NORTHWEST· TERRITORIES SCIENTIFIC·RESEARCH · 1988 SCIENCE·INSTITUTE OF·THE·NORTHWEST·TERRITORIES Contents Introduction ... iii Baffin Region ... 1 lnuvik Region ... 23 Keewatin Region ... 33 Kitikmeot Region ... 39 Fort Smith Region . 45 Index by Researcher ... 53 Index by Category ... 55 Research Reports . .. 60 Regional Map ... 64 Introduction Research Licence. The only exceptions are archaeology, which is administered Was the Arctic once a lush tropical envi­ by the Prince of Wales Northern Heritage ronment inhabited by dinosaurs? Centre in Yellowknife, and studies of land animals, which are licenced through the Who were the people who lived on Elles­ Wildlife Management Division of the De­ mere Island in the High Arctic thousands partment of Renewable Resources, also of years ago? in Yellowknife. How prepared are the communities in the The Scientific Research Licences were Eastern Arctic for the economic develop­ established for a number of reasons. ment that would follow the establishment Generally, it was felt that northern resi­ of Nunavut? dents should be informed about and invit­ ed to participate in research that occurs What sort of a fish is an Arctic Cisco? in and around their communities. To this end, scientists are required to discuss Should northerners be worried about their proposed research with local com­ contaminants in their country food? munity representatives before they begin work. They must also submit reports on Can computers be used to predict their research results when they are fin­ the way a forest fire will spread? ished and are encouraged to give public presentations where appropriate. In addition, the licencing information is contributed to the Arctic Science and These are just a few of the questions Technology Information System, a com­ scientists in the N.W.T. have been trying puterized database maintained by the to answer. This booklet contains summar­ Arctic Institute of North America, and, in a ies of more than 170 research projects non-technical form, is released to media carried out between January 1 and and community organizations. December 31 , 1988. The disciplines range from geology and marine biology For the first time, we have included ar­ to linguistics and health science, with lots chaeological field work in this published of variety in between. And while the bulk list. While these projects are regulated by of the work was done by researchers the Prince of Wales Northern Heritage from universities in southern Canada, in­ Centre in Yellowknife, we have added creasingly, northern companies, govern­ them here in an attempt to reflect more ment departments, and individuals are completely the variety of research being designing and carrying out projects of carried out in the N.W.T. In the future we their own. hope to be able to add information about wildlife-related research which is li­ Of the 173 listings in this directory, more cenced through the Department of Re­ than 150 represent projects licenced by newable Resources. the Science Institute of the N.W.T. All researchers who carry out investigations in the territories require a Scientific v New horizons In Social Science effects of prolonged hard work under extreme conditions. Another group sam­ While social scientists still are not pled the air and snow for atmospheric coming north in the numbers that physi­ pollutants on their way to the pole and cal scientists are, it was encouraging back. over the past year to see researchers tackling new subjects in the social sci­ Are you listed •.•? ences. For example, northern research­ ers examined the changing roles of wom­ One of the goals of the licencing system en in the N.W.T., the pressures facing has been to improve communication nurses in remote posts, and the develop­ amongst researchers working in the ment of regional governments. N.W.T. Often, individuals working on the same topic in different parts of the territo­ Another area which is receiving in­ ries have been unaware of each other. creased attention is climate change. We believe that scientists will benefit from Much work done over the last several being familiar with each others' work, and years has been aimed at improving our that this will be critical to developing a co­ knowledge of past climates as a means ordinated approach to northern research of better understanding the full signifi­ in Canada. cance of global warming and ozone de­ pletion. It seems fairly certain that the po­ So, again, we urge all scientists work­ lar regions will feel the effects of global ing in the N.W.T. who are not represented warming more strongly than southern ar­ in this listing to contact us so that their eas. work can be acknowledged in future list­ ings. In the life sciences, a number of re­ searchers have been assessing the prob­ For more information .•. lem of arctic contaminants-- pollutants transported long distances in the atmos­ If you would like to know more about phere and deposited in the North where any of the research listed here, please they are then taken up by plants and or­ contact the Science Institute or, better ganisms. They have been found in cari­ yet, write to the researcher whose work bou, marine mammals and fish across interests you. We have included a list of the N.W.T. all the research reports received to date that relate to the projects mentioned in More and more, expeditions are adding this booklet. Where possible, we will be to our knowledge of the arctic regions by happy to supply copies of this material on collecting data as they travel to and from request, but remind you that the re­ the north pole and other remote loca­ searchers themselves are the best tions. Members of the joint Soviet­ source of information. Canadian Trans-Polar Skitrek took measurements of the earth's magnetic Michael Sharpe or Laurie Nowakowski field in order to test the theory of a Soviet Science Institute of the N.W.T. scientist who believes there may be a Box 1617 second magnetic north pole. They also Yellowknife, N.W.T. conducted medical tests to assess the X1A 2P2 vi Who can benefit from using this listing? Journalists will find it an excellent source of ideas for interesting and impor­ tant stories. Teachers can use it as a catalogue of resource people . Most researchers are happy to explain their work to students, either in writing or, when possible, in the classroom. Bureaucrats and administrators may find that information from research is useful in formulating policies or improv­ ing procedures, as well as adding signifi­ cantly to our knowledge of the people and resources of the territories. Decision makers (local and regional counsellors, members of educational au­ thorities, MLA's and others) may find that research projects provide them with new insights into difficult issues. Northern researchers can use the listings to keep up to date on their col­ leagues' work. Everyone can enjoy the variety of sub­ jects being studied and the interesting ideas that are being explored. vii Baffin Region Physical Science Location Axel Heiberg Island Peter Adams Dr. Adams and his students are studying the characteristics of White Department of Geography Glacier and of Colour Lake, which is naturally acidic. The data they Trent University collect on the glacier may prove useful in the future as an indication of Box 4800 whether the climate is changing. Peterborough, Ontario K9J 7B8 Physical Science Location Coastline east of Gold Cove near lqaluit John T. Andrews Raoul Miller and Mark Adams, two students of Dr. Andrews, continued Department of Geological Sciences to investigate how sea level, climate, and vegetation have changed University of Colorado over the years. As in other years, took samples from the bottom of Box 250 lakes near Gold Cove and along the coastline. Boulder, Colorado, USA 80309 Social Science Location lqaluit Josephine Balloi Ms. Balloi circulated a questionnaire among students over the age of University of Ottawa 13 in lqaluit schools in order to learn more about various aspects of Department of Physical Education health. Apt #1 - 300 Cooper Street Ottawa, Ontario K2P OG7 Physical Science Location Axel Heiberg Island; Ellesmere Island James F. Basinger Dr. Basinger is continuing to investigate and collect the fossllized Dept. Geological Sciences trees that were found in the High Arctic. These can tell us a lot about University of Saskatchewan how both trees and climatehave changed over millions of years. Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7N OWO Physical Science Location Craig Lake area; Lake Hazen area (Ellesmere Island) Hector Beaudet Dr. Beaudet and two students have been investigating where the Department of Geography glaciers were long ago. They extracted sediment cores to see how University of Alberta the climate and vegetationdiffered between then and after the Edmonton, Alberta glaciers melted. T6G2H4 3 Physical Science Location northeastern Axel Heiberg Island Jan Bednarski Dr. Bednarski collected rock samples and mapped the locations of Department of Geography various landforms that were created by glaciers. He also looked at Trent University raised beaches, all in an effort to understand how the landscape was Peterborough, Ontario formed. K9J 7B8 Physical Science Location Fosheim Peninsula (Ellesmere Island) Trevor Bell Trevor Bell is a graduate student who has hiked Fosheim Peninsula Department of Geography collecting rock samples and mapping the locations of different kinds University of Alberta of rocks and landforms. He wants to know what the glaciers were like, Edmonton, Alberta how much of the current landscape was formed by glacial activity, and T6G2H4 how much of the land was submerged by the ocean after the ice melted. Social Science Location Sanikiluaq and Eskimo Harbour, Belcher Islands Margaret Bertulli With the help of school principal John Jamieson, some of his Prince of Wales Northern Heritage students, and some local people, Margaret Bertulli visited some Yellowknife, NWT known sites, and examined new ones.