Regions: Inuvialuit Settlement Region, Gwich'in Settlement Area
| Principal Investigator: | Hille, Erika C (13) |
| Licence Number: | 17061 |
| Organization: | Aurora Research Institute |
| Licensed Year(s): |
2022
|
| Issued: | Jun 15, 2022 |
| Project Team: | Lance Gray |
Objective(s): To examine the oxygen and hydrogen isotopic compositions of stream water and precipitation for 11 peatland stream watersheds along the Inuvik-to-Tuktoyaktuk Highway (ITH), and to use the information to understand the hydrology of the contributing watershed.
Project Description: This licence has been issued for the scientific research application No.5295. The objective of this project is to examine the oxygen (d18O) and hydrogen (d2H) isotopic compositions of stream water and precipitation for 11 peatland stream watersheds along the Inuvik-to-Tuktoyaktuk Highway (ITH). This information will be used to understand the hydrology of the contributing watershed. In particular, it will provide information on the relative importance of surface runoff, groundwater discharge, and water storage. The research team will also characterize the contributing watershed of the same 11 peatland streams based on size, permafrost conditions, and terrain conditions, in order to explain variability in hydrologic conditions. The team will use the stream isotopic signatures and terrain characterizations to compare and contrast the seasonal water chemistry (dissolved organic carbon, particulate organic carbon, dissolved inorganic nitrogen, dissolved organic nitrogen, soluble reactive phosphorus, mineral ions) of 11 peatland streams along the ITH. Water samples will be collected from 11 peatland streams along the ITH up to twice weekly over the flow period (June to September) of 2022. At the time of sampling, in-situ water temperature, dissolved oxygen, pH, and conductivity measurements will be taken using a YSI EXO3 Multiparameter Sonde. In addition to stream sampling, rainfall samples will be collected after each rainfall event. Stream and rainfall samples will be analyzed for stable isotopes of water (d18O and d2H). Stream samples will be analyzed for Dissolved Organic Carbon (DOC), Particulate Organic Carbon (POC), Total Dissolved Nitrogen (TDN), Dissolved Inorganic Nitrogen (DIN; NO3-N, NO2-N, NH4-N), Dissolved Organic Nitrogen (DON), Soluble Reactive Phosphorus (SRP; PO43-), and Major Ions (Ca2+, Cl-, F-, Na+, Mg2+, K+, SO42-, HCO3-). Elevation data, obtained through the Arctic DEM, will be used to delineate each stream watershed. Using the stream delineation and detailed terrain information, the contributing catchment will be characterized based on size, vegetation, parent material, and relief. High resolution imagery, obtained via satellite and remotely piloted aerial systems, will be used to characterize the contributing watershed based on the nature and magnitude of permafrost thaw. Finally, the hydrology (surface runoff, groundwater runoff, and water storage) of the contributing watershed will be characterized using stable isotopes of water. The Principal Investigator (PI) will reach out to local government, community, Indigenous, and co-management organizations with preliminary results. The PI will present preliminary results through an online platform, such as the ARI Virtual Speaker Series. A video of this presentation will be made available to the local organizations listed on this license. Additionally, any publications resulting from this research will be shared with the organizations listed on this license. The fieldwork for this study will be conducted from June 13, 2022 to October 28, 2022.
