Dave McGuire and Eugenie Euskirchen from University of
Alaska, Fairbanks are here providing insight on the linkages between
observations and modeling, and Barrow native Reynold “RJ” Aveogna is providing
local knowledge about the BEO and surrounding environment while keeping watch
for bears. RJ also has an uncanny ability to find equipment that the LANL team
has lost. His tally so far includes my Blackberry and lens cap, and a handheld
GPS. Thank you RJ!
The biogeochemistry test beds include a range of subsurface saturated and unsaturated water chemistry sampling technologies to determine the most effective way to obtain dynamic in-situ water chemistry samples from within the active layer. After two days of field work the LANL team has completed the installation of 13 drive point samplers for the synoptic survey and the saturated sampling components of two test beds.
We’re using the runoff pathway data that Anna Liljedahl
and I collected during snowmelt in June to select sites for both the test beds
and the synoptic survey. The hydrologic status on the BEO has gone through a
dramatic transformation over the past 2 months, from highly inundated to
relatively dry, except for the soggy troughs.
Plot D, situated in a drained thaw lake basin which was
completely flooded in June is now saturated but with very little standing
water.
The LANL team was joined by NGEE collaborators Adina Paytan
and PhD student, Alanna Lecher, from University of California Santa Cruz on
Thursday. They are collecting water chemistry samples with an emphasis on
Radium and Radon to investigate shallow groundwater linkages between
terrestrial systems, lakes, and oceans. Some of their sample sites overlap with
NGEE plots and the regional scale synoptic water chemistry and isotope survey,
and have the potential to provide highly synergistic hydrologic flow path data.
The uppermost organic-rich portion of the active layer is very porous and
transmissive, which enables Adina’s crew to pump 50 to 100 liters of soil water
from a small soil pit through a filter to capture Radium and Radon in
sufficient concentrations for their study.
Collaboration had an immediate practical outcome for NGEE when the LANL
team borrowed one of Adina’s battery operated bilge pumps to clear fast flowing
soil water out of an auger hole so we could install a piezometer more
effectively. Thank you Adina!
Rich and the vegetation crew are also being very productive,
though they look a little bleary-eyed from spending all day in the field and
all night in the lab. The two teams met up for dinner last night at Northern
Lights where we caught a glimpse of the Olympics coverage while discussing
observations. Victoria was asked to do a interview at the local radio station,
KBRW, but due to the tight vegetation team schedule, I filled in for the 7:30am
program and provided an overview of the DOE SC TES project with an update of
the many activities being undertaken by the National labs, UAF and our
collaborators. I also did a “shout out” on the air to our wonderful UMIAQ
logistic providers. I am now the proud owner of a KBRW coffee mug and pin.
So far the field conditions have been quite good, and we are
grateful for wind, drizzle and a bit of cold weather since this is keeping the mosquitoes
away. Wildlife sitting by the NGEE team include: humongous mosquitoes, a beluga
whale, snowy owls and lemmings. We hope to see walrus and may get a chance if
the ice blows into shore with a storm on Saturday. Lodging in the new Herman
House location is very comfortable, and just a block from the grocery store. As
with every visit to Barrow, the folks at UMIAQ are incredible!
