Polar Continental Shelf Program SCIENCE REPORT Logistical support for leading-edge scientific research in Canada and its Arctic Polar Continental Shelf Program SCIENCE REPORT Logistical support for leading-edge scientific research in Canada and its Arctic Polar Continental Shelf Program Science Report 2018: Logistical support for leading-edge scientific research in Canada and its Arctic

Contact information Polar Continental Shelf Program Natural Resources Canada 2464 Sheffield Road Ottawa ON K1B 4E5 Canada Tel.: 613-998-8145 Email: [email protected] Website: pcsp.nrcan.gc.ca

Cover photographs: (Top) The field camp at the Cape Bounty Arctic Watershed Observatory on Melville Island, Nunavut. (Bottom} Taking a break on some 900 million-year-old sedimentary rocks in the Wernecke Mountains, Yukon, to make notes on a geological map. Section header image: Recording temperature data at the Dr. Neil Trivett Global Atmosphere Watch Observatory in Alert, Nunavut, as part of a permafrost monitoring program that has been ongoing since 1979.

Photograph contributors (alphabetically) Émilie Bouchard, University of Galen Halverson, McGill University: Cover Tom Platt, Natural Resources Canada: Saskatchewan: Contents page, page (bottom), pages 40, 41, 48 and 55 page 3 (bottom) pages 36 and 52 Jessica Kidd, LGL Limited - Environmental Emma Randle, Imperial College London: Martin Brazeau, Imperial College London: Research Associates: page 29 page 35 (bottom) pages 34, 35 (top), 45, 47 and 56 Scott Lamoureux, Queen’s University: Cover Kevin Rawlings: Section header Canadian Forces Combat Camera, page (top), pages 4, 5 and 26 Thomas Richter, University of Texas Department of National Defence: Tanya Lemieux, Natural Resources Canada: Institute for Geophysics: page 39 (right) pages 6 and 7 page 8 Anja Rutishauser, University of Alberta: Alison Criscitiello, University of Alberta: Tracey Loewen, Fisheries and Oceans pages 38 and 39 (left) page 44 (left) Canada: pages 28 and 61 Christian Schoof, University of British Florent Domine, Université Laval: Cara Longaker, Natural Resources Canada: Columbia: page 44 (top right) pages 30 and 31 page 2 (right) Jovan Simic, Parks Canada: page 15 Nina Finley, Watson Foundation: page 37 Jennifer Maguire, Natural Resources Rosie Smith, University of Waterloo: Marie-France Gévry, Sentinel North: Canada: pages 3 (top) and 5 (inset page 49 page 59 on right) Shirleen Smith © VGG Heritage: Sappho Gilbert, Yale School of Public Véronique Morin, Sentinel North: page 16 pages 11 and 13 Health: page 9 (inset) Peter Morse, Natural Resources Canada: Jessica Tomkins, Natural Resources Grant Gilchrist, Environment and Climate pages 23, 24 and 25 Canada: pages 2 (left) and 6 (top) Change Canada: page 18 Isla Myers-Smith, University of Edinburgh: Grant Zazula, Government of Yukon: Alain Grenier, Natural Resources Canada: page 44 (bottom right) pages 19, 51, 58 and 62 page 33 Jan Peter, Natural Resources Canada: pages 9 (top), 22, 42 and 43

For information regarding reproduction rights, contact Natural Resources Canada at [email protected].

Cat. No. M78-1/1 (Print) ISSN 1925-8623

Cat. No. M78-1/1E-PDF (Online) ISSN 1925-8631

© Her Majesty the Queen in Right of Canada, as represented by the Minister of Natural Resources, 2019 Contents

2 Polar Continental Shelf Program 6 2018: A year in review 10 Northern studies by northern residents: The essential roles of Northerners in Arctic science 20 Field sites supported by the Polar Continental Shelf Program (2018) 22 Science and training highlights from 2018 45 List of supported projects in 2018 by field location 62 Annex

A young Arctic fox at Karrak Lake, Nunavut Polar Continental Shelf Program

Since 1958, the Polar Continental Shelf Program In 2018, the PCSP celebrated 60 years of (PCSP) at Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) contributing to Arctic science conducted by has been providing safe, efficient and cost- researchers from across Canada and around effective logistics in support of field research the world. From its early years of conducting in Canada’s Arctic. The program contributes to major scientific studies through its transition in increased knowledge of the Canadian landmass the mid-1980s to focusing on providing expert and the exercise of sovereignty in Canada’s logistics for science, the PCSP has evolved into North. In recent years, the PCSP has extended a centre of excellence for scientific logistics. its logistics support for science to federal Whether working on a glacier, sea ice, tundra or government researchers working at locations an outcrop, researchers can rely on the following across Canada by providing field equipment. PCSP logistics services to help them conduct Given the difficulties of conducting fieldwork in their field studies: remote and often inhospitable locations, the Planning and coordination of chartered The Dr. Roy M. “Fritz” PCSP acts as an essential support that enables ••aircraft for transportation to and from Koerner Laboratory field research. The PCSP’s clients can focus on Canadian Arctic field sites and for provides modern planning their science and operations projects, conducting field studies laboratory space while leaving many details of logistics for their for PCSP clients staying at the PCSP fieldwork to the PCSP. Resolute facility.

The PCSP Ottawa office includes a warehouse with a wide variety of field equipment.

2 Polar Continental Shelf Program SCIENCE REPORT 2018 Accommodations, meals, and laboratory and work space at ••the PCSP facility in Resolute, Nunavut ••Provision of field equipment ••A communications and safety network for remote field camps ••Fuel for aircraft and field camps Logistics advice for field studies in Canada •• The PCSP’s Food The PCSP offers a cost-effective means for researchers to organize logistics for their field studies Services team in Canada, particularly in the North where the cost of research logistics is typically high. Logistics oversees the planning and aircraft coordination support from the PCSP enables researchers to reach field sites preparation of all that would otherwise be inaccessible. In addition, the PCSP offers opportunities for multiple field meals for clients and projects to share aircraft, when feasible, which reduces project costs. staff at the PCSP Resolute facility. The PCSP’s Resolute facility offers clients effective workspace, access to a modern laboratory and accommodations in a central location in the Canadian Arctic Archipelago. The PCSP’s inventory of field equipment offers a wide range of goods that supports fieldwork and is maintained annually. Through this model, researchers can reduce their field equipment costs by borrowing some or all of their required field equipment. The PCSP provides whole-of-government logistics support for science and training projects in a wide variety of scientific disciplines. These projects are conducted by universities; federal, territorial and provincial government departments and agencies; northern organizations; and international research groups. The science conducted by PCSP clients contributes to informed decision making on a range of issues. The issues include climate change impacts and adaptation, sustainable natural resource and infrastructure development, food security and public health, preservation of Indigenous traditional knowledge and cultural history, natural hazards and ecosystem monitoring, and conservation. Researchers may apply for logistics support for the subsequent field season through the PCSP website during a one-month logistics request submission period each fall.

Sunrise in March over Twin Otter aircraft at the PCSP Resolute facility

Polar Continental Shelf Program SCIENCE REPORT 2018 3 162 Highlights of the 936 Arctic science and Participants in all operations projects 2018 field season Arctic science and supported operations projects

July Month with the most $8.2 researchers staying at 3,778 million the Resolute facility Chartered aircraft hours Total value of aircraft flown (the equivalent hours flown 60 of over 5 months of Aircraft under contract non-stop flying)

The field camp at the Cape Bounty Arctic Watershed Observatory on Melville Island, Nunavut

Breakdown of PCSP-supported projects in 2018 70

Canadian universities 233 Northern organizations Federal Canadian Armed Forces Arctic Training Centre/ government 126 projects 15 Department of National Defence 4 6 9 International and independent groups 1 2 Canadian Arctic-Antarctic Exchange Program Traditional Knowledge Program Search and Rescue

4 Polar Continental Shelf Program SCIENCE REPORT 2018 39,961 Meals served at the PCSP Resolute facility 1,463 (the equivalent of three Field equipment meals a day for one transactions completed person for 36.5 years) by the PCSP Ottawa and 58 Federal projects using Resolute depots PCSP field equipment across Canada

26% 13,390 Percentage of Arctic Nights of accommodation projects that transited provided at the PCSP 550,763 kg through the PCSP Resolute facility (the Weight of equipment Resolute facility equivalent of nearly and fuel shipped by sea, 37 years’ worth of road and air (the equivalent 59% Percentage of all nights of sleep) in weight to 290 adult projects that required beluga whales) field equipment

PCSP-supported Did you know? projects in 2018 by field location*

ALBERTA 4 BRITISH 6 COLUMBIA MANITOBA 5 NEW BRUNSWICK 1 NEWFOUNDLAND 1 AND LABRADOR The PCSP communicates with remote field NORTHWEST camps in Canada’s North through twice daily, 49 TERRITORIES scheduled calls (known as “sked” calls) by using high-frequency radios and satellite NOVA SCOTIA 1 telephones. These calls provide a vital safety NUNAVUT 114 and communications network for clients. Through this network, the PCSP can ensure ONTARIO 15 that each field camp is safe, important messages can be relayed, and field teams QUEBEC 11 can share weather conditions to help plan *Projects with field locations SASKATCHEWAN 3 for aircraft dispatch. This service provides in more than one province field teams with a sense of security, knowing and/or territory were placed YUKON 22 that the PCSP is available to help if assistance in the location where most is required. INTERNATIONAL 1 of the project took place.

Polar Continental Shelf Program SCIENCE REPORT 2018 5 2018: A year in review

The Martin Bergmann Complex houses accommodations, a dining hall, lounges, workspaces and a gym at the PCSP Resolute facility.

January February PCSP staff arrived in mid-January to begin The Department of National Defence ••annual operations at the PCSP Resolute ••conducted military operations and related facility, and the first major delivery of training activities at the Canadian Armed supplies for the facility arrived by chartered Forces Arctic Training Centre hosted at the aircraft shortly afterwards. PCSP facility in Resolute, Nunavut.

6 Polar Continental Shelf Program SCIENCE REPORT 2018 March June The first PCSP-supported science projects On June 1, the PCSP participated in ••began field studies. These projects were ••the annual science fair at Qarmartalik focused on permafrost and hydrology School in Resolute. Students worked in research in the western Arctic. small groups to develop their projects for evaluation by science fair judges. This April event helped students to explore scientific The PCSP began supporting science topics of interest and gave them the ••projects from its facility in Resolute. opportunity to present the results of their The studies were focused on High work to judges and community members. Arctic glaciology. The PCSP supported this initiative by providing a healthy snack for participants The PCSP celebrated 60 years of being a and arranging for judges from the PCSP, ••key part of Canadian Arctic field science. the University of Texas and the W. Garfield Weston Foundation. May The PCSP Field Equipment Unit began July ••preparing for sealift by loading equipment The PCSP’s sealift freight that was bound for into sea containers for transport by sea to ••Resolute was transported to a cargo ship Resolute in the summer. The annual sealift in Valleyfield, Quebec, where it began its allows the program to ship large quantities journey north. of goods and items between Resolute and Ottawa, including field equipment, items for ••This month saw the most researchers facility operations and maintenance transiting through the PCSP Resolute facility and non-perishable food items. Field in 2018. equipment that needs to be serviced is returned to Ottawa.

Members of the Arctic Response Company Group set up tents near Resolute, Nunavut, in preparation for an overnight stay during Operation NUNALIVUT 2018, which received PCSP logistics planning and coordination support.

Polar Continental Shelf Program SCIENCE REPORT 2018 7 Snowmobiles are lined up to be loaded onto a BT-67 aircraft outside the PCSP Resolute facility. August The annual sealift arrived in Resolute. However, unloading was delayed because of ice conditions ••preventing the off-loading vessels from operating. Once these ice conditions improved a few days later, the items were unloaded and transferred to the PCSP facility and the community. The 2018 field season offered some difficult weather conditions in the High Arctic for ••transportation and fieldwork. Many aircraft were delayed heading to and from field camps because of cool, foggy and snowy conditions, which can create flying hazards.

September The last researchers staying at the PCSP Resolute facility left for their home institutions. Some ••PCSP-supported projects continued into the fall in other locations in Canada’s North. Attention turned to program delivery and field project planning for the 2019 field season. ••Beginning in late September, clients had a one-month period in which to submit their requests for logistics support for projects in the 2019 field season.

8 Polar Continental Shelf Program SCIENCE REPORT 2018 Did you know? Geologists collect samples from a rock outcrop in the Monster River area, Yukon. October The last PCSP-supported camps left the field, and the deadline arrived ••for clients applying to the PCSP for logistics support during the 2019 field season. The annual sealift delivery of items returning from Resolute arrived in ••Ottawa, bringing many pieces of equipment for servicing and repair. The PCSP’s parkas are keeping federal government scientists and November officials warm around the country All logistics requests submitted to the PCSP for the 2019 field season and the globe! In 2018, clients ••were reviewed internally as part of the annual project vetting process. used parkas from the PCSP’s field equipment inventory at sites including Alert, Cambridge Bay and December Iqaluit, Nunavut, in Canada as well Over the course of a two-day meeting, the members of the Project as in Russia and in Kazakhstan. ••Review Committee jointly reviewed all logistics requests to the PCSP from university applicants. The results informed the process to determine the level of in-kind support that was available to eligible projects for the 2019 field season.

Polar Continental Shelf Program SCIENCE REPORT 2018 9 Northern studies by northern residents: The essential roles of Northerners in Arctic science Northern Indigenous peoples have studied the world around them for thousands of years and passed down scientific and cultural The experts are the people knowledge to younger generations through oral themselves. I believe that research traditions. Their experiences on the land and “ should benefit the community, not waterways of the North have made them experts only contribute to academic agendas. on their regions. It doesn’t have to be a dichotomy. Northern communities and Indigenous – Shirleen Smith, organizations have unique research needs and Vuntut Gwitchin Government Heritage Branch priorities that they are addressing independently ” or through collaborations. Some projects are conducted by northern organizations to address community research needs, while others bring together northern and non-northern partners. research questions. Each year, the PCSP Some projects include northern scientists and supports many projects that involve northern field assistants as field team members. Through residents, including some that are part of the this involvement, northern residents are playing PCSP Traditional Knowledge Program. The PCSP significant roles in Canadian Arctic science. established this program in 1996 to support the preservation of the wealth of Indigenous Meaningful community involvement and traditional knowledge in Canada’s North. It engagement is a key component of northern offers field logistics support customized for research, enabling community members to research projects focused on the collection provide important input and advice, offer new and intergenerational transmission of perspectives and ideas, and raise community traditional knowledge.

10 Polar Continental Shelf Program SCIENCE REPORT 2018 The Van Tat Gwich’in Historic Lifeways Project and the benefits of community-driven research Mary Jane Moses, Shirleen Smith and Megan Williams (Vuntut Gwitchin Government Heritage Branch) Featured story location on the map: 1

The Van Tat Gwich’in of northern Yukon have a rich oral and cultural history that has been passed down through generations. This traditional knowledge is priceless because it documents events of the past, traditional ways of living and, ultimately, the history of a people. The Van Tat Gwich’in have long worked to maintain their way of life, culture and language. However, as their elders aged, the community Filming an interview found a growing need to record the elders’ The committee of elders provides guidance to between an elder and wealth of knowledge for future generations. a youth at Daadzall Van Heritage Manager Megan Williams, Heritage The elders wanted to impart their knowledge to (Summit Lake), Yukon Coordinator Mary Jane Moses and Research youth while out on the land and share Van Tat Coordinator and anthropologist Shirleen Smith Gwich’in culture with the world. To ensure the as they conduct each project and coordinate preservation and intergenerational transfer of the required fieldwork. The projects focus on Van Tat Gwich’in oral history, the Vuntut Gwitchin knowledge-sharing among community members First Nation (VGFN) of Old Crow, Yukon, began while out on the land at culturally significant a series of multi-year cultural heritage research locations. This work has brought together projects in 1999. community members and outside researchers of The Vuntut Gwitchin Government Heritage diverse backgrounds to document a traditional Branch has led five cultural heritage projects way of life that has changed rapidly in recent under the direction of the community’s Heritage decades, while also encouraging the continued Committee, which is composed of three elders. use of the Gwich’in language.

Polar Continental Shelf Program SCIENCE REPORT 2018 11 This logistics support has enabled opportunities It’s about a community coming for elders to impart their traditional knowledge together to compile the rich culture, to youth and for the Heritage Branch to record traditions and history of our people. this valuable information. “ It’s about us working together for the All knowledge and artifacts collected through benefit of the young people so they the projects are documented and archived take this information and go forward at the John Tizya Centre in Old Crow. This that much stronger by remembering facility was built in part in response to the and holding onto the words of our success of the research projects and the Gwich’in elders, ancestors and need for dedicated space for collections and today’s knowledge keepers who have Heritage Branch offices. At the end of each travelled on this great land, being in fieldwork project, Mary Jane Moses translates, tune with the land and animals for transcribes and archives the interviews and their survival and sustenance. images recorded. She finds her work keeps her rooted in her culture and helps her to retain her – Mary Jane Moses, abilities in the Gwich’in language. The Heritage Vuntut Gwitchin Government Heritage Branch Branch staff create a catalogue of information ” and photographs from each project for public display. They also produce maps showing project data across Van Tat Gwich’in lands. The first cultural heritage project focused on recording the oral history of elders who were A community presentation is also given at the the last generation to have spent most of end of each project to provide results and gain their adult lives on the land. The next project feedback. The collections are used to develop recorded place names and related geographical interpretive materials, books, educational information about key sites on Van Tat Gwich’in resources and films. Outside researchers may lands. Subsequent projects examined Gwich’in request permission from the Heritage Committee cultural technology for survival, travel routes to use the collections and are welcome to and navigation techniques. Through the current provide data and images from their studies for Historic Lifeways Project, the community is the collections. working with a new generation of elders to In 2009, the VGFN and Shirleen Smith published capture detailed knowledge about Van Tat a book, People of the Lakes: Stories of our Gwich’in lands, history and culture. This project Van Tat Gwich’in Elders, which synthesized key is also bringing together past knowledge with components of the oral history collected over present-day observations of environmental 10 years of research. The book won multiple changes caused by climate change and modern awards, allowed results to reach a broader land use. audience and was a model of what could be Fieldwork for these projects received PCSP achieved through community-driven research. logistics support through the PCSP Traditional The cultural heritage projects have built a local, Knowledge Program. Over many field seasons, experienced research team, enhanced the helicopters coordinated by the PCSP have been cultural knowledge base of the community’s used to transport members of the Old Crow youth, and promoted Van Tat Gwich’in culture community to and from field camps and places and history. Community members have received of cultural importance on Van Tat Gwich’in lands. training in videography and interviewing techniques and, through its youth mentoring program, the Heritage Branch has fostered

12 Polar Continental Shelf Program SCIENCE REPORT 2018 youth participation in research and training. The processes followed for the cultural heritage projects have been replicated for other community research projects and have built local capacity for reviewing proposed studies in the Old Crow area. The community has constructed a laboratory for use by local and visiting researchers, with the aim of keeping more of the research process in the community. As Shirleen Smith has observed, “The VGFN’s attitude toward other researchers – collegial, collaborative and helpful – has meant Old Crow has always been a welcoming and stimulating research environment.” As Megan Williams noted, the community looks to support research that is mutually and equally beneficial. While visiting scientists benefit from the data collected and subsequent publications developed from their research in the Old Crow area, the community benefits from working with Examining an antler them to design research projects, gain technical The community-driven research of the VGFN is fragment at a caribou fence (traditional skills for field research and obtain relevant data a shining example of Northerners and visiting enclosure used to that can support local decision making. researchers working together toward common, harvest caribou) community-defined goals. Those goals are to meet their research needs, inspire and train youth, and generate a valuable collection of The Canadian Arctic is currently one knowledge that strengthens and nurtures Van Tat of the strongest and, at the same Gwich’in cultural identity. Many elders who were time, most vulnerable places on Earth. part of the early projects have now passed but “ their legacies live on through the knowledge they Relevant community-based research shared, which is available to all who would like has never been more important than to learn from their wisdom. As Mary Jane Moses now. Research projects have to be observes, “Those stories of the past are our directed and led by communities stepping stones to the future.” as local people have the best understanding of their needs, their history and their land to ensure that research projects are relevant, Want to learn more? practical and build on work that has Read about the John Tizya Centre in Old Crow, already been done. Yukon, through the Parks Canada website: www.pc.gc.ca/en/pn-np/yt/vuntut/visit/ – Megan Williams, serv/tizya. Vuntut Gwitchin Government” Heritage Branch

Polar Continental Shelf Program SCIENCE REPORT 2018 13 Local field assistants provide key support for northern studies Featured story location on the map: 2

Field assistants from northern communities bird colonies, university studies on multi-year can provide valuable support to field studies sea ice, and a bird monitoring project in the for northern and visiting researchers. Beyond Mackenzie Delta. employment opportunities, these experiences For the bird studies, Amarualik was employed also foster knowledge sharing, skills training and through the Inuit Field Research Assistant research mentoring. Some field assistants are Program. This program was created in 2008 hired directly by project leaders while others are under the Inuit Impact and Benefit Agreement employed through programs designed for hiring for National Wildlife Areas and Migratory Bird local residents for fieldwork assistance. Sanctuaries in the Nunavut Settlement Area. Valerie Amarualik, a resident of Resolute, The agreement was signed by ECCC, Nunavut Nunavut, has been a field assistant for several Tunngavik Incorporated and the Qikiqtani, research projects, and through this work she Kitikmeot and Kivalliq Inuit associations. has supported scientific studies in a range of Through this ongoing program, Inuit from disciplines and locations. Coming from a family communities across Nunavut have opportunities that is heavily involved in Arctic science, she to support ECCC field studies on northern grew up seeing her family members working bird species. with visiting researchers. When an opportunity Jennie Rausch, a shorebird biologist at ECCC’s came in 2008 to be a field assistant for a Canadian Wildlife Service, has worked with PCSP-supported hydrology study on Bathurst Amarualik and several other northern residents Island, Amarualik began her career in Arctic during field studies. Rausch’s work is part of science. After this experience, Amarualik was the Arctic Shorebird Monitoring Program, which eager to head into the field again and assisted has prioritized the hiring of local youth as field several other PCSP-supported research projects. assistants to encourage community capacity- These included Environment and Climate building. Since 2000, Rausch’s field teams Change Canada (ECCC) studies of High Arctic

14 Polar Continental Shelf Program SCIENCE REPORT 2018 Having local people, whether as a guide, assistant, scientist, coordinator “ or project leader, is very beneficial. The researcher benefits from the locals’ knowledge, assistance and experience. The locals benefit from the knowledge, experience and scientific results. – Valerie Amarualik, Parks Canada ”

the value of having female mentors in science within her school and community. These mentors helped to shape her educational and career paths. Now as a northern scientist, Rausch recognizes the importance of mentoring and encouraging young northern women to learn more about Arctic science and consider a career in the field. Her annual field projects provide opportunities for Rausch to mentor youth and support their skills development. Amarualik benefitted beyond the field training and mentoring she received through her field assistant experiences. She found that the experiences gave her an enhanced understanding of the science happening in Valerie Amarualik working in Qausuittuq National the North, the importance of this work and Park, Nunavut the dedication of the people conducting it. Amarualik’s involvement in field research led her have included 33 high school and post- to find new opportunities, including her current secondary students from communities in the position in resource conservation with Parks Northwest Territories and Nunavut, including Canada. Her work focuses on supporting science many hired through the Inuit Field Research initiatives and operations in one of Canada’s Assistant Program. newest protected areas, Qausuittuq National These field assistants have had the opportunity Park, located on northern Bathurst Island and to build their scientific and field skill sets its adjacent islands. Amarualik’s previous through bird surveys, nest monitoring, data involvement with research on Bathurst Island recording and camp responsibilities. Rausch and at other Arctic locations prepared her for also sees employing local field assistants as an her current role working to protect key wildlife opportunity for mentoring northern youth who habitats and archaeological sites on lands close are interested in science. She has spent her to home. life in the North and learned from a young age

Polar Continental Shelf Program SCIENCE REPORT 2018 15 Northern perspectives bring complex issues to life during an international field school Featured story location on the map: 3

International field schools provide unique opportunities for students to learn about different areas of science and to gain practical fieldwork experience while working with fellow students and leading experts from a range of backgrounds and nationalities. Interacting with others who have diverse perspectives can International Arctic Field School students examine foster better understanding among early-career snow layers in a snow pit near Iqaluit, Nunavut. scientists and help them to evaluate how they approach their research. Sentinel North is a program based at Université Laval that supports in 7 countries, and 11 students from the collaborative, interdisciplinary research focussed Environmental Technology Program (ETP) at on environmental change, human health and Nunavut Arctic College. They came together the use of new technologies in Canada’s North. for a week to learn about the changing Arctic It provides training opportunities for graduate cryosphere and its impacts on people and the students to study in northern environments and environment through lectures, case studies learn about effective community engagement, and field excursions. High-quality outerwear networking and collaboration. from the PCSP’s field equipment inventory kept participants warm and enabled them to In March 2018, the first Sentinel North participate fully. International Arctic Field School (IAFS) was held in Iqaluit, Nunavut. The participants The IAFS was developed in conjuction with included university professors and local experts, Nunavut Arctic College’s Nunavut Innovation and 19 graduate students from 17 universities Research Institute to create a comprehensive program that incorporated northern perspectives in the academic curriculum. Inuit Traditional

16 Polar Continental Shelf Program SCIENCE REPORT 2018 Knowledge and culture and the realities of life in the North were integrated into presentations, discussions and activities throughout the IAFS. Our students were able to share first- For example, ecology presentations included hand knowledge and experiences of the nutritional and cultural value of country their changing environment and land foods, while sea ice activities incorporated “ and how these changes are already discussions of the importance of sea ice to Inuit impacting their lives, especially some cultural identity. of the traditional aspects of their lives Marie-France Gévry is the Training Programs such as travelling safely on the land Coordinator for Sentinel North. She observed and hunting. They were also able to that the northern students made the complex express the importance of hunting issues facing the Arctic more concrete for the and other traditional activities to the visiting students by sharing their knowledge health and survival of their culture. and experiences. This sentiment was also noted by Sappho Gilbert, a doctoral student at – Jason Carpenter, Yale School of Public Health who is studying Nunavut Arctic College food security, nutrition and chronic disease in ” Nunavut. She found that the northern students and mentors provided a personal context for She found that her experiences with northern many topics discussed, which enriched the students during IAFS helped her to develop a program and fostered communication among multidisciplinary approach for her research in all participants. She made many valuable Nunavut. She appreciated the opportunity to northern contacts during the field school for work with northern students who were highly her community-based research and will be knowledgeable of the land and participate in able to apply the knowledge she gained to her activities such as building an igloo and eating interdisciplinary studies. country foods. These learning opportunities Jason Carpenter is a senior ETP instructor at improved her understanding and appreciation Nunavut Arctic College and a mentor for the field of northern culture and will benefit her school. He saw that the visiting students were continued research. keen to ask questions and learn more about As Carpenter noted, the field school provided life in the North. The northern students had the visiting and northern students an important opportunity to share their firsthand experiences opportunity to build relationships, while also about climate change impacts on their daily lives helping to demystify some of the research and their knowledge of northern science from happening in the North for the ETP students. The their experiences working on research projects IAFS demonstrated how people from different during their ETP training. Inuit participants were backgrounds can bring their diverse knowledge also able to impart the cultural importance and skill sets together to achieve higher goals, of many aspects of life in the North through while broadening participant’s perspectives. discussions, field excursions and events such as Sentinel North continues to offer field school a Qulliq (traditional oil lamp) lighting ceremony, opportunities, which will enable further dialogue throat singing and traditional Inuit games. among northern early-career scientists and Yukari Hori is a post-doctoral fellow at the those who live outside the Arctic and will University of Toronto Scarborough who is enhance collaboration and understanding in studying the impacts of climate change on conducting Arctic research. northern environments and communities.

Polar Continental Shelf Program SCIENCE REPORT 2018 17 The Inuit Field Training Program: a community-driven, skills development initiative Grant Gilchrist, Bronwyn Harkness, Bonnie Taparti and Paul Smith (Environment and Climate Change Canada) Featured story location on the map: 4

Inuit Field Training Program participants record The Inuit Field Training Program (IFTP) was location data while training in environmental monitoring field methods. launched in 2018 through a partnership between the community of Coral Harbour, Nunavut, and ECCC. ECCC and the community of Coral Harbour Building on their long-standing relationship with collaborated to identify community needs for the community, Gilchrist and Smith worked with the program, decide how it would be managed, the community to create a training program and determine how best to integrate it into that would provide hands-on field experience ongoing, nearby research. ECCC biologists Grant for Inuit youth, including living and working in a Gilchrist and Paul Smith initiated the program remote field camp. A community-based steering after hearing residents of Coral Harbour express committee was created to oversee the program the need for formalized training in field research and work with ECCC to deliver it. The steering for Inuit youth during community consultations committee played a lead role in selecting the Participants observe birds at East Bay, for their long-term bird studies at nearby East participants for the program. This program Southampton Island, Bay. The community wanted opportunities for model ensures that the IFTP is directed by local Nunavut. their youth, who were eager to work, learn and residents and is relevant to the community. become skilled field assistants. The program fosters opportunities for ECCC scientists to engage with Inuit youth about northern research, builds participants’ field skill sets and makes them aware of training and career opportunities in Arctic science. In August 2018, a group of youth from Coral Harbour flew to the ECCC field station at East Bay, Nunavut, for the first IFTP 10-day field camp. program participants and field program leaders that the program will continue in 2019. There The Inuit Field Training Program is are plans to broaden the scope of the IFTP and an innovative and focused approach offer opportunities at additional ECCC field to address a real need – helping stations, with the potential to partner with other “ federal government departments that conduct Inuit youth succeed in making the transition from secondary school to northern research. As Gilchrist noted, having a community-based steering committee is key to further opportunities. In the long the success of the program, which is supporting term, this initiative could make youth training and employment in the short term a meaningful contribution to the and educational and career development in the Government of Canada’s objective long term. of meaningful inclusion of Inuit in environmental research and monitoring in the North. Discovery! – Paul Smith, Environment and Climate Change” Canada

Participants learned about environmental monitoring techniques; skills for living and working in field camps; and educational and employment opportunities in environmental science fields. The field program leaders included a team of ECCC scientists and Inuit mentors, including a local elder who shared Inuit traditional knowledge with the participants. During the camp, the field team leaders noted which participants expressed interest in working Fossil of a fang from a scimitar cat with ECCC in the future as field assistants for northern projects, in pursuing post-secondary In July 2018, Grant Zazula (Government of Yukon) and his field team studies, or in a career in the environmental discovered a wealth of fossils from Pleistocene (last ice age) creatures in sciences. The leaders then offered guidance and riverbank sediments along the Old Crow and Porcupine Rivers in northern directed them to resources to help them pursue Yukon. The biggest finds included a fang from a scimitar cat (a relative of their interests. the sabre-toothed cat) and teeth from a species of beaver that grew to 2 metres in length. Modern beavers are only about half that size. The PCSP coordinated chartered aircraft for the IFTP Two filmmakers accompanied the field team to develop a documentary film program, which included transporting participants that will be used for outreach purposes. This PCSP-supported project is a and field team leaders to and from camp at collaborative initiative of the Government of Yukon, the Vuntut Gwitchin First East Bay. In addition, Polar Knowledge Canada Nation Government and the University of Alberta. The project’s goal is to established cabins at the field station that will examine the evolutionary biology of ice age animals in the area, as well as extinctions and environmental change during the Pleistocene. A community continue to be used by future IFTP participants. workshop is planned in Old Crow, Yukon, to allow residents to examine and The first year of the IFTP was considered such identify the fossils before they are added to the fossil archive at the Old Crow Arctic Research Facility. a great success by the steering committee,

Polar Continental Shelf Program SCIENCE REPORT 2018 19 Field sites supported by the Polar Continental Shelf Program (2018)

Science and training highlights from 2018

In 2018, the PCSP provided logistics support The following section lists a sample of the for 233 projects, including 162 science and PCSP-supported research projects from operations projects in the Canadian Arctic. Many 2018 and their important findings, which are of these projects involved students conducting informing decision making on climate change, their own research, participating in field schools northern infrastructure stability, geoscience and or working as field assistants. Through these sustainable development of natural resources, experiences they received important training environmental integrity, the evolution of life in opportunities to develop their expertise as the Canada’s North, and emergency preparedness. next generation of researchers.

Researchers head to sampling sites in the Nick Prospect area, Yukon.

22 Polar Continental Shelf Program SCIENCE REPORT 2018 Origins and implications of ice-rich permafrost, western Canadian Arctic Peter Morse, Natural Resources Canada Featured story location on the map: 5

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Permafrost underlies most of Canada’s North. This defining feature of the Arctic is experiencing accelerated thawing because of warming air temperatures in the region, which is resulting in ground surface changes that can destabilize overlying infrastructure. Northern infrastructure development, such as road construction, can also impact permafrost by disturbing the exchange of heat between the ground and the atmosphere, causing ground ice to thaw. Determining the distribution of ice-rich permafrost in an area and its formation Scientists examine a processes are of particular importance because natural (undisturbed) and disturbed areas of ground ice exposure and ice-rich permafrost thaw will cause the ground slump deposits from ice-rich permafrost. They examined an area to subside, which can destabilize soil and cause thawing permafrost. between Inuvik and Tuktoyaktuk, Northwest slumping. Thus, improving our understanding Territories, where a highway connecting the of ongoing landscape responses to climate two communities was recently built. The change and disturbance caused by human research team is assessing the area’s ground activity will inform risk-management decisions ice conditions to compare natural landscapes about natural resource and road developments with those that have been affected by highway and lead to improved sustainability of construction. Their work also involves developing northern infrastructure. new surficial geology maps and maps of Peter Morse and his collaborators from landscape features that indicate ice-rich the Geological Surveys of Canada and the permafrost areas. Northwest Territories, have been studying

Polar Continental Shelf Program SCIENCE REPORT 2018 23 In future field seasons, Morse and his team This research will enable better plan to conduct detailed studies at key sites predictions of how the landscape identified in 2018 to continue to document and will change as permafrost thaws and monitor permafrost thaw and corresponding “ landscape changes. Understanding the how these changes may be expected varied responses of permafrost to thaw and to impact the environment of the disturbance by human activity will improve the Inuvialuit Settlement Region. ability of researchers to forecast landscape – Peter Morse, changes in the area and their potential effects Natural Resources Canada on existing infrastructure. These findings will ” support risk mitigation and climate change adaptation strategies for future developments in the region. In 2018, Morse’s team took aerial photographs of the study area, visited several sites to examine ground ice exposed at the surface and Want to learn more? drilled boreholes to collect permafrost cores. The aerial photographs will be used to test the accuracy of surficial geology mapping and to compare with future aerial photographs that will be taken to examine landscape changes over time. The team is also monitoring permafrost conditions and rates of thaw by collecting temperature data from instruments placed in the boreholes. Morse’s team will use the permafrost cores to examine permafrost structure and the origin and development of the area’s permafrost since the last ice age. Through this work, they will identify how different types of ground ice are responding to warming temperatures and how infrastructure development is influencing these responses. This project has involved several graduate students and a post-doctoral researcher who are conducting related research. Morse and A geologist examines ground ice structure in his team used helicopters coordinated by a permafrost exposure. the PCSP to access key study sites and take aerial photographs. In addition, the team used Listen to an interview with Peter Morse PCSP field equipment to support field safety, on an NRCan Simply Science podcast, communications, and camp and coring activities. available here: www.nrcan.gc.ca/simply- science/20376. Watch a video about this research here: https://app.frame. io/reviews/b9d70967-2383-43f4-8f3a- d150377bc11b/586423ba-a16b- 4521-82ef-0e1e15ef5ef4.

24 Polar Continental Shelf Program SCIENCE REPORT 2018 Researchers examine ice-rich permafrost exposed at the surface and erosion caused by permafrost thaw.

Polar Continental Shelf Program SCIENCE REPORT 2018 25 Cape Bounty Arctic Watershed Observatory: Long-term integrative and collaborative research in the High Arctic Scott Lamoureux (Queen’s University) Featured story locations on the map: 6

Students survey a slope failure.

Understanding environmental change, especially CBAWO is comprised of two adjacent watersheds climate and related permafrost change, are (a river system’s drainage area) that are similar critical research gaps in the Arctic. Learning in size and setting. The design has allowed about the impacts of these changes on natural scientists a rare opportunity to conduct paired systems is necessary for predicting future watershed experiments in which the same studies environmental change and supporting decision are conducted in each watershed to investigate making on issues such as land use, water different responses of similar systems. Over security and environmental management. the past 16 years, researchers at CBAWO have To support this research, Scott Lamoureux examined the impacts of climate and permafrost established the Cape Bounty Arctic Watershed change on surface water, erosion, water quality, Observatory (CBAWO) in 2003 on southern soil processes, gas fluxes, vegetation and lake Sediment is transported Melville Island, Nunavut, to carry out integrated, processes. Studies at CBAWO have taken place downriver toward West multi-disciplinary research linking climate, water, through the coldest and warmest melt seasons Lake, Melville Island, land and ecosystem science. Nunavut.

East Lake and its surrounding drainage basin form part of the Cape Bounty Watershed on Melville Island, Nunavut.

26 Polar Continental Shelf Program SCIENCE REPORT 2018 on record for the region, which has allowed the researchers to observe environmental responses to a full range of melt season conditions. This facility, supported by PCSP logistics, has supported 115 university, The research has captured the short- and long- government and community researchers term effects of a major landscape disturbance “ in 2007 and 2008. In those years, high melt and represents the only comprehensive season temperatures caused permafrost thaw hydrological research program in the and the development of over 100 slope failures, Canadian High Arctic. including one that was 600 metres long. – Scott Lamoureux, These permafrost disturbances caused major Queen’s University changes to water quality on slopes and in the ” downstream rivers and lakes. The CBAWO studies have created the first multi-year data sets of the the strength of an integrative team approach fluxes of water, sediment and dissolved material to research that draws on expertise from (including nutrients and contaminants such many partners, including northern community as mercury) from High Arctic rivers and lakes. members. Future CBAWO research will focus The data sets have enabled the scientists to on soil processes, soil-water interactions and model these systems and predict how they may contaminants in Arctic ecosystems, as well as on respond to future environmental change. prediction of permafrost disturbances and their Without logistics support from the PCSP, long- impacts on water quality. term field studies, such as those ongoing at A key to the success of the long-term CBAWO, would not be feasible in the Canadian research conducted at CBAWO is the ongoing Arctic. Over the years, the PCSP has supported partnerships that have grown over the years with research at CBAWO through the coordination of researchers from ECCC, universities and the chartered Twin Otter aircraft and helicopters to Hamlet of Resolute. The research team recently transport field team members and equipment, initiated a watershed study on the McMaster accommodations at the PCSP Resolute facility, River near Resolute to apply knowledge gained field equipment loans, and fuel for camp needs. at CBAWO to a new setting. They are building A recent multi-disciplinary study at CBAWO, led a partnership with the community with the aim by former graduate student Kaitlyn Roberts, of supporting community research priorities combined a decade of water chemistry data regarding water security. CBAWO has diversified from Cape Bounty’s two lakes with permafrost its science by involving researchers with different chemistry data. The data indicated that both scientific expertise. CBAWO continues to foster lakes showed a rapid build up of dissolved integrated and multi-disciplinary studies that are material from 2008 to 2013 when deep building a comprehensive, long-term knowledge permafrost thawing resulted in large sediment base for northern watersheds in a rapidly inputs to local river systems. By examining Arctic changing Arctic environment. char otoliths (ear bones), the research team found that fish health in the lakes improved because of changes in water chemistry, nutrient Want to learn more? inputs and ice conditions during this period. To learn more about the long-term research at This research revealed how rapidly Arctic Cape Bounty, visit the research team’s watersheds and lakes can respond to permafrost website (https://capebountyresearch.com) changes and how the impacts can be measured and follow them on Facebook (https://www. facebook.com/CBAWO/). in aquatic ecosystems. It also demonstrates

Polar Continental Shelf Program SCIENCE REPORT 2018 27 Diversity, habitats and conservation of chars in Coronation Gulf Tracey Loewen (Fisheries and Oceans Canada) and Heidi Swanson (University of Waterloo) Featured story location on the map: 7

Many northern communities and fisheries depend on char as a key food source. Traditionally, the range of Dolly Varden char was A student tags a char with an acoustic transmitter understood to be limited to rivers west of the near Kugluktuk, Nunavut. Mackenzie River, while its close relative, Arctic char, was thought to live in water bodies to the east. Recent evidence suggests, however, that char in this area is important. This information Dolly Varden char may coexist with Arctic char in is needed to ensure that effective conservation large river systems in the Coronation Gulf region strategies and management practices are of Nunavut. developed for their populations and to support the sustainability of local subsistence fisheries. In 2010, Dolly Varden char in the western Arctic was assessed as a species of special Tracey Loewen, Heidi Swanson and their research concern by the Committee on the Status of team are studying char populations in river Endangered Wildlife in Canada. It is now listed systems in the area of Kugluktuk, Nunavut, to under Canada’s Species at Risk Act and a confirm if Dolly Varden char are present and collaborative integrated fisheries management examine how they share habitat with Arctic char. plan has been developed. However, this plan This project focusses on fish populations that does not cover Dolly Varden char that may exist are anadromous, which means they spend the in Nunavut, which makes them particularly summer in coastal waters and migrate upstream vulnerable to possible impacts from planned into freshwater habitats to spawn and overwinter. resource developments, fishing activity and If Dolly Varden char and Arctic char are sharing ongoing climate change. Confirming the range, habitat, it is possible that a hybrid of these species diversity and habitat use of Dolly Varden two species may also exist in the area’s rivers. Through the work of graduate student Rosie Smith, the team is also examining how changes

28 Polar Continental Shelf Program SCIENCE REPORT 2018 The field crew downloads data and prepares to redeploy equipment to track the movement of char in the Coppermine River, Nunavut.

in river flow caused by climate change and the importance of this waterway for the fish. isostatic rebound (the upward movement of land This river is also vital for subsistence fisheries, since the last ice age) are affecting the ability therefore understanding the diversity of char of char to migrate between their saltwater and species in the river and their habitat use will freshwater habitats. contribute to maintaining a sustainable fishery for local residents. This research is conducted in close collaboration with the Kugluktuk Hunters and Trappers Organization, whose members have shared their knowledge to help direct project activities Understanding char diversity and how to align with community research needs. particular areas and habitats are used Community members have also been involved in is crucial in starting to develop effective all fieldwork activities and have been integral to “ conservation strategies and sustainable the project’s success. stewardship plans. Fieldwork in 2018 included tagging char by – Tracey Loewen, attaching acoustic (sound wave) transmitters Fisheries and Oceans Canada to them, installing equipment to track fish ” movements and collecting water samples from the Coppermine, Kugaryuak, Tree and Richardson This ongoing project will include more fish rivers. PCSP-chartered helicopters made this tagging and tracking to collect more information work possible by enabling the field team to on how char use rivers in the Kugluktuk area. reach multiple study sites along the rivers with Through this study, the research team aims to their required equipment. improve understanding of species diversity, The Kugluktuk Hunters and Trappers Organization fish migration patterns, and habitat use in the also ran a community-based donation program Coronation Gulf region, as well as behavioural that collected 190 otolith (fish ear bone) and differences among char species. By identifying tissue samples from fish that were harvested critical habitats for local char, the team will by residents. These samples are being used determine priority areas for future species to determine fish age, migration history and management and conservation efforts. species. Results to date show that all tracked char use habitat in the Coppermine River during August and September, which demonstrates

Polar Continental Shelf Program SCIENCE REPORT 2018 29 How soil type determines snowpack insulating properties Florent Domine (Université Laval) Featured story locations on the map: 8

Snow cover plays an important role in the global climate system. During the 8 to 10 months per year that snow is present in most Arctic locations, it helps to keep the temperature A typical depth hoar crystal formed in low-density balance between the ground and the snow (the white scale bar is 1 mm long). atmosphere by reflecting solar energy. The snow keeps the surface cool and shelters permafrost, Florent Domine and his research team are vegetation and small burrowing animals from examining the formation, structure and harsh atmospheric conditions. distribution of depth hoar on Bylot Island and The ability of the snowpack (the combined layers Ward Hunt Island, Nunavut, to investigate of snow and ice on the ground at any one time) its development in different environmental to insulate is based on its structure, which is conditions. Using snow pits, the research team influenced by several processes. In the Arctic, observes snow layers and performs physical depth hoar (large, unconsolidated ice crystals measurements of snow density, thermal that form at the bottom layer of the snowpack) conductivity (a measurement of how well provides most of the snowpack’s insulating ability. heat passes through a material) and snow It forms primarily through water vapour transfer grain size at each study location. They also from the base to the top of the snowpack and use data recorded year-round by weather and can be as effective at insulating as goose down. soil moisture monitoring equipment, as well Understanding the conditions needed to form as time-lapse imagery to observe snowpack depth hoar and the impacts of climate change on development. Based on fieldwork in 2016 and its formation will provide insight into its influences monitoring data from 2016 and 2017, the on permafrost temperatures, vegetation growth research team has found that soil type and wind and wildlife population dynamics. speed have major impacts on the formation of depth hoar in the Canadian Arctic.

30 Polar Continental Shelf Program SCIENCE REPORT 2018 The PCSP supported this research by with moist soils on Bylot Island take over two coordinating aircraft to transport the research months to freeze completely. The results suggest team and their equipment to and from their that when the ground freezes quickly, a strong remote field sites including Ward Hunt Island, temperature gradient does not form between which is one of the most remote places on the soil and the atmosphere. Also, the transfer Earth. With the PCSP’s assistance, clients can of water vapour is limited at the base of the reach study locations that would otherwise be snowpack, which prevents depth hoar formation. highly difficult to access but are important for In addition, persistently high winds at Ward their research. Hunt Island in autumn were observed to form a wind slab (a hardened snow layer), which also inhibited water vapour transfer within the snow. Large uncertainties in the future Based on these results, the research team magnitude of climate change stem proposes that warmer temperatures would from poorly known or undiscovered enhance soil moisture, water vapour transfer “ and depth hoar formation in Arctic snowpacks, feedbacks. Because snow properties are highly sensitive to climate and which would increase ground insulation and vegetation, snow is expected to be permafrost temperatures. This situation would responsible for many climate feedbacks result in greenhouse gases that are held within the permafrost being released and that have yet to be incorporated in contributing to more climate warming. Enhanced global climate models. vegetation growth expected throughout the – Florent Domine, Arctic under warming conditions could also Université Laval amplify this process by increasing litter buildup. ” Consequently, the soil’s ability to retain water increases, resulting in enhanced depth hoar After observing well-developed depth hoar in formation and permafrost warming. In future the snowpack of Bylot Island, the research team field seasons, the team will investigate this was surprised to find none on Ward Hunt Island. hypothesis further to better understand the In the polar desert environment of Ward Hunt long-term implications of climate change on Island, the soil takes only three days to freeze in the Arctic snowpack and the potential for The wall of a snow pit shows an upper hard autumn because of its dryness. In contrast, areas accelerated warming in Canada’s North. wind slab overlying a layer of depth hoar.

Polar Continental Shelf Program SCIENCE REPORT 2018 31 Assessing landslide potential in support of public safety and emergency preparedness Andrée Blais-Stevens (Natural Resources Canada) Featured story location on the map: 9

Landslides can present significant risks to people and infrastructure. These natural The ultimate reason for this type of hazards include rock, soil or debris that moves work is to try to keep Canadians safe downslope after becoming unstable, forming from landslide hazard and risk. We rockslides, debris flows, slumps or other types “ provide baseline geoscience information of landslides. Although gravity is the main force that causes landslides, many other factors may on landslides to inform stakeholders contribute, including earthquakes, heavy rainfall, and decision makers. erosion and human disturbance. Slope failure is – Andrée Blais-Stevens, also influenced by the type of rock or sediment Natural Resources Canada involved, which makes understanding the ” surficial geology of areas vulnerable to landslides particularly important. Determining areas that examining mass movement paths and collecting are at high risk for landslides is essential for rock and sediment samples from landslide mitigating risks to people and infrastructure deposits to determine their ages, structures and and reducing the economic and environmental the types of rock and sediment involved. This impacts that these mass movements can cause. information can indicate what caused a landslide Andrée Blais-Stevens and her colleagues at the and how it moved downslope. It is used to Geological Survey of Canada examine landslide develop landslide susceptibility maps, which show potential in populated areas of British Columbia the risk potential of different areas to landslides. by conducting landslide assessments. These This research is conducted as part of the Public studies involve compiling an inventory of existing Safety Geoscience Program, which develops landslide deposits by using satellite imagery geoscience knowledge to support land-use and aerial photographs. This work is followed by planning and reduce risk from natural hazards, including landslides, earthquakes and tsunamis.

32 Polar Continental Shelf Program SCIENCE REPORT 2018 Analyzing a sediment core from a landslide The PCSP has supported field studies for this she is able to use this information to focus deposit to determine research with field equipment loans, including monitoring efforts on slopes that are vulnerable when the landslide camera equipment, wet-weather clothing and to instability. Recently, Blais-Stevens and her occurred along the Soo insect repellent. The PCSP offers field equipment colleagues also created an historical map of River, British Columbia services for federal government research all landslides in Canada that were documented across Canada, including areas outside of the to have caused fatalities since 1771. This Canadian Arctic. research indicated that landslides have caused at least 767 deaths in Canada during the past Blais-Stevens and a colleague are part of an 250 years, predominantly in British Columbia ongoing project examining landslide potential and Quebec. in areas near the Sea to Sky Highway, in British Columbia. In 2018, they used a drone to Blais-Stevens’s work often involves presenting examine the structure of a large rock avalanche information to public safety groups and along the Soo River, north of Whistler. They also communities in British Columbia that are collected samples from a nearby landslide concerned about local landslide hazards. deposit that had blocked a river to determine its The results of her work help municipalities age, structure and relationship to neighbouring to understand their risks and make informed large landslides. They will use this information decisions about infrastructure development, to examine triggers for the landslides as part of while also supporting emergency preparedness their landslide assessment for the area. organizations to plan for and respond to landslide events. Geoscience knowledge Blais-Stevens is also working with colleagues developed from landslide assessments informs at the Canada Centre for Mapping and Earth governments at all levels about possible Observation at NRCan to monitor steep slopes hazards, contributes to building codes and on mountains east of Kitimat, British Columbia, environmental assessments and reduces the risk by using satellite imagery to detect slope of loss of life and infrastructure damage caused changes. Having completed surficial geology by slope failures. mapping and a landslide inventory for this area,

Polar Continental Shelf Program SCIENCE REPORT 2018 33 The origin, diversity and environments of the earliest jawed fishes Martin Brazeau (Imperial College London, United Kingdom) Featured story location on the map: 10

Vertebrates (animals with backbones) emerged as creatures resembling fish early in the Paleozoic A jawless fish head plate from a late Silurian tidal flat deposit on Cornwallis Island, Nunavut (The scale is Era (about 540 to 450 million years ago) and in millimetres). subsequently diversified into many species. One important feature that developed in early fish was the jaw. Jawed fishes came to dominate the In 2018, Brazeau’s team sampled limestone world’s oceans during the late Silurian and early from rock formations on eastern Cornwallis Devonian periods (about 440 to 393 million years Island, Nunavut, which were deposited in an ago), which is believed to have led to a collapse ancient marine continental shelf environment in jawless fish diversity. When jawed fishes about 420 million years ago. By sampling evolved into two main lineages in the early through rock sequences across the ancient Devonian period, the long progression began continental shelf, the research team could toward the development of 99% of all examine changes in the fossil assemblage in modern-day vertebrates, including humans. the rocks over time and from different marine environments. It is unclear why jawed fishes developed when they did and what processes influenced their rise The field team included graduate students to dominate over jawless fishes. Martin Brazeau and two local residents who were guides for and his research team are examining the early the fieldwork. Local involvement in the field history of vertebrates during a key period in the activities created a valuable opportunity for development of life on Earth. They are investigating mutual knowledge-sharing about the land and the rise of jawed fishes, including the evolution northern science. PCSP logistics support for of their anatomy, impacts they made on their this project included logistics planning and habitats and the reasons for their success. aircraft coordination for Twin Otter aircraft and helicopter transport of the field team and their field equipment to their study area. In addition,

34 Polar Continental Shelf Program SCIENCE REPORT 2018 A key aspect of this work is the ancient environment in which the fossils were “ formed. If we can know something about this, then we can see whether or not early fishes were changing their habitats in response to competitors or predators. – Martin Brazeau, Imperial College” London the PCSP provided field camp, communications and safety equipment from its field equipment inventory, fuel for camp purposes, and accommodations for the field team at the PCSP Resolute facility before and after their field studies. In the laboratory, the research team is breaking the Silurian period, based on previous fossil Paleontologists examine down the rock samples by using weak acids studies. Armoured jawed fishes were very rare rocks for fossils on Cornwallis Island, and is collecting an abundance of fragmentary during this period, therefore fossils of this Nunavut. fish fossils. They are identifying the fossils and species could provide insights into the early building a database to document how fish evolution of jaws, teeth and skull bones. In diversity changed as jawed fishes appeared in the rock samples collected, Brazeau hopes to ancient coastal waters. The team will use this find higher-quality fossils than those currently data to determine if jawed fishes drove jawless available for this species. The team has already fishes toward extinction through predation, discovered numerous fragmentary fossils that competition for food or a combination of may have come from this fish. While further factors. If early jawed fishes were predatory as analyses will confirm the species, this type of modern day sharks are, they may have increased fish would have been part of a lineage that led predation of jawless fishes, which could have to land-based vertebrates, including humans. significantly reduced their numbers. The early development of this lineage is largely a mystery and the research team would like To test this hypothesis, Brazeau’s research team to learn more about this ancient fish to fill will use fish head shields (bony head coverings) knowledge gaps on the evolution of a key to determine if the body sizes of jawless fishes group of vertebrates. increased as jawed fishes arrived, which would indicate an evolutionary response to increased predation. The team will also investigate the changing anatomy of early jawed fishes and Want to learn more? the relationships among their species from an Discover more about early vertebrates and evolutionary perspective. the work of Martin Brazeau and his research In addition, an early predatory fish with an team through this blog: www.palaeocast.com/ the-expedition/. armoured body (bony covering), Lophosteus canadensis, is believed to have existed during

Polar Continental Shelf Program SCIENCE REPORT 2018 35 Arctic foxes as sentinels of wildlife disease Emily Jenkins (University of Saskatchewan) Featured story location on the map: 11

As the Canadian Arctic experiences warming A young Arctic fox peeks out from its den near Karrak temperatures and associated environmental Lake, Nunavut. changes, new wildlife species are moving north and with them, new pathogens (viruses, bacteria and parasites) that can cause disease Emily Jenkins and a broad research team have in humans. Improved understanding of these been examining wildlife at Karrak Lake, Nunavut, zoonotic diseases (illnesses that can be for over a decade. Their goal is to determine transmitted from animals to humans) and the baselines for zoonotic disease and to predict influences of climate change on them is required. and mitigate disease risk to public health and This knowledge will help develop public health wildlife in this rapidly warming region. This strategies to mitigate disease risk for northern project is part of the Polar Knowledge Canada communities, improve country food safety, and Science and Technology Program. It involves inform wildlife management strategies related long-term collaboration with Ray Alisauskas and An Arctic fox at Karrak to disease control. Dana Kellett at ECCC, Gustaf Samelius at the Lake, Nunavut

36 Polar Continental Shelf Program SCIENCE REPORT 2018 Snow Leopard Trust, and new collaborations with Patrick Leighton at Université de Montréal. The research is focused largely on Arctic foxes, which act as sentinels of change (early indicators) to disease threats in the North. Arctic foxes’ opportunistic nature leads them to a higher likelihood of being exposed to new diseases, they lack immunity to the new diseases, and they are widely distributed across the region. The team has been collecting samples from Setting up a motion-activated camera at the entrance foxes, geese and rodents to test for zoonotic to a fox den at Karrak Lake, Nunavut diseases such as cat scratch fever, toxoplas- mosis and rabies. Mosquitoes have also been collected to examine which pathogens they carry. With this information, the team will model how Northern residents rely on healthy, climate change is influencing the movement stable populations of wildlife for of new diseases northward and enabling the food security and cultural continuity. transmission of illness throughout the region. “ Therefore, we will build on long-term The PCSP has supported wildlife studies at monitoring studies based at Karrak Karrak Lake through logistics planning for aircraft Lake to develop baselines and model requirements, including coordinating Twin Otter the future patterns of vector-borne aircraft flights to transport field team members and wildlife diseases with significance and their required equipment to and from the for human and animal health. study area. – Emily Jenkins, The project team includes students Émilie University of Saskatchewan Bouchard, Stacey Elmore, Julie Gailius and Kayla ” Buhler. Their results show that some Arctic foxes at Karrak Lake carry Bartonella henselae, a bacterium that is typically carried by cats and as they hunt and scavenge on the birds. This fleas and can cause cat scratch fever in humans. work will enable the team to determine current Although cats are uncommon in the North, and emerging public health risks related to Karrak Lake is home to the world’s largest colony toxoplasmosis and cat scratch fever, as well of snow and Ross’s geese, which have been as the influences of these diseases on fox found to carry nest fleas infected with Bartonella reproduction and survival. henselae. The research team has found that Jenkins’s team works closely with territorial and 39% of fleas collected from fox den entrances federal government health agencies to develop and goose nests carry these bacteria, suggesting public messaging about disease risks and that they may be a vector to transmit the disease. ways to mitigate them. By monitoring sentinel The geese were also found to carry Toxoplasma northern species, such as Arctic foxes, the gondii, a cat parasite that can cause research team will be able to detect diseases toxoplasmosis, and about 60% of Arctic foxes and vectors arriving in the Canadian Arctic at Karrak Lake are exposed. Further studies and follow the progression of those already in at Karrak Lake are exploring how the geese at the region, while also identifying current and Karrak Lake carry these two pathogens from emerging risks to country food security and their winter habitats and transmit them to foxes safety in the North.

Polar Continental Shelf Program SCIENCE REPORT 2018 37 World’s first hypersaline subglacial lakes discovered beneath Nunavut’s Devon Ice Cap Anja Rutishauser, Alison Criscitiello and Martin Sharp (University of Alberta) Featured story location on the map: 12

Hypersaline (extremely salty) water bodies are thought to exist below ice masses on other planets and moons in our solar system, Checking geophysical survey instruments installed in including under ice caps on Mars and Europa a BT-67 aircraft before a survey flight over Devon Ice (one of Jupiter’s moons). Until recently, no large Cap, Nunavut accumulations of hypersaline water had been found under Earth’s ice sheets or ice caps, Doctoral student Anja Rutishauser discovered though hypersaline groundwater had been noted evidence of the subglacial lakes while analysing beneath Taylor Glacier in Antarctica. The world’s data collected during past airborne geophysical first two hypersaline subglacial lakes were surveys of the Devon Ice Cap. Each survey had recently discovered under the central part of the used ice-penetrating radar instruments mounted Devon Ice Cap on Devon Island, Nunavut. The on an airplane to transmit energy through the groundwater beneath Taylor Glacier is known to ice cap and measure the energy reflected by contain microbial life (microscopic organisms), layers within the ice and the bedrock below it. and therefore, these newly discovered subglacial The vertical profiles through the ice cap created lakes may also provide a unique environment for from the data indicated the presence of liquid microbial communities. Understanding the water in two troughs in the underlying bedrock. formation of the subglacial lakes and examining Rutishauser and her collaborators estimated any life present in them will provide insight temperatures at the bottom of the ice at these into how life survives in the isolated, cold, dark two locations to be -14.3°C and -15.5°C, environment of the lakes, and by extension, respectively, and determined that the water must whether such life might exist in similar have high salt concentrations to remain environments elsewhere in the solar system. in liquid form.

38 Polar Continental Shelf Program SCIENCE REPORT 2018 geophysical data was needed to determine the full extent of each lake and understand the The subglacial lakes beneath the Devon hydrology and geology of the surrounding area. Ice Cap are extremely unique, with In spring 2018, Alison Criscitiello led an airborne “ the cold temperatures and expected survey over the Devon Ice Cap that focussed on salinity of the water making them the subglacial lake area and collected detailed tantalizing analogs for brine bodies that geophysical data along 4,365 kilometres of are inferred to exist on other planetary survey lines. Preliminary results support the bodies such as Europa and Mars. existence of the subglacial lakes and indicate that one of the lakes is larger than first thought. – Anja Rutishauser, University of Alberta This fieldwork was made possible through the ” PCSP’s coordination of a BT-67 aircraft, which provided sufficient cabin space to house and The research team looked to the geology of operate the required geophysical equipment as Devon Island to determine how the lakes could the airplane flew along the survey lines. be hypersaline and created a 3D geological The research team plans to conduct further model of the bedrock under the ice cap. They targeted geophysical surveys and use the data found that the Bay Fiord Formation is likely to refine their models of the lakes’ depths, exposed around or beneath the two subglacial circulation, hydrology and geology. They are lakes. This rock formation contains layers of also investigating the feasibility of using new salts, which could dissolve into the lake technologies to reach the lakes through 560 and water to create hypersaline conditions. The (left) 740 metres of ice, respectively, to sample water salinity needed for liquid water to exist in Researchers check and assess the lakes’ chemical, physical and the subglacial lakes was found to be similar instruments before a biological properties without contaminating them. survey flight over to the salinity of the groundwater beneath Further studies of these isolated water bodies will Devon Ice Cap, Nunavut. Taylor Glacier. improve understanding of the conditions needed The initial discovery of the subglacial lakes for hypersaline subglacial lakes to exist on Earth (right) and possibly enable researchers to use them as was based on historical geophysical data with View from the aircraft relatively sparse coverage. Consequently, further analogs for similar water bodies on other planets. during a survey flight to Devon Ice Cap, Nunavut

Polar Continental Shelf Program SCIENCE REPORT 2018 39 Looking for clues of early eukaryotic evolution in the Canadian Arctic Galen Halverson (McGill University) Feature story locations on the map: 13

Eukaryotes (organisms with cells that contain nuclei, including plants, animals and fungi) likely emerged on Earth about 1.8 billion years ago as early forms of complex life. They subsequently A team of researchers scrambles up a shale ridge near Hematite Creek in the Wernecke Mountains, Yukon. evolved and diversified into different groups, which led to the development of plants and animals. However, the early history of eukaryotes Nunavut, to improve understanding of ancient and their impacts on ancient environments is environments and early eukaryote evolution. largely unknown. They have conducted geological mapping of Northern Canada has an unusually complete and the area in addition to logging stratigraphy and well-preserved stratigraphic record (rock layer collecting rock samples for dating, determining sequence) that spans this poorly understood chemical composition and analysing fossils. chapter in the evolution of life during the middle Such geological field studies often require Proterozoic Eon (about 1.8 to 0.8 billion years sampling at many locations across a large study ago). By investigating the geological record of area. The PCSP coordinated helicopters and fuel the early life on Earth, researchers can improve caching to allow Halverson’s field team to reach understanding of the development of complex key sites for sampling and to transport samples organisms. They can also learn more about back to camp. the environmental conditions that supported The research team specifically focused on their development and the timing of key events microscopic Bangiomorpha pubescens leading to the origin of animals and plants. fossils within their samples, which represent Galen Halverson and his research team have a species of ancient red algae. These fossils been examining the geological history of the are remarkable because they closely resemble Proterozoic Eon on northwestern Baffin Island, modern red algae, while other early eukaryotes do not look like their present-day relatives.

40 Polar Continental Shelf Program SCIENCE REPORT 2018 A student examines rocks oldest complex lifeform in the geological record. formed on an ancient seabed in the Fury and It was the first multicellular organism to use This project is providing additional Hecla Basin, Baffin Island, fossil data, as well as geological and photosynthesis and known to reproduce sexually, Nunavut. geochemical constraints on when which makes this fossil particularly important “ for understanding the evolution of early plants key eukaryotic lineages emerged, in and animals. what environments they appeared, and how they may have altered The new precise date for the appearance of biogeochemical cycles. B. pubescens also provides greater accuracy for analyses that determine the timing of – Galen Halverson, important diversification events for different McGill University species of plants and animals. Using the new ” date, the research team conducted molecular clock analyses (computer modelling that Previous estimates for the age of B. pubescens examines changes to DNA [deoxyribonucleic fossils in rocks from Nunavut could only narrow acid] in organisms over time). This determined down their age to a 500 million year span that the first algae appeared on Earth about between about 1.2 and 0.7 billion years old, 1.25 billion years ago. leaving much uncertainty about the chronology These precise ages for the emergence of this of early photosynthesizing eukaryotes. Having algal lineage will enable enhanced modelling more precise dating of this fossil was needed to of their diversification into different lineages. determine its importance in evolution, as well as They will also improve knowledge about the improve analyses of eukaryote diversification. introduction of photosynthesis to the eukaryotes The research team used a recently developed realm and the impacts of this biological process, Rhenium-Osmium dating, to date the innovation on the environment. The research rocks containing B. pubescens fossils. They were team plans to continue studying Proterozoic- found to be 1.05 billion years old, which is aged rocks in Nunavut, Yukon and Greenland to 150 million years younger than previous estimates improve understanding of the early development for these fossils. Since no other fossils of of eukaryotes and the environmental complex organisms older than 800 million years conditions that fostered their development can be identified using plant taxonomy and diversification. (classification),B. pubescens represents the

Polar Continental Shelf Program SCIENCE REPORT 2018 41 Investigating the origin of precious metal-bearing metalliferous black shales of the Yukon Jan Peter and Michael Gadd (Natural Resources Canada) Featured story location on the map: 14

Yukon has some of the best examples of highly metalliferous (metal-containing) black shales Collecting samples from a rock outcrop in the Ogilvie in the world. In this region, these organic-rich Mountains, Yukon sedimentary rocks have layers that are strongly enriched with metals including zinc, nickel, HEBS in the Ogilvie Mountains and Wernecke molybdenum, selenium, uranium, vanadium, Mountains, Yukon. The goal of this research is gold, platinum, and palladium. Known as hyper- determine the formation processes of the HEBS enriched black shales (HEBS), these deposits in this region. are of potential economic interest to Canada, but a lack of information about how they form In the summer of 2018, the research team is hindering exploration activity. Similar HEBS examined exposures of HEBS and their host are being mined in Finland and China. Studies (surrounding) rocks in cliff faces along rivers and of HEBS formation processes will enable further creeks in two study areas. They found thin layers exploration and possible future development of (<10 centimetres thick) of metal sulphides, these valuable metal deposits in Canada. including pyrite, within black shale deposits and sampled rock from stratigraphic sections (rock The HEBS in Yukon formed when the present- layers). The samples are being analysed for day region was part of an ocean basin. Several chemical composition, conodont elements (part theories exist on how metals are deposited to of an extinct hagfish that can be used to date form HEBS, including seafloor hydrothermal rock layers) and metals and minerals present vent activity, meteor impact and precipitation in the rocks. As part of this project, graduate from ocean water. Jan Peter, Michael Gadd and student Mikael Haimbodi is comparing the their collaborators at the Geological Survey of HEBS of northern Yukon with others in British Canada, Yukon Geological Survey and Queen’s Columbia to determine if they were formed by University are investigating the properties of the similar processes.

42 Polar Continental Shelf Program SCIENCE REPORT 2018 Determining sampling locations along a river channel Examining a metalliferous shale horizon (distinctive Geologists determine in the Nick Prospect area, Yukon layer) in the Nick Prospect area, Yukon sample points on a rock face near Monster River, Yukon. Helicopter support, arranged by the PCSP, was vital for this fieldwork because it allowed the research team to move efficiently among sampling Unraveling the origin of this shale could sites across a large area where roads are not have major economic implications, as present. The PCSP also provided field equipment, “ well as offer clues into the atmosphere including field communications, safety supplies, and hydrosphere during a critical clothing and camp items, and organized shipment juncture in Earth’s history. of these goods for the project. – Jan Peter, The research team found that the stratigraphy Natural Resources Canada and properties of HEBS at different locations ” across Yukon are notably similar, suggesting that they formed at the same time and under similar Findings to date suggest that the HEBS in Yukon conditions. They also found fossils of an ancient likely formed after metals were deposited on woody plant, thought to be a lycopsid, in HEBS the seafloor during a relatively brief period of at the two study sites and at Peel River, Yukon, about 2.3 million years under anoxic conditions where they conducted previous fieldwork. (no oxygen was present). The anoxic conditions The team is now investigating if these plants limited the breakdown of organic material and played a role in HEBS formation or if they permitted metals to precipitate from ocean indicate the environmental conditions at the water. The research team also found that time. Dating of conodont elements within the different types of sulfides in the HEBS hosted sulfide deposits of HEBS samples collected at different metals, with pyrite hosting more Peel River indicated that the rocks are of Middle precious metals than other sulfide minerals. Devonian age (386.9 to 389.2 million years old). Identifying the formation processes of HEBS Further dating of samples from 2018 will refine over large areas will improve understanding of the age of HEBS and enable the research team ancient atmosphere-ocean interactions and to determine if mineralization (the deposition support further HEBS exploration in Yukon and of metals) occurred over a single period or at other locations in western Canada. different times across the region.

Polar Continental Shelf Program SCIENCE REPORT 2018 43 Surveying a drained lake bed to determine water flow out of the lake during outburst floods at the Kaskawulsh Glacier, Yukon

A glaciology field camp on the summit of Agassiz Ice Cap, northern Ellesmere Island, Nunavut

A muskox stands on Herschel Island, Yukon.

44 Polar Continental Shelf Program SCIENCE REPORT 2018 List of supported projects in 2018 by field location *Projects with field site locations in multiple territories and/or provinces are listed under each applicable region.

ALBERTA BRITISH COLUMBIA MANITOBA

Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) trials East-central British Columbia On-ice ecology of polar bears in Principal investigator: Richard field program Hudson Bay Fortin, Natural Resources Canada Principal investigator: Bill Arnott, Principal investigator: Andrew (CFB Suffield) University of Ottawa (Castle Creek) Derocher, University of Alberta (Churchill) Paleolimnological studies to Landslide assessment potential distinguish the roles of river Principal investigator: Andrée Blais- Lake ice fieldwork in the regulation and climate change on Stevens, Natural Resources Canada Experimental Lakes Area 2018* persistent low water levels in the (Whistler) Principal investigator: Hugo Drouin, Peace-Athabasca Delta Natural Resources Canada (Winnipeg) Principal investigator: Roland Hall, Annual field equipment request for University of Waterloo (Fort Chipewyan) training and fieldwork TGI-5 Lynn Lake Principal investigator: Michelle Côté, Principal investigator: Christopher Video series: Wildlife science in the Natural Resources Canada (Sidney) Lawley, Natural Resources Canada oil sands region (Lynn Lake) Principal investigator: Danny Haida Gwaii seismic network Kingsberry, Environment and Climate upgrade phase 2 Sustaining hydroecological Change Canada (Fort Chipewyan) Principal investigator: Scott monitoring to assess state of the Dodd, Natural Resources Canada park in Wapusk National Park, Lakes of the Peace-Athabasca Delta: (Haida Gwaii) Manitoba – 2018 hydrology and carbon balance Principal investigator: Chantal Principal investigator: Brent Annual training – Geological Survey Ouimet, Parks Canada (Wapusk Wolfe, Wilfrid Laurier University of Canada, Vancouver National Park) (Fort Chipewyan and the Peace- Principal investigator: Steve Irwin, Athabasca Delta) Natural Resources Canada (Vancouver)

Liard Basin 2018 fieldwork Principal investigator: Andrew Mort, A field camp on Natural Resources Canada (Stone eastern Cornwallis Mountain and Besa River) Island, Nunavut

Polar Continental Shelf Program SCIENCE REPORT 2018 45 Assessing the extent and impact NORTHWEST TERRITORIES Tombstone Park bioblitz and of lesser snow goose at larger species at risk surveys in the spatial scales in Wapusk National Teleseismic structure of the crust northern Yukon* Park: Parks Canada and Hudson and mantle beneath Banks Island, Principal investigator: Syd Cannings, Bay Project collaboration, rapid Northwest Territories Environment and Climate Change assessment protocol, and the Principal investigator: Pascal Audet, Canada (Inuvik) combination of existing and new University of Ottawa (Ulukhaktok sampling sites – 2018 and Inuvik) Investigation into the extent Principal investigator: Chantal of slumping and its impact on Ouimet, Parks Canada (Wapusk Assessing terrain sensitivity landscape morphology within the National Park) to permafrost thaw and fire to Thomsen River Watershed in Aulavik understand and predict boreal National Park (Northwest Territories) Interactions between red foxes and caribou habitat and forage quality Principal investigator: Hayleigh Arctic foxes at the Arctic’s edge in the Sahtú Conway, Parks Canada (Aulavik Principal investigator: James Roth, Principal investigator: Jennifer National Park and Inuvik) University of Manitoba (Wapusk Baltzer, Wilfrid Laurier University National Park) (Norman Wells) Geohazards and methane release in coastal permafrost settings* Remote sensing and modelling of Principal investigator: Scott NEW BRUNSWICK hydrology-permafrost interactions Dallimore, Natural Resources Canada Principal investigator: Aaron Berg, (Tuktoyaktuk) Assessing groundwater vulnerability University of Guelph (Trail Valley Creek) to deep industrial activities in a Annual maintenance of Environment shale gas prospective area, southern State and evolution of Canada’s and Climate Change Canada’s New Brunswick glaciers/Essential Climate Variable automatic weather station array – Principal investigator: Christine (ECV) mass balance – Queen Arctic Archipelago* Rivard, Natural Resources Canada Elizabeth Islands, Nunavut and Principal investigator: Rich DeVall, (Sussex) Northwest Territories* Environment and Climate Change Principal investigator: David Burgess, Canada (Cape Providence and Natural Resources Canada (Melville Mould Bay) NEWFOUNDLAND AND Ice Cap) Delineating and characterizing LABRADOR Investigations of permafrost habitats critical for Arctic char, Dolly and climate change, western Varden, and Pacific salmon in the GEM-2 North Atlantic Craton, Arctic Canada lower Hornaday River watershed Labrador Principal investigator: Christopher Principal investigator: Karen Dunmall, Principal investigator: David Corrigan, Burn, Carleton University (Garry Island Fisheries and Oceans Canada Natural Resources Canada (Hopedale and Illisarvik) (Paulatuk) and Nain) Synthesis of Glacial History State and evolution of Canada’s Estimating the abundance of polar and Dynamics in the Rae glaciers: mass balance northern bears in Davis Strait* Geological Province cordillera, Northwest Territories Principal investigator: Markus Principal investigator: Janet Principal investigator: Mark Dyck, Government of Nunavut Campbell, Natural Resources Canada Ednie, Natural Resources Canada (St. John’s Harbour) (Aylmer Lake) (Bologna Glacier)

46 Polar Continental Shelf Program SCIENCE REPORT 2018 Unloading a Twin Otter on eastern Cornwallis Island, Nunavut

Site visit to allow for the transfer of Stratigraphic history and sources Understanding changes in aquatic a remediated site on federal land of geochemical anomalies in the ecosystem health and water to territorial land – Johnson Point, southern Misty Creek embayment quality in the Fort Good Hope Northwest Territories Principal investigator: Beth Fischer, (Ramparts area) Project lead: Andrea Ellis, Department Northwest Territories Geological Survey, Principal investigator: Kirsty Gurney, of Environment and Natural Resources, Government of Northwest Territories Environment and Climate Change Government of Northwest Territories (Mile 222, Mackenzie Mountains) Canada (Fort Good Hope) (Inuvik and Johnson Point) Deglaciation of the Mackenzie GEM-2 Richardson Mountains Sub-Arctic Metal Mobility Study Valley and meltwater routing to Principal investigator: Thomas (SAMMS) the Arctic Ocean Hadlari, Natural Resources Canada Principal investigator: Michael Principal investigator: Duane Froese, (Aklavik) English, Wilfrid Laurier University University of Alberta (Katherine Creek, (Whatį̀ and Yellowknife) Little Bear River and Hare Indian River) Impacts of natural and anthropogenic disturbances on the Shale Basin evolution in the Population assessment of Dolly aquatic health of tundra lakes in the Northwest Territories mainland Varden 2018* Upland region northeast of Inuvik, Principal investigator: Kathryn Fiess, Principal investigator: Colin Northwest Territories Northwest Territories Geological Survey, Gallagher, Fisheries and Oceans Principal investigator: Erika Hille, Government of Northwest Territories Canada (Big Fish River and Rat River) Aurora Research Institute, Aurora (Carcajou River, Dodo Canyon, Powell College (Pingo Bluff, Noell Lake Creek and Rumbly Creek) and Inuvik)

Polar Continental Shelf Program SCIENCE REPORT 2018 47 Mountain peaks in the Bonnet Plume Range near Goz Creek in the Wernecke Mountains, Yukon

Beaufort Sea coastal restoration: Integrated methods to monitor Eastern Beaufort Sea beluga: Prey the potential for using native permafrost geohazards, northwestern interactions and habitat use plant species to stabilize Northwest Territories Principal investigator: Lisa Loseto, coastline affected by permafrost Principal investigator: Steve Kokelj, Fisheries and Oceans Canada thaw slumping Northwest Territories Geological Survey, (Ulukhaktok and Hendrickson Island) Principal investigator: Erika Hille, Government of Northwest Territories Aurora Research Institute, Aurora (Inuvik) Northwest Territories Ice Patch College (Pelly Island, Ellice Island, Monitoring Program Water Lake and James Creek) Lake ecosystem change at the Principal investigator: Glen MacKay, southern limit of permafrost Prince of Wales Northern Heritage The effects of muskox on caribou Principal investigator: Jennifer Korosi, Centre (Norman Wells) in the Yukon North Slope and York University (Fort Simpson) Richardson Mountains* Bedrock mapping and stratigraphic Principal investigator: Murray Vegetation change in the western studies, Mackenzie Mountains, 2018 Humphries, McGill University Arctic (GEM program) (Richardson Mountains) Principal investigator: Trevor Principal investigator: Robert Lantz, University of Victoria (Sachs MacNaughton, Natural Resources Comprehensive bedrock mapping Harbour, Deep Creek Cabin and Canada (Poacher Lake and Dal Lake) of the Central Slave Province, Tuktoyaktuk Peninsula) Northwest Territories Hydrological studies of the Principal investigator: Bernadette Beluga habitat work at East Mackenzie Delta region Knox, Northwest Territories Geological Whitefish and Hendrickson Island Principal investigator: Philip Marsh, Survey, Government of Northwest Principal investigator: Lisa Loseto, Wilfrid Laurier University (Trail Territories (Dragon Lake, Jolly Lake and Fisheries and Oceans Canada (East Valley Creek) Mohawk Lake) Whitefish and Hendrickson Island)

48 Polar Continental Shelf Program SCIENCE REPORT 2018 Tectonostratigraphy of the Nonacho Transportation Resilience in the Southern MacKenzie Surficial (GEM-2) Group basin and nature of basement Arctic informed by Landscape Principal investigator: Roger Paulen, rocks of the Rae Craton, Northwest Systems (TRAILS): permafrost and Natural Resources Canada (Hay River) Territories terrain research Principal investigator: Edith Martel, Principal investigator: Peter Morse, Paleoecological studies of forest Northwest Territories Geological Survey, Natural Resources Canada (Inuvik) fires and climate change in the Government of Northwest Territories Canadian Subarctic (Hjalmar Lake, Nonacho Lake and Vulnerabilities of Arctic cod early life Principal investigator: Michael Pisaric, Sparrow Bay) stages to changing oceanographic Brock University (Yellowknife) conditions in Arctic coastal Examining the genetic adaptation of embayments Collecting digital imagery of white spruce to climate change on Principal investigator: Andrea Niemi, significant cultural sites in Aulavik a latitudinal transect in Northwest Fisheries and Oceans Canada (Inuvik National Park Territories and Franklin Bay) Principal investigator: Ashley Piskor, Principal investigator: Jean-Philippe Parks Canada (Aulavik National Park Martin, Brock University (Inuvik and The Quaternary stratigraphy and and Inuvik) Norman Wells) placer gold potential of the Redstone River, Northwest Territories Western Arctic snow goose Identifying essential habitat and Principal investigator: Philippe management and habitat defining the thermal niche of Normandeau, Northwest Territories assessment Dolly Varden in the Canadian Geological Survey, Government of Principal investigator: Eric Reed, Western Arctic Northwest Territories (Wrigley Lake) Environment and Climate Change Principal investigator: Neil Mochnacz, Canada (Sachs Harbour, Siksik Lake Fisheries and Oceans Canada and Inuvik) (Fish Creek)

Kugluktuk community members check gill nets for char in Coronation Gulf, Nunavut.

Polar Continental Shelf Program SCIENCE REPORT 2018 49 Integrating fixed-wing and Producing an accurate forage quality Long-term monitoring at FOX-C helicopter surveys to improve map for barren-ground caribou using Ekalugad Fjord detection and species identification UAV and satellite images Principal investigator: Jean of breeding scoters Principal investigator: David Tavares, Allen, Crown-Indigenous Relations Principal investigator: Eric Reed, Parks Canada (Uyarsavik Lake and and Northern Affairs Canada Environment and Climate Change Melville Hills) (Ekalugad Fiord) Canada (Lynx Lake) Beaufort Sea coastal dynamics: Environmental change in Abrupt change within the Climate-driven change* aquatic ecosystems of northern discontinuous zone Principal investigator: Dustin Whalen, Ellesmere Island Principal investigator: Wendy Natural Resources Canada (Pelly Principal investigator: Dermot Sladen, Natural Resources Canada Island, Tuktoyaktuk and Inuvik) Antoniades, Université Laval (Yellowknife) (Stuckberry Point) Abrupt change within the Changing permafrost conditions in discontinuous permafrost zone Telehealth Program Development the Mackenzie Valley Principal investigator: Stephen Principal investigator: Glenn Austin, Principal investigator: Sharon Smith, Wolfe, Natural Resources Canada Health Canada/Indigenous Services Natural Resources Canada (Inuvik and (Yellowknife) Canada (Iqaluit) Norman Wells) Arctic housing demonstration GEM-2 - Western Arctic: Smoking NOVA SCOTIA towards net-zero Hills project Principal investigator: Carsen Principal investigator: Rod Atmospheric deposition Banister, National Research Council Smith, Natural Resources Canada Principal investigator: Philippa Canada (Iqaluit) (Smoking Hills) Huntsman, Natural Resources Canada (Goldenville) Arctic ventilation collaborative COnstrained Productivity research project Estimate (COPE) Principal investigator: Carsen Principal investigator: Oliver NUNAVUT Banister, National Research Council Sonnentag, Université de Montréal Canada (Iqaluit) (Scotty Creek, Smith Creek and Trail Impacts of ship-source air pollutant Valley Creek) Ecology of Arctic and red fox on emissions on lake ecosystem health Bylot Island in the Arctic Land-water linkages and the fate Principal investigator: Dominique Principal investigator: Julian Aherne, of terrestrial carbon in aquatic Berteaux, Université du Québec à Trent University (Iqaluit) ecosystems of the western Rimouski (Bylot Island) Canadian Arctic Karrak Lake assessment of Principal investigator: Suzanne Ecology of Migratory Birds in the continental efforts at population Tank, University of Alberta (Inuvik and Canadian Arctic reduction of light geese Fort McPherson) Principal investigator: Joël Bêty, Principal investigator: Ray Alisauskas, Université du Québec à Rimouski Environment and Climate Change (Bylot Island) Canada (Karrak Lake and Perry River)

Arctic Sea Ice Training (SmartICE) Principal investigator: Eric Bing, Transport Canada (Qikiqtarjuaq)

50 Polar Continental Shelf Program SCIENCE REPORT 2018 A researcher examines a bluff along the Old Crow River, Yukon, to look for fossils.

Palaeoecology and evolution of Early Glacier monitoring on Axel Annual maintenance of Environment Palaeozoic fishes Heiberg Island and Climate Change Canada’s Principal investigator: Martin Principal investigator: Luke Copland, automatic weather station array – Brazeau, Imperial College London, University of Ottawa (Expedition Fiord) Arctic Archipelago* United Kingdom (Read Bay and Principal investigator: Rich DeVall, Snowblind Bay) Hudson-Ungava Project: shallow Environment and Climate Change geophysical imaging of the Paleozoic Canada (Svarteveag, Cape Liverpool, Lake ice in the Canadian High Arctic Hudson Platform in Manitoba Isachsen, Rae Point, Eureka, Grise Principal investigator: Laura Brown, Principal investigator: Jim Fiord, Fort Ross, Umingmalik and University of Toronto Mississauga Craven, Natural Resources Canada Stefansson Island) (Resolute and Polar Bear Pass) (Coral Harbour) Climate change in the High Arctic: State and evolution of Canada’s Diversity, dynamics and dispersion of impact on wildlife and permafrost glaciers/Essential Climate Variable wild viruses in the Canadian carbon stocks (ECV) mass balance – Queen High Arctic Principal investigator: Florent Elizabeth Islands, Nunavut and Principal investigator: Alexander Domine, Université Laval (Bylot Island) Northwest Territories* Culley, Université Laval (Ward Principal investigator: David Burgess, Hunt Island) Estimating the abundance of polar Natural Resources Canada (Agassiz Ice bears in Davis Strait* Cap, Devon Ice Cap, Meighen Ice Cap Principal investigator: Markus Dyck, and Grise Fiord) Government of Nunavut (Jackman Sound, Kimmirut, York Sound and Allen Island)

Polar Continental Shelf Program SCIENCE REPORT 2018 51 An Arctic fox with an ear tag at Karrak Lake, Nunavut

Fuel cache clean up for Baffin Bay Disturbance and transformation of Sentinel North International Arctic polar bear project permafrost Arctic geosystems Field School Principal investigator: Markus Dyck, Principal investigator: Daniel Fortier, Project lead: Marie-France Gévry, Government of Nunavut (Cape Hunter) Université de Montréal (Bylot Island) Université Laval (Iqaluit)

Impact of year-round ice conditions Inuinnait Heritage: a collaborative Population studies of eider ducks on Arctic seabirds approach to archaeological research breeding at East Bay Island and Principal investigator: Kyle Elliott, in the Canadian Arctic thick-billed murres breeding at McGill University (Coats Island) Principal investigator: Max Friesen, Coats Island, Nunavut University of Toronto (Bathurst Inlet) Principal investigator: Grant Gilchrist, A weather station network near Environment and Climate Change Cambridge Bay to support safe travel Population biology of tundra Canada (Coats Island, East Bay and and fundamental boundary layer birds and small mammals: East Bay Island) meteorology research demography, trophic interactions Principal investigator: Brent Else, and climate change Connections between the Arctic and University of Calgary (Cambridge Bay, Principal investigator: Gilles Gauthier, distant ecosystems through animal 30-Mile River, Qikirtaarjuk Island and Université Laval (Bylot Island) migrations: Consequences on trophic Melbourne Island) interactions in the Arctic Shared Services Canada set-up Principal investigator: Marie-Andrée Sirmilik National Park at the Canadian High Arctic Giroux, Université de Moncton operations 2018 Research Station (Igloolik Island) Principal investigator: Carey Elverum, Principal investigator: Heather Parks Canada (Sirmilik National Park) Geddes, Shared Services Canada (Cambridge Bay)

52 Polar Continental Shelf Program SCIENCE REPORT 2018 Periglacial geomorphology Repeater tower sites to support SAR Baffin Island goose banding investigation study in permafrost in Arctic Bay Principal investigator: Jim Leafloor, at the Haughton impact structure Project lead: Deborah Johnson, Environment and Climate Change and surrounding terrains, Devon Hamlet of Arctic Bay (Admiralty Inlet) Canada (Koukjuak River and Island, Nunavut Nikko Island) Principal investigator: Etienne Joint Arctic Experiment Godin, University of Western Ontario Principal investigator: Martin Southampton Island goose banding (Haughton impact structure) Kegel, Natural Resources Canada Principal investigator: Jim Leafloor, (Cambridge Bay) Environment and Climate Change Canadian Arctic Sea Ice Mass Canada (Coral Harbour and East Bay) Balance Observatory (CASIMBO) Canadian Northern Economic Principal investigator: Christian Haas, Development Agency visit to Iqaluit Survival in Arctic geese (Perry River, York University (Alert) for Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit Days Queen Maud Gulf Bird Sanctuary) Project lead: Janet King, Canadian Principal investigator: Jim Leafloor, Onshore stratigraphic studies, Northern Economic Development Environment and Climate Change northwest Baffin Bay Agency (Iqaluit) Canada (Perry River) Principal investigator: Jim Haggart, Natural Resources Canada (Clyde River Dynamics and climatic sensitivity Nunavut transportation & and Pond Inlet) of a High Arctic ecosystem: study of transmission spatial heterogeneity of soil-snow- Principal investigator: Anne-Marie Ocean-forcing of marine-terminating vegetation interactions LeBlanc, Natural Resources Canada glaciers in the Canadian High Arctic Principal investigator: Christophe (Rankin Inlet) Principal investigator: Andrew Kinnard, Université du Québec à Trois- Hamilton, University of Ottawa (Talbot Rivières (Bylot Island) Arctic IMPACT: Arctic Integrative Inlet and Grise Fiord) Monitoring of Predators in the Integrated watershed and terrestrial Arctic Tundra Species and ecosystem constraints research to improve water security in Principal investigator: Nicolas on increasing vegetation cover in the the High Arctic Lecomte, Université de Moncton (Bylot High Arctic in a warming climate Principal investigator: Scott Island and Igloolik Island) Principal investigator: Greg Henry, Lamoureux, Queen’s University University of British Columbia (Cape Bounty, Eleanor River and Population dynamics of the greater (Alexandra Fiord, Sverdrup Pass and McMaster River) snow goose in relation to habitat Princess Marie Bay) Principal investigator: Josée Lefebvre, Greenhouse gas emissions from Environment and Climate Change Assessing risks of food- and vector- Arctic lakes: processes that Canada (Bylot Island) borne diseases in wildlife in the accelerate the mineralization Canadian Arctic of organic matter released by Climate change impacts on mercury Principal investigator: Emily thawing permafrost and methylmercury sources to Jenkins, University of Saskatchewan Principal investigator: Isabelle Arctic ecosystems (Karrak Lake) Laurion, Institut national de Principal investigator: Igor Lehnherr, la recherche scientifique University of Toronto-Mississauga (Qarlikturvik Valley) (Lake Hazen)

Polar Continental Shelf Program SCIENCE REPORT 2018 53 Coronation and Amundsen Gulf Ecosystem Approach in Tremblay Milne Fiord ice-ocean interactions: chars: Essential elements of Sound (EAT) 2018 Implications for the stability of diversity, habitats and conservation Principal investigator: Marianne ice shelves and glaciers in the in northern sea-run fishes Marcoux, Fisheries and Oceans Canada polar regions Principal investigator: Tracey Loewen, (Tremblay Sound and Bylot Island) Principal investigator: Derek Mueller, Fisheries and Oceans Canada Carleton University (Purple Valley Strip, (Kugluktuk) Gascoyne Inlet Milne Ice Shelf and Milne Glacier) Principal investigator: Eric Stress-mediated mechanisms linking McDonald, Natural Resources Canada Investigating potential effects individual state, climate variability (Gascoyne Inlet) of climate warming on trends of and population health in Arctic mercury and persistent organic breeding birds Joint Arctic Experiment pollutants in arctic aquatic and Principal investigator: Oliver Love, Principal investigator: Eric terrestrial environments University of Windsor (East Bay and McDonald, Natural Resources Canada Principal investigator: Derek Muir, East Bay Island) (Cambridge Bay) Environment and Climate Change Canada (Cape Bounty and Resolute) Quttinirpaaq National Park Multidisciplinary Arctic Program operating season 2018 and federal (MAP) – Last Ice Effects of overabundant Arctic geese infrastructure initiative Principal investigator: Christine on other tundra nesting birds Principal investigator: Jennifer Michel, Fisheries and Oceans Principal investigator: Erica Nol, Trent Lukacic, Parks Canada (Quttinirpaaq Canada (Alert) University (East Bay) National Park) Disappearing ice Nunavut transportation & Canadian Arctic Underwater Sentinel Principal investigator: Gifford transmission Experimentation (CAUSE) Project Miller, University of Colorado Boulder Principal investigator: Greg Principal investigator: Erin MacNeil, (Pond Inlet) Oldenborger, Natural Resources Defence Research and Development Canada (Rankin Inlet) Canada (Gascoyne Inlet) PACEMAP Principal investigator: Gifford Geological framework of the Contaminants in Arctic seabirds – Miller, University of Colorado Boulder northern Rae Province on Prince Leopold Island (Qikiqtarjuaq) eastern Devon and southeastern Principal investigator: Mark Ellesmere Islands Mallory, Acadia University (Prince The analytical quandary of chert Principal investigator: Gordon Leopold Island) quarries: A multi-scalar approach Osinski, University of Western Ontario to understanding Palaeo-Eskimo (Dundas Harbour) Determining bycatch of seabirds technological organization and in Arctic fisheries: updating colony novice skill on southern Baffin Island Igloolik engagement visit census data Principal investigator: Brooke Milne, Project lead: Lashawna Phillips, Principal investigator: Mark Mallory, University of Manitoba (Mingo Lake, Natural Resources Canada (Igloolik) Acadia University (Pond Inlet) Mingo River and Hone River) Evolution of postglacial landscapes Tracking annual movements of Arctic VHF radio repeater maintenance and hydrological gateways in the terns from the Canadian High Arctic Project lead: Mona Milton, Foxe Basin-Nettilling Lake region, Principal investigator: Mark Mallory, Mittimatalik Hunters and Trappers Nunavut Acadia University (Tern Island) Organization (Eclipse Sound and Principal investigator: Reinhard Milne Inlet) Pienitz, Université Laval (Pangnirtung)

54 Polar Continental Shelf Program SCIENCE REPORT 2018 A view to the west in the Bonnet Plume Range of the Wernecke Mountains, Yukon

Polar Continental Shelf Program SCIENCE REPORT 2018 55 A field camp on eastern Cornwallis Island, Nunavut

GEM Program Creswell Functional, structural and Polar Knowledge Canada 2018 Camp Site Visit biodiversity studies of Arctic Project lead: Grant Redvers, Polar Project lead: Michel Plouffe, Natural freshwater watersheds: validating Knowledge Canada (Cambridge Bay) Resources Canada (Creswell Bay) protocols for monitoring and cumulative impacts assessment GEM Program Meadowbank site visit McGill Arctic Research Station Principal investigator: Michael Power, Project lead: Linda Richard, Natural (MARS) Science Program University of Waterloo (Cambridge Bay) Resources Canada (Baker Lake) Principal investigator: Wayne Pollard, McGill University (Expedition Fiord) Arctic Shorebird Monitoring Program GEM-2 Boothia-Somerset: integrated (Arctic PRISM) – Tier 1 surveys geoscience of the Northwest Passage The McGill Arctic Research Initiative: Principal investigator: Jennie Rausch, Principal investigator: Mary Sanborn- MARI 2018 Environment and Climate Change Barrie, Natural Resources Canada Principal investigator: Wayne Pollard, Canada (Mingo Lake and Pond Inlet) (Creswell Bay) McGill University (Resolute and Expedition Fiord) Population studies of shorebirds at Paleoeskimo demography of Foxe Nanuit Itillinga (Polar Bear Pass) Basin, Nunavut The vulnerability of High Arctic National Wildlife Area, Nunavut Principal investigator: James Savelle, permafrost to climate change (Arctic PRISM Tier 2 Site) McGill University (Jens Munk Island) Principal investigator: Wayne Principal investigator: Jennie Rausch, Pollard, McGill University (Eureka and Environment and Climate Change Dynamics and change of Canadian Expedition Fiord) Canada (Nanuit Itillinga (Polar Bear Arctic ice caps Pass) National Wildlife Area) Principal investigator: Martin Sharp, University of Alberta (Devon Ice Cap and Lake Hazen)

56 Polar Continental Shelf Program SCIENCE REPORT 2018 Qausuittuq National Park Microbial investigations of Paleoseismic studies in operations 2018 permafrost and cold saline eastern Canada Principal investigator: Jovan springs in the High Arctic Principal investigator: Greg Brooks, Simic, Parks Canada (Qausuittuq Principal investigator: Lyle Whyte, Natural Resources Canada (Ottawa National Park) McGill University (Expedition Fiord) and Matheson)

GEM-2 North Baffin 2018 Ukkusiksalik National Lake ice fieldwork in the bedrock mapping Park operations Experimental Lakes Area 2018* Principal investigator: Diane Principal investigator: Monty Principal investigator: Hugo Skipton, Natural Resources Canada Yank, Parks Canada (Ukkusiksalik Drouin, Natural Resources Canada (Isortoq River) National Park) (Experimental Lakes Area)

Population studies of shorebirds at Canadian Armed Forces Arctic Canadian Geodetic Survey – East Bay Mainland, Nunavut Training Centre (CAFATC) training Active control system general Principal investigators: Paul Smith activities based in Resolute, fieldwork 2018 and Jennie Rausch, Environment and Nunavut, in 2018: Principal investigator: Stuart Elson, Climate Change Canada (East Bay) Arctic Operations Advisor Natural Resources Canada (Algonquin) ••Course 2018 The Lake Hazen watershed as a Canadian Armed Forces Arctic Allan Lake – Algonquin Park sentinel of Arctic environmental ••Training Centre Operations 2018 Principal investigator: Richard Fortin, change Canadian Forces School of Search Natural Resources Canada (Algonquin Principal investigator: Vincent ••and Rescue 2018 Provincial Park) St. Louis, University of Alberta Canadian Forces School of (Lake Hazen) ••Survival and Aeromedical Training Lands and Minerals Sector Command Visit to the occupational health and safety The effect of Arctic marine traffic on ••Canadian Armed Forces Arctic courses 2018 air quality in Arctic communities Training Centre Project lead: Mohamed Habbane, Principal investigator: Ralf Staebler, Joint Task Force North Operation Natural Resources Canada (Ottawa) Environment and Climate Change ••Nunalivut Canada (Resolute) NOREX 2018 International Boundary Commission ••Opening Maintenance Visit monument maintenance: West Line Fury and Hecla Geoscience Project ••Canadian Armed Forces Arctic and St. Lawrence River* Principal investigator: Holly Training Centre Project lead: Joe Harrietha, Natural Steenkamp, Canada-Nunavut Operation Nanook 2018 Resources Canada (St. Lawrence Geoscience Office (Gifford River) •• River area)

Northern Ellesmere Island in the ONTARIO TGI-5 Cr-Ni project, summer 2018* Global Environment – Sentinel North Principal investigator: Michel Principal investigator: Warwick TGI-5 Activity, NC-1.3: Controls Houlé, Natural Resources Canada Vincent, Université Laval (Ward on the localization and timing of (Esker Camp) Hunt Island) mineralized intrusions in intra- continental rift systems Northern Hudson Bay narwhal Principal investigator: Wouter Bleeker, population aerial survey Natural Resources Canada (Lake Principal investigator: Cortney Watt, Superior area) Fisheries and Oceans Canada (Naujaat)

Polar Continental Shelf Program SCIENCE REPORT 2018 57 A field camp to support paleontology research along the Old Crow River, Yukon

Natural Resources Canada QUEBEC TGI-5 Cr-Ni project, summer 2018* international meeting Principal investigator: Michel Houlé, Project lead: Jennifer Pelley, Natural Paleoseismic studies in central Natural Resources Canada (Raglan) Resources Canada (Ottawa) Canada Principal investigator: Greg Brooks, Coastal oceanography of the east Health Portfolio Operations Centre Natural Resources Canada (Rouyn- coast of James Bay Mobilizations Noranda) Principal investigator: Urs Neumeier, Project lead: Violaine Pilote, Public Université du Québec à Rimouski Health Agency of Canada (Ottawa) Geoenvironmental characteristics of (James Bay area) Canadian critical metal deposits Climate change –- suspended Principal investigator: Lori Campbell, Characteristics of Canadian critical sediment studies Natural Resources Canada (Oka) metal deposits Principal investigator: Carrie Principal investigator: Michael Rickwood, Natural Resources Canada EGP Critical Metals – Oka Activity Parsons, Natural Resources Canada (Clearwater Lake, Junction Creek, Kelly Principal investigator: Alexandre (Oka) Lake and Richard Lake) Desbarats, Natural Resources Canada (Oka) Geo-environmental study of the St. TGI-5 Origin of Ni-Cu-PGE Lawrence Columbium Mine mineralization, mid-continent rift, International Boundary Commission Principal investigator: Jeanne western Ontario monument maintenance: West Line Percival, Natural Resources Principal investigator: Jennifer and St. Lawrence River* Canada (Oka) Smith, Natural Resources Canada Project lead: Joe Harrietha, Natural (Thunder Bay) Resources Canada (Stanstead)

58 Polar Continental Shelf Program SCIENCE REPORT 2018 International Boundary Commission TGI-5 U1.3 MT survey in the Tombstone Park bioblitz and vista clearing contracts Patterson Lake corridor species at risk surveys in the Project lead: Joel Petit, Natural Principal investigator: Victoria northern Yukon* Resources Canada (Lac-Mégantic) Tschirhart, Natural Resources Canada Principal investigator: Syd Cannings, (Patterson Lake) Environment and Climate Change Survey fieldwork in the Canada (Tombstone Territorial Park and highlands, Quebec Uranium fluid pathways Eagle Plains) Principal investigator: Rodger Reid, Principal investigator: Victoria Natural Resources Canada Tschirhart, Natural Resources Canada Mass balance, dynamics and recent (Lac-Mégantic) (Patterson Lake) changes of glaciers in Kluane National Park, Yukon Forestry operations Principal investigator: Luke Copland, Project lead: Steve Thibeault, Natural YUKON University of Ottawa (Kaskawulsh Resources Canada (Baie-Comeau, La Glacier and North Glacier) Tuque and Ottawa River areas) Multi-scale assessment of environmental changes impact Geohazards and methane release in on sub-Arctic glacierized coastal permafrost settings* SASKATCHEWAN watersheds hydrology Principal investigator: Scott Principal investigator: Michel Baraer, Dallimore, Natural Resources Canada Canadian Geodetic Survey gravity École de technologie supérieure (Herschel Island) and global positioning system (Upper Duke River and Grizzly Creek) fieldwork, Canadian Base Network, Saskatchewan Northern and visiting students from the Sentinel North Principal investigator: Jason International Field School build igloos in Iqaluit, Nunavut. Silliker, Natural Resources Canada (Saskatoon) A comprehensive analysis of surging Hydrological and Ecological Assessment of Dolly Varden stocks in glacier dynamics and controls in the Research in Vuntut National Ivvavik National Park Yukon Territory, Canada Park, Yukon Principal investigator: David Tavares, Principal investigator: Christine Dow, Principal investigator: Ian McDonald, Parks Canada (Ivvavik National Park) University of Waterloo (Lowell Glacier) Parks Canada (Old Crow) Identifying impacts of changes in Observational constraints on Origin of hyper-enriched black shale climate and landscape on lake and glacier form and flow, southwest Ni-Zn-PGE deposits, Yukon Territory river chemistry and hydrology in Old Yukon, Canada Principal investigator: Jan Peter, Crow Flats, Yukon, Canada Principal investigator: Gwenn Flowers, Natural Resources Canada (Dawson Principal investigator: Kevin Turner, Simon Fraser University (Kaskawulsh and Mayo) Brock University (Old Crow) Glacier and Kaskawulsh Lake) Carlin-type gold mineralization, Beaufort Sea coastal dynamics: Population assessment of Dolly Rackla belt, Yukon Climate-driven change* Varden 2018* Principal investigator: Nicolas Principal investigator: Dustin Principal investigator: Colin Pinet, Natural Resources Canada Whalen, Natural Resources Canada Gallagher, Fisheries and Oceans (Mackenzie Mountains) (Herschel Island) Canada (Babbage River) Climate warming in northwest Are kokanee salmon spawning Getting to the bottom of the ca. 900 Canada during the Eocene earlier in Kluane National Park Ma Hematite Creek Group, Wernecke “greenhouse” interval: field research and Reserve? Mountains, Yukon in northern Yukon Principal investigator: Carmen Wong, Principal investigator: Galen Principal investigator: Alberto Reyes, Parks Canada (Sockeye Lake) Halverson, McGill University (Corn University of Alberta (Fifteen Mile River Creek and Mount Profeit) and Johnson Creek) Pleistocene palaeontology and palaeoenvironments of the Old Crow The effects of muskox on caribou GEM-2 Cordilleran Project: crustal Basin, northern Yukon in the Yukon North Slope and structure, southeast Yukon Principal investigator: Grant Zazula, Richardson Mountains* Principal investigator: Jim Ryan, Department of Tourism and Culture, Principal investigator: Murray Natural Resources Canada (McEvoy Government of Yukon (Old Crow River) Humphries, McGill University (Komakuk Lake and Whitehorse) Beach, Babbage River, Herschel Island and Shoalwater Bay) Subglacial drainage dynamics in the INTERNATIONAL St. Elias Mountains Fishing Branch River chum salmon Principal investigator: Christian Field equipment to support the habitat assessments Schoof, University of British Columbia launch of a Canadian Space Agency Principal investigator: William (Kaskawulsh Glacier and North Glacier) astronaut in Kazakhstan Josie, Vuntut Gwitchin Government Project lead: Canadian Space Agency (Eagle Plains) Van Tat Gwich’in Historic Lifeways (Moscow, Russia, and Baikonur, Project 2018–2019 Kazakhstan) GEM Cordillera Yukon tectonic Principal investigator: Shirleen Smith, evolution Vuntut Gwitchin Government (Upper Principal investigator: Dawn Kellett, Johnson Creek and Upper Caribou Natural Resources Canada (Atlin) Bar Creek)

60 Polar Continental Shelf Program SCIENCE REPORT 2018 Releasing a tagged char into the Coronation Gulf, Nunavut

Polar Continental Shelf Program SCIENCE REPORT 2018 61 Annex

PCSP Project Review Committee

The PCSP Project Review Committee (PRC) reviews and evaluates all logistics requests submitted by university-based researchers based on the PRC Scoring Guide. The guide includes four criteria: feasibility of the requested logistics; quality of the application; scientific recognition of the applicant; and student and local involvement and engagement. For more information regarding the review process for university applicants, contact the PCSP.

Members (2018)

Christopher Burn (Chair) Erica Nol Department of Geography and Biology Department Environmental Studies Trent University Carleton University Roger Paulen Michael Kristjanson Geological Survey of Canada Polar Continental Shelf Program Natural Resources Canada Natural Resources Canada Lyle Whyte A wide range of Micheline Manseau Department of Natural Resource Sciences Pleistocene fossils Landscape Science and Technology Division McGill University found along the Environment and Climate Change Canada Old Crow River, Yukon

62 Polar Continental Shelf Program SCIENCE REPORT 2018