Polythermal Glacier and Permafrost Hydrodynamic Interactions

永久冻土和冰川在加拿大北部分布广泛。加拿大大约一半的陆地被永久冻土层覆盖，据估计，加拿大大约有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流动。尽管气候变化可能对周围景观和下游环境产生巨大影响，但人们对永久冻土和冰川水动力学的影响却知之甚少。这项研究将利用新的地球物理和遥感方法的结合来调查水如何通过北极冰川并进入周围的永久冻土环境。这项研究的研究区域是加拿大东部北极地区Sirmilik国家公园的Bylot岛。拜洛特岛是进行这项研究的理想地点，因为它有丰富的冰川和厚厚的永久冻土层，在许多方面都非常具有北极许多其他地方的代表性。这项研究将包括绘制冰川内部和周围永久冻土的管道，追踪流经该系统的水流，定位正在筑坝的区域，并确定冰川底部的水在其移动过程中的影响。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久冻土-冰川水文系统的水动力学模型，它可以被环境科学家和管理者用来协助北方的开发和管理，并帮助他们了解气候变化的潜在影响。这项研究还将培养应用地球物理和遥感方法以及北极实地研究方面的两名博士、四名硕士和一些本科生。因此，这项研究将有助于满足解决北部领土重大问题所需的科学家的迫切需求。

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.