NWT RESEARCH DATABASE

Regions: Inuvialuit Settlement Region, Gwich'in Settlement Area

Tags: geology, permafrost, geochemistry, sediment, ice thickness

Objective(s): (1) To 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 ITH, highlighting features at risk of future permafrost thaw.

Project Description: This licence has been issued for the scientific research application No. 5791. 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 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. In pursuance of the objectives, the methods for this study include mapping, shallow coring, Electrical Resistivity Tomography (ERT), geochemical and geotechnical analysis. Additionally, our 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 will 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. Interactions with the Inuvialuit Land Administration (ILA) were consistently enriched during fieldwork days, including the privilege of having wildlife monitors from the ILA accompany the research team on many excursions to our field sites in close proximity to Inuvik. In the spirit of enhancing community engagement, the researcher has identified several key opportunities: 1) Youth Involvement: it is important to involve the youth in these initiatives. 2) Community Training. Two opportunities have been presented for next year - a training course on permafrost coring and monitoring, initially scheduled for fall 2023. However, it has been postponed due to wildfires until next year. Secondly, in talks with the Gwich'in government out of Fort McPherson to have a training day about coring and monitoring of permafrost. 3) Sharing Data: Once the research paper is published, the researcher aims to provide the community with the article and open data, including a plain-language summary, briefly highlighting the paper's critical findings for easy comprehension. Moreover, the researcher has been asked by the Aurora Research Institute in Inuvik to present a talk, in plain language, about the research in April 2024. 4) Indigenous Knowledge: understanding where permafrost thaw is affecting the communities today, particularly regarding hunting, gathering, or infrastructure issues, could guide research in the future. The fieldwork for this study will be conducted from: April 08 - October 01, 2024