to using parts of this project to support heritage conservation. The research team will work with the outreach geologist at the Geoscience office to establish activities with local schools, and the team have the intention to collaborate with the Yellowknives Dene for work in the vicinity of Yellowknife. The research team have an ongoing communication with the Northern collaborators and will further strengthen the link with the Geoscience Office and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources. The team will give regular presentations at the Yellowknife Geoscience Forum and will contact the Environmental Manager at the Yellowknives Dene, the Wek'eezhii Land and Water Board, and the Wek'eezhii Renewable Resources Board to determine suitable venues for communication of results to local land managers and community members. The fieldwork for this study will be conducted from March 4, 2018 to July 20, 2018.