A tribal-owned network of aerosol monitors and meteorological stations was installed at Ts’aahudaaneekk’onh Denh (Beaver), Gwichyaa Zheh (Fort Yukon), Jalgiitsik (Chalkyitsik), and Danzhit Khànlaii (Circle) in ...A tribal-owned network of aerosol monitors and meteorological stations was installed at Ts’aahudaaneekk’onh Denh (Beaver), Gwichyaa Zheh (Fort Yukon), Jalgiitsik (Chalkyitsik), and Danzhit Khànlaii (Circle) in the Yukon Flats, Alaska. Surface inversions occurred under calm wind conditions due to radiative cooling. In May, local emissions governed air quality with worst conditions related to road and river dust. As the warm season progressed, worst air quality was due to transport of pollutants from upwind wildfires. During situations without smoke or when smoke existed at layers above the surface inversion, concentrations of particulate matter of less than 2.5 micrometer in diameter or less (PM2.5) were explainable by the local emissions;24-h means remained below 25 μg·m-3. Absorption of solar radiation in the smoke layer and upward scattering enhanced stability and fostered the persistence of the surface inversions. During smoke episodes without the presence of a surface inversion, daily mean concentrations exceeded 35 μg·m-3 often for several consecutive days, at all sites. Then concentrations temporally reached levels considered unhealthy.展开更多
Mid-Cretaceous strata within the Tintina Trench, 3 km west of the community of Ross River, contain evidence of deposition in two distinct, alternating, fluvial settings. Coal-bearing, mud-dominated strata are commonly...Mid-Cretaceous strata within the Tintina Trench, 3 km west of the community of Ross River, contain evidence of deposition in two distinct, alternating, fluvial settings. Coal-bearing, mud-dominated strata are commonly associated with high-constructive sandy channel systems, with extensive overbank, levee and splay deposits. Channels are between 3 and 30 m wide and 0.4-7 m thick. They show repetitive development of side and in-channel bar-forms, as well as up-channel widening of the rivers by selective erosion of associated overbank and levee deposits. Levees extended for several hundred metres away from the channels. In this setting low-angle inclined stratification and epsilon cross stratification may reflect lateral migration of crevasse channels or small streams. The paucity of exposure prevents recognition of the channels as products of multiple channel anastomosed systems or single channel high-constructive systems. Gravel-dominated strata, inter-bedded with, and overlying coal-bearing units, are interpreted as deposits of wandering gravel-bed rivers, with sinuosity approaching 1.4. In most exposures they appear to be dominated by massive and thin planar-bedded granule to small pebble conglomerates, which would traditionally be interpreted as sheet-flood or longitudinal bar deposits of a high-gradient braided stream or alluvial fan. Architectural analysis of exposures in an open-pit shows that the predominance of flat bedding is an artefact of the geometry of the roadside exposures. In the pit the conglomerates are dominated by large scale cross stratification on a scale of 1-5.5 m. These appear to have developed as downstream and lateral accretion elements on side-bars and on in-channel bars in water depths of 2-12 m. Stacking of strata on domed 3rd order surfaces suggests development of longitudinal in-channel bar complexes similar to those observed in parts of the modern Rhone River system. Mudstone preserved in some of the channels reflects intervals of channel abandonment or avulsion. Minimum channel width is from 70 to 450 m.展开更多
The physical, chemical and biological attributes of the Yukon River and tributary basins impact soil erosion, sediment transport and sediment delivery. The glacier, snow and permafrost melting, runoff, erosion, transp...The physical, chemical and biological attributes of the Yukon River and tributary basins impact soil erosion, sediment transport and sediment delivery. The glacier, snow and permafrost melting, runoff, erosion, transport, deposition and storage of gravelly, sandy, silty and clayey sediments determine the habitat distribution and water quality within the river channels and floodplains. The ecological functioning, with food and nutrient delivery, migratory cues, breeding, habitats, and riparian and floodplain ecological cycles are all dependent on the transported sediment at specific times of the year. Annual temperatures have been rising since the 1840s which could contribute to higher runoff water flows and greater sedimentation. The primary objective was to document the sedimentation in the Yukon watershed with little soil erosion as a result of agriculture or urban development. The causes of the soil erosion and sedimentation were permafrost, alpine glacial melting, drilling for gas and oil, road construction, gold mining, cold war military sites, pipeline construction, forest fires and steep slopes.展开更多
The covered-ice breakup in subarctic to arctic rivers in the early snowmelt season often gives any damage to instruments monitoring physical and chemical factors of water. The serious condition has brought few time se...The covered-ice breakup in subarctic to arctic rivers in the early snowmelt season often gives any damage to instruments monitoring physical and chemical factors of water. The serious condition has brought few time series data during the snowmelt runoff except the river stage or discharge. In this study, the contribution of snowmelt runoff to the discharge and sediment load is quantified by monitoring water turbidity and temperature at the lowest gauging station of U. S. Geological Survey in the Yukon River, Alaska, for more than 3 years (June 2006 to September 2009). The turbidity was recorded by a self-recording turbidimeter with a sensor of infrared-ray back-scattering type, of which the window is cleaned by a wiper just before a measurement. The turbidity time series, coupled with frequent river water sampling at mid-channel, produce time series of suspended sediment (SS) concentration, particulate organic carbon (POC) concentration and particulate organic nitrogen (PON) concentration (mg?L–1) by using the high correlation (R2 = 0.747 to 0.790;P 11 to 2.01 × 1011 m3), 8.7% - 22.5% of the annual sediment load (3.94 × 107 to 5.08 × 107 ton), 11.6% - 23.7% of the annual POC flux (4.05 × 105 to 4.77 × 105 ton), and 10.3% - 24.5% of the annual PON flux (2.80 × 104 to 3.44 × 104 ton). In the snowmelt season, the peak suspended sediment concentration preceded the peak discharge by a few days. This probably results from the fluvial sediment erosion in the river channels.展开更多
Near-surface PM2.5 and meteorological observations were performed in three rural communities in the high latitude Yukon Flats valley at various times during the cold season (October to April). These data were synthesi...Near-surface PM2.5 and meteorological observations were performed in three rural communities in the high latitude Yukon Flats valley at various times during the cold season (October to April). These data were synthesized with data from other meteorological sites, NCEP reanalysis and MAIAC retrieved aerosol optical depths data to analyze the role of mesoscale processes and radiation on air quality. Under weak large-scale forcing mountain-valley circulations develop that are driven by the differences in insolation. During the long dark nights, radiative cooling occurs in the near-surface layer of the mountain slopes of the Brooks, Ogilvie and White Mountains Ranges and at the bottom of the valley. Here surface-based inversions (SBI)—known as roof-top inversions—forms, while the cold air drains from the slopes. A frontal wedge forms when the cold air slides over the relatively colder air in the valley. Drainage of cold air from the Brooks Range governed the circulation and cold air pooling in the valley. Concentrations during times with and without SBI differed significantly (at 95% confidence) at two sites indicating that local emissions were the major contributor. At the site, which is closest to the mountains, concentrations marginally changed in the presence of inversions. At all sites, 24-h mean PM2.5 remained below the National Ambient Air Quality Standard.展开更多
High-latitude ecosystems are exposed to more pronounced warming effects than other parts of the globe.We develop a technique to monitor ecological changes in a way that distinguishes climate influences from disturbanc...High-latitude ecosystems are exposed to more pronounced warming effects than other parts of the globe.We develop a technique to monitor ecological changes in a way that distinguishes climate influences from disturbances.In this study,we account for climatic influences on Alaskan boreal forest performance with a datadriven model.We defined ecosystem performance anomalies(EPA)using the residuals of the model and made annual maps of EPA.Most areas(88%)did not have anomalous ecosystem performance for at least 6 of 8 years between 1996 and 2004.Areas with underperforming EPA(10%)often indicate areas associated with recent fires and areas of possible insect infestation or drying soil related to permafrost degradation.Overperforming areas(2%)occurred in older fire recovery areas where increased deciduous vegetation components are expected.The EPA measure was validated with composite burn index data and Landsat vegetation indices near and within burned areas.展开更多
基金Tribal Resilience Program for financial support of this study.
文摘A tribal-owned network of aerosol monitors and meteorological stations was installed at Ts’aahudaaneekk’onh Denh (Beaver), Gwichyaa Zheh (Fort Yukon), Jalgiitsik (Chalkyitsik), and Danzhit Khànlaii (Circle) in the Yukon Flats, Alaska. Surface inversions occurred under calm wind conditions due to radiative cooling. In May, local emissions governed air quality with worst conditions related to road and river dust. As the warm season progressed, worst air quality was due to transport of pollutants from upwind wildfires. During situations without smoke or when smoke existed at layers above the surface inversion, concentrations of particulate matter of less than 2.5 micrometer in diameter or less (PM2.5) were explainable by the local emissions;24-h means remained below 25 μg·m-3. Absorption of solar radiation in the smoke layer and upward scattering enhanced stability and fostered the persistence of the surface inversions. During smoke episodes without the presence of a surface inversion, daily mean concentrations exceeded 35 μg·m-3 often for several consecutive days, at all sites. Then concentrations temporally reached levels considered unhealthy.
基金NSERC,Lithoprobe(Snorcle) and the Government of the Yukon for providing support for this research
文摘Mid-Cretaceous strata within the Tintina Trench, 3 km west of the community of Ross River, contain evidence of deposition in two distinct, alternating, fluvial settings. Coal-bearing, mud-dominated strata are commonly associated with high-constructive sandy channel systems, with extensive overbank, levee and splay deposits. Channels are between 3 and 30 m wide and 0.4-7 m thick. They show repetitive development of side and in-channel bar-forms, as well as up-channel widening of the rivers by selective erosion of associated overbank and levee deposits. Levees extended for several hundred metres away from the channels. In this setting low-angle inclined stratification and epsilon cross stratification may reflect lateral migration of crevasse channels or small streams. The paucity of exposure prevents recognition of the channels as products of multiple channel anastomosed systems or single channel high-constructive systems. Gravel-dominated strata, inter-bedded with, and overlying coal-bearing units, are interpreted as deposits of wandering gravel-bed rivers, with sinuosity approaching 1.4. In most exposures they appear to be dominated by massive and thin planar-bedded granule to small pebble conglomerates, which would traditionally be interpreted as sheet-flood or longitudinal bar deposits of a high-gradient braided stream or alluvial fan. Architectural analysis of exposures in an open-pit shows that the predominance of flat bedding is an artefact of the geometry of the roadside exposures. In the pit the conglomerates are dominated by large scale cross stratification on a scale of 1-5.5 m. These appear to have developed as downstream and lateral accretion elements on side-bars and on in-channel bars in water depths of 2-12 m. Stacking of strata on domed 3rd order surfaces suggests development of longitudinal in-channel bar complexes similar to those observed in parts of the modern Rhone River system. Mudstone preserved in some of the channels reflects intervals of channel abandonment or avulsion. Minimum channel width is from 70 to 450 m.
文摘The physical, chemical and biological attributes of the Yukon River and tributary basins impact soil erosion, sediment transport and sediment delivery. The glacier, snow and permafrost melting, runoff, erosion, transport, deposition and storage of gravelly, sandy, silty and clayey sediments determine the habitat distribution and water quality within the river channels and floodplains. The ecological functioning, with food and nutrient delivery, migratory cues, breeding, habitats, and riparian and floodplain ecological cycles are all dependent on the transported sediment at specific times of the year. Annual temperatures have been rising since the 1840s which could contribute to higher runoff water flows and greater sedimentation. The primary objective was to document the sedimentation in the Yukon watershed with little soil erosion as a result of agriculture or urban development. The causes of the soil erosion and sedimentation were permafrost, alpine glacial melting, drilling for gas and oil, road construction, gold mining, cold war military sites, pipeline construction, forest fires and steep slopes.
文摘The covered-ice breakup in subarctic to arctic rivers in the early snowmelt season often gives any damage to instruments monitoring physical and chemical factors of water. The serious condition has brought few time series data during the snowmelt runoff except the river stage or discharge. In this study, the contribution of snowmelt runoff to the discharge and sediment load is quantified by monitoring water turbidity and temperature at the lowest gauging station of U. S. Geological Survey in the Yukon River, Alaska, for more than 3 years (June 2006 to September 2009). The turbidity was recorded by a self-recording turbidimeter with a sensor of infrared-ray back-scattering type, of which the window is cleaned by a wiper just before a measurement. The turbidity time series, coupled with frequent river water sampling at mid-channel, produce time series of suspended sediment (SS) concentration, particulate organic carbon (POC) concentration and particulate organic nitrogen (PON) concentration (mg?L–1) by using the high correlation (R2 = 0.747 to 0.790;P 11 to 2.01 × 1011 m3), 8.7% - 22.5% of the annual sediment load (3.94 × 107 to 5.08 × 107 ton), 11.6% - 23.7% of the annual POC flux (4.05 × 105 to 4.77 × 105 ton), and 10.3% - 24.5% of the annual PON flux (2.80 × 104 to 3.44 × 104 ton). In the snowmelt season, the peak suspended sediment concentration preceded the peak discharge by a few days. This probably results from the fluvial sediment erosion in the river channels.
基金the Tribal Resilience Program,NASA grant#80NSSC19K0981 and the State of Alaska for financial support of this study
文摘Near-surface PM2.5 and meteorological observations were performed in three rural communities in the high latitude Yukon Flats valley at various times during the cold season (October to April). These data were synthesized with data from other meteorological sites, NCEP reanalysis and MAIAC retrieved aerosol optical depths data to analyze the role of mesoscale processes and radiation on air quality. Under weak large-scale forcing mountain-valley circulations develop that are driven by the differences in insolation. During the long dark nights, radiative cooling occurs in the near-surface layer of the mountain slopes of the Brooks, Ogilvie and White Mountains Ranges and at the bottom of the valley. Here surface-based inversions (SBI)—known as roof-top inversions—forms, while the cold air drains from the slopes. A frontal wedge forms when the cold air slides over the relatively colder air in the valley. Drainage of cold air from the Brooks Range governed the circulation and cold air pooling in the valley. Concentrations during times with and without SBI differed significantly (at 95% confidence) at two sites indicating that local emissions were the major contributor. At the site, which is closest to the mountains, concentrations marginally changed in the presence of inversions. At all sites, 24-h mean PM2.5 remained below the National Ambient Air Quality Standard.
文摘High-latitude ecosystems are exposed to more pronounced warming effects than other parts of the globe.We develop a technique to monitor ecological changes in a way that distinguishes climate influences from disturbances.In this study,we account for climatic influences on Alaskan boreal forest performance with a datadriven model.We defined ecosystem performance anomalies(EPA)using the residuals of the model and made annual maps of EPA.Most areas(88%)did not have anomalous ecosystem performance for at least 6 of 8 years between 1996 and 2004.Areas with underperforming EPA(10%)often indicate areas associated with recent fires and areas of possible insect infestation or drying soil related to permafrost degradation.Overperforming areas(2%)occurred in older fire recovery areas where increased deciduous vegetation components are expected.The EPA measure was validated with composite burn index data and Landsat vegetation indices near and within burned areas.
