NWT RESEARCH DATABASE

Regions: Inuvialuit Settlement Region, Gwich'in Settlement Area

Tags: physical sciences, climate change, geochemistry, permafrost thaw, highway, hazards

Objective(s): To evaluate the geologic setting including geochemistry, and dating of sediments to establish a regional history of the area and to investigate the geologic setting of multiple buried, massive ice bodies and develop a geologic and hazards map along the Inuvik to Tuktoyaktuk, highlighting features at risk of future permafrost thaw.

Project Description: This licence has been issued for the scientific research application No.5100. The objectives of this study are to: 1) evaluate the geologic setting including geochemistry, and dating of sediments to establish a regional history of the area; 2) investigate the geologic setting of multiple buried, massive ice bodies; and 3) develop a geologic and hazards map along the Inuvik to Tuktoyaktuk Highway (ITH), highlighting features at risk of future permafrost thaw. These objectives will aid in a deeper understanding of permafrost and large bodies of ice stored within the permafrost. Ultimately, the goal is to derive a map that showcases which zones are at severe risk from climate change. The methods for this study include mapping, shallow coring, Electrical Resistivity Tomography (ERT), geochemical and geotechnical analysis. Additionally, the University of Alberta lab, has been fortunate to have received funding to acquire Airborne Electromagnetic Mapping (AEM) via an aircraft. This AEM will aid the development of the geohazards map by providing a large-scale distribution of permafrost. Additional coring sites will be selected based on proximity to ground subsidence (thermokarst) features, such as thaw slumps, which reflect the thawing massive ice bodies. Electrical Resistivity Tomography (ERT) provides a tool to map the lateral continuity of buried enormous ice. ERT is supplemented by shallow coring (2-4 meters deep) by a field-portable 2-person auger. The shallow cores will characterize the permafrost materials for the ice content. This study will better situate our understanding of climate change on future trajectories of thaw in ice-rich terrain in northern Canada. This project has four objectives for community engagement which are to provide research posters, deliver talks in elementary schools, speak and interact with elders, and offer a field-day at a coring site with youth. The research team will be able to show lots of pictures, talk about the importance of permafrost, and answer any questions regarding permafrost or what it's like to be a university student. The PI was able to work closely with the environmental monitor and had an opportunity to interact with community members and listen to their views and stories on how the landscape has changed. Posters would be there to highlight what the team are doing in the community and have my personal contact information to answer any questions. The PI will continue to pursue this outreach plan in 2023. The fieldwork for this study will be conducted from March 15, 2022 to September 30, 2022.