Repairs and Upgrades for the Qikirtaarjuak Island Air-Ice-Ocean Observatory

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Oceans play an important role in determining the composition of our atmosphere. The majority of our oxygen was generated in the oceans, and a large percentage of the CO2 produced by industrial activities ends up in the oceans. Gas exchange is the process by which these gases cross the air-sea boundary, and we have a good understanding of how it works in the open ocean. However in polar seas, the presence of sea ice makes air-sea gas exchange extremely complicated. Since sea ice affects about 10% of global oceans, climate scientists need to know how greenhouse gases, like CO2, are exchanged in the presence of sea ice. Unfortunately, only a few studies have directly measured gas exchange in this environment due to the challenges of working in remote locations, and the expense of working on icebreakers.******Our research lab has developed an innovative approach to solve this problem. We built a weather station on a small island that is completely surrounded by sea ice in winter. This island is close to an Inuit community (Cambridge Bay, Nunavut), which makes it easier to maintain the station. At the station, we deployed instruments to measure CO2 exchange using the eddy covariance technique. Eddy covariance essentially works by counting CO2 molecules as they blow past the weather station on updrafts and downdrafts. It is the only suitable technique for this type of environment, because it measures an upwind surface (to about 1 km), without actually touching the surface. With this system, we have produced the first-ever measurements of CO2 exchange through a seasonal cycle of ice melt, open water, and freeze-up.******Unfortunately, this past spring our weather station was damaged by the unpredictable forces of nature. In less than 30 minutes, a northerly wind pushed ice floes onto the island, piling up a wall of ice that knocked the tower down. All of our eddy covariance instruments were damaged by the fall, and the tower itself was destroyed. This grant application will allow us to buy a new tower, repair the damaged instruments, and buy additional instruments to avoid future data interruptions.******With timely funding, the station can be rebuilt before next melt season, allowing students and postdoctoral fellows to continue their hands-on training, and complete their research projects. Rebuilding the station will also allow us to continue research initiatives linked to the local Inuit community. Working with community leaders, we use the station to test innovations that support Inuit research priorities like observing weather conditions, monitoring ship traffic, and listening for whales. We also use the station as part of a training program that develops Inuit environmental monitoring capacity, and facilitates cross-cultural collaboration between southern and northern HQPs. Rebuilding this station is critical for continuing our inclusive, innovative science program.