NWT RESEARCH DATABASE

Regions: Inuvialuit Settlement Region, Gwich'in Settlement Area

Tags: physical sciences, bathymetry, oceanography, seabed, sediment core

Objective(s): To conduct the Marine Research Program which includes ship-based surveys, geologic surveys and sampling, and oceanographic and atmospheric measurements.

Project Description: This licence has been issued for the scientific research application No.5183. The Korea Polar Research Institute (KOPRI), Natural Resources Canada (NRCan), the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute (MBARI) and the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) are proposing to conduct the marine Research Program. The proposed Research Program includes ship-based surveys, geologic surveys and sampling, and oceanographic and atmospheric measurements. The agencies involved are undertaking this research to acquire geoscience knowledge about the outer shelf and slope of the Beaufort Sea with an intent to address knowledge gaps related to thawing of subsea permafrost and dissociation of gas hydrates. The studies build upon collaborative marine research programs conducted in this region in 2013, 2014, and 2017 on the KOPRI icebreaker Research Vessel (IBRV) Araon. Thus far, the research has produced numerous publications that have advanced the scientific understanding of seafloor processes such as active mud volcanoes and the structure of the seafloor sediments with respect to permafrost and gas hydrate distribution. Copies of all publications have been provided to the Environmental Impact Screening Committee (EISC) and to the Aurora Research Institute for inclusion in their library, which is accessible to the public. The Program activities include: vessel mobilization, oceanographic data collection and water column/plankton sampling, meteorological measurement and sampling, bathymetric data collection, sub-bottom profiling, sediment coring and heat flow measurements, Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) surveys, Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV) surveys, seafloor mooring, and vessel demobilization The Program is scheduled to be in Canadian waters in the southern Beaufort Sea for 16 days between August 27 and September 14, 2022. The Program will operate in water depths ranging from 20 m to 2000 m. Oceanographic data collection will include water column characterization through conductivity, depth, and temperature instruments. Meteorological parameters such as air temperature, pressure and humidity, and radiative fluxes to measure surface variables will be measured, and measurements of greenhouse gas concentrations such as aerosols will be made. An all-sky camera, a micro-pulse LiDAR, and a radiosonde sounding system will observe cloud and atmospheric properties. Bathymetric data collection will be completed through the use of a multibeam echo sounder. Sub-bottom profiling, used for characterizing layers of sediment or rock under the seafloor, will be conducted using the hull-mounted transducers on the IBRV Araon. Sediment coring provides physical seabed sample data, and will be completed through a small sampling pipe that penetrates the seabed and retrieves a tube (core) of intact sediment. Heat flow measurements will be taken by inserting a heat probe, which consists of a frame (weight and barrel) and electrical parts (sensors, data logger, and thermistors), into sediments several meters below the seafloor to measure their temperature. The mini-ROV will be used to visually examine seafloor features from the vessel. The mini-ROV is capable of light duty work functions such as limited sampling, and video transects. It is outfitted with the following suite of instruments: High definition (HD) camera, scanning sonar, lasers used for measuring features, light-emitting diode (LED) lights (10,000 lumens) and a common technical document (CTD). Two Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUV), equipped with multibeam and sub-bottom profiler systems, will be used to conduct high-resolution seafloor mapping at areas of specific interest. One seafloor mooring is proposed for a one-year deployment (retrieved in 2023). The main purpose of the mooring is to record seafloor motion at high temporal resolution, with supporting measurements of sediment pore pressure, total pressure, conductivity, and temperature. Within the Study Area, regional studies will include underway methane surveys, station oceanographic studies and water column/plankton sampling. More detailed studies of sea bed processes will take place in the Main Survey Areas through AUV surveys to map sea bottom change and ROV dives to document seabed conditions All activities will be completed from the IBRV Araon. The IBRV Araon is a ‘state of the art’ modern ice class vessel, measuring 111 m long by 19 m wide. It was built in 2009 and is registered in South Korea. It can accommodate a crew of 25 with 60 passengers. The vessel is equipped with crew quarters, a galley, food storage areas, fresh water treatment equipment, a wastewater treatment system and solid waste storage. The main opportunity for Inuvialuit and local individuals to participate in the Program will be through the role of Environmental Monitors onboard the vessel. If possible, two Environmental Monitors will be hired from the communities in the Inuvialuit Settlement Region (ISR) based on availability and training/experience. The Inuvialuit Regional Corporation, as well as the NWT Geological Survey and the Yukon Geological Survey have been contacted about opportunities to participate in the research program and build northern capacity. A post-field report and copies of all scientific contributions (scientific papers, maps, and databases) will be provided to the communities in the ISR through their Hunters and Trappers Committees and through the Aurora Research Institute. The science crew may post blog entries to website which would be accessible by the public during and after Program operations. The fieldwork for this study will be conducted from August 27, 2022 to September 14, 2022