Climate warming has induced rapid change in the ice-covered marine ecosystem of the high Arctic. This application is for an amendment to our current multiyear NRI licence (NRI#04 002 17R-M; NIRB 10YN014). The amendment will be to expand the region of study to Bathurst Inlet under the auspices of the same objectives in our original NRI licence, which are to investigate: (1) physical and biological processes controlling the timing of marine primary production, which has been hypothesized as an indicator of potential change in the ecosystem, (2) the influence of rivers and sea ice melt on the freshwater budget and organic carbon cycle in coastal bays near Cambridge Bay, and (3) microbial diversity in sea ice and seawater as it relates to in situ biogeochemical cycling and the potential microbial response to increased industrial activity, e.g., oil spills.

A core collaborator in this work is the Arctic Research Foundation (ARF), a private not-for-profit organization, who’s main objective is to support long-term Arctic sustainability through in part interdisciplinary research within the Kitikmeot Region. ARF recently developed self-sustaining portable research laboratories, called Mobile Marine-Archeology-Geology Network (M-MAG-N) labs. These labs were designed to run specifically on green energy, which includes wind and solar panel power.

The CAT-TRAIN-ICE project seeks to support a specific investigation of the role of tidal straits on biological production in the region. Tidal straits are waterways that constrict tidal current flow, causing currents to increase. The result is often a thinner ice cover, yet enhanced biological production within the strait. In fact, these sites are potentially the driving force for much of the primary production within this region and can serve as critical location for other higher order trophic levels, such as fish and other marine organisms. Our oceanographic investigation will make use of a cat-train and M-MAG-N labs to access tidal straits within Dease Strait and Bathurst Inlet. This unique opportunity will allow us to expand our current marine ecosystem monitoring and enable the study of spatial variability in tidal strait processes.

A map with targeted sampling transects CT1 to CT8 is located below. We note the cat-train will follow a path on the sea ice, but close to shore for safety purposes to deploy the M-MAG-N labs (See separate application NPC# 148438). To access the tidal strait sampling transects, snowmobiles (5-6) will be used including komatiks/sleds to carry sampling gear. Oceanographic sampling will occur over approximately 3 weeks between 15 April and 31 May 2017 (final dates to be determined). The following sample variables will be collected over the course of the expedition from ice cores and water samples: physical oceanic variables (temperature, salinity currents), nutrient concentration, chemical variables associated with ocean acidification (pH, dissolve inorganic carbon (DOC), total alkalinity, etc.) and algal photo-physiology and production.