Polythermal Glacier and Permafrost Hydrodynamic Interactions

永久冻土和冰川在加拿大北部广泛分布。大约一半的加拿大陆地被永久冻土覆盖，估计加拿大有大约10万个冰川。永久冻土和冰川都很容易受到气候变化的影响。不幸的是，人们对这两个系统之间的相互作用知之甚少，特别是水如何在它们内部和之间移动。气候变化对永久冻土和冰川水动力的影响更是知之甚少，尽管有可能对周围景观和下游环境产生巨大影响。这项研究将利用新的地球物理和遥感方法相结合，调查水如何通过北极冰川进入周围的永久冻土环境。本研究的研究区域位于加拿大北极地区东部Sirmilik国家公园的Bylot岛。拜洛特岛是进行这项研究的理想地点，因为它拥有丰富的冰川和厚厚的永久冻土，在许多方面都非常代表北极的许多其他地点。这项研究将涉及绘制冰川和周围永久冻土内的管道，追踪流经该系统的水流，定位被筑坝的地区，并确定冰川底部的水对冰川运动的影响。此外，由于冰川正在迅速退缩，我们将研究这种退缩如何影响水文系统。这项研究的最终结果将是一个新的永冻冰川水文系统的水动力模型，可供环境科学家和监管机构用于协助北方的发展和管理，并帮助他们了解气候变化的潜在影响。这项研究还将培训两名博士、四名硕士和一些本科生，使他们掌握应用地球物理和遥感方法以及北极实地研究。因此，这项研究将有助于满足对解决北方领土重大问题所需科学家的迫切需求。

Permafrost and glaciers are widespread in the Canadian North. Approximately half of the Canadian landmass is underlain by permafrost and there are estimated to be in the order of 100,000 glaciers in Canada. Both permafrost and glaciers are very susceptible to climatic change. Unfortunately, relatively little is known about the interaction between these two systems, specifically how water moves within and between them. The impact of climate change on permafrost and glacier hydrodynamics is even more poorly understood, even though there is the potential for dramatic affects to the surrounding landscape and downstream environments. This research will utilize a combination of new geophysical and remote sensing methods to investigate how water moves through Arctic glaciers and out into the surrounding permafrost environment. The study area for this research is on Bylot Island in Sirmilik National Park in the eastern Canadian Arctic. Bylot Island is an ideal location to undertake this research as it has abundant glaciers and thick permafrost, and in many ways is very representative of many other locations in the Arctic. The research will involve mapping conduits within the glaciers and surrounding permafrost and tracing water flow through the system, locating areas where it is being dammed up and determining the impact of water at the base of the glaciers in their movement. As well, since the glaciers are now quickly retreating, we will be examining how this retreat influences the hydrological system. The ultimate result of this research will be a new hydrodynamic model of the permafrost-glacier hydrologic system that can be used by environmental scientists and regulators to assist in northern development and management and help them understand potential impacts of climate change. This research will also result in the training of two PhD, four MSc and a number of undergraduate students in applied geophysical and remote sensing methods as well as Arctic field research. As such, this research will contribute to satisfying a urgent demand for scientists needed to address the significant issues of the northern territories.