NWT RESEARCH DATABASE

Regions: Inuvialuit Settlement Region

Objective(s): to determine the sulfur isotope signature of environmental conditions (superficial deposits, soil, water, vegetation) associated with relatively stable permafrost conditions compared to permafrost thaw conditions.

Project Description: This licence has been issued for the scientific research application No. 5887. The purpose of the fieldwork is to determine the sulfur isotope signature of environmental conditions (superficial deposits, soil, water, vegetation) associated with relatively stable permafrost conditions compared to permafrost thaw conditions Samples of soil (100-200 g), vegetation (<500 g), water (<1 L) and ice (<1 kg) will be collected at multiple localities from the three regions. In each region, soil profiles 1-2 m deep and naturally exposed by erosion along the river bank, coastal bluff or in landslides will be cleared of slumped soil by spade and trowel, examined, recorded and sampled. If no natural exposures are available, samples will be collected from digging a small soil pit (0.5 x 0.5 m wide x 0.5-1.0 m deep). Pits will be carefully infilled afterwards, and the turf replaced. Fieldwork in 2024 in the three regions will involve: (1) ITH: Four days of fieldwork (28th, 29th, 30th June and 1st July 2024) will be based out of a truck at various locations along the ITH between Inuvik and Tuk. Sampling will be carried out within several hundred meters of the highway. (2) East Channel: Two days of fieldwork (2nd and 3rd July 2024) will be based out of the Western Arctic Research Center, Inuvik. Sampling will be carried out on river bluffs. (3) Summer island - Mason Bay: One day of fieldwork (4th, 5th or 6th July 2024, depending on weather) will be based out of a helicopter from Inuvik. Sampling will be carried out on coastal bluffs at sites of retrogressive thaw slumps, where we compare undisturbed permafrost conditions (vegetation, soil, water) above the slump with thawed ground in the slump floor. The results of the research will be placed on the project website (in plain language) and submitted for open-access publication in scientific journals. The fieldwork for this study will be conducted from: June 28 - July 18, 2024