Sunday, December 15, 2013

Eric Loring wins the APECS Canada - ASA Mentor Award 2013

APECS Canada and the ASA are happy to announce that Eric Loring is the inaugural recipient of the 2013 Mentor Award.

You can read more about the award and the award ceremony here:
Nominations are now open for the 2014 award, so start compiling those nomination packages now!

Jenn

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Jennifer Provencher
jenniferprovencher.com

Wednesday, December 11, 2013

Did you know....Giant Mine remediation

Le français suit...


From the Did you know series


The Giant Mine is a gold mine located next to Yellowknife in the NWT. The gold is associated with a mineral called arsenopyrite and during the extraction process arsenic vapours and sulphur dioxide are released. From 1949-1951 these were released into the air, until an underground chamber was constructed in the 1950s. Since then the mine has stored 237,000 tonnes of highly toxic arsenic trioxide dust in a network of large underground chambers that are surrounded by discontinuous permafrost. With warming climatic conditions and site disturbance the permafrost is now degrading. Some of the chambers are as big as a 10 story building. Without remediation, the dust could release 12,000 kg of arsenic per year into groundwater.


The Giant Mine Remediation Project plans to surround the contaminated chambers with freeze pipes and thermosyphons designed to create a "frozen block" around the chambers. The "Frozen Block Method" will both actively and passively freeze the rock surrounding these chambers such that the arsenic is contained. The owners, Royal Oak Mines, went bankrupt in 1999 and the remediation has been the responsibility of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada.  


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La mine Giant est une mine d'or située tout près de Yellowknife aux Territoires du Nord-Ouest. L'or est associé à un minéral nommé l'arsénopyrite et donc lors du processus d'extraction certaines vapeurs d'arsenic et de dioxyde de soufre sont libérées. Entre 1949-1951 ceux-ci ont été libérées dans l'air, depuis les années 50 la mine transformera la vapeur d'arsenic en poussière et l'enfouie donc sous la terre. Aujourd'hui, 237,000 tonnes de poussière hautement toxique de trioxyde d'arsenic y sont stocké. Le vaste réseau de chambres souterraines est entouré d'un pergélisol discontinu. Avec le réchauffement climatiques et la perturbation du site le pergélisol se dégrade lentement. Certaines des chambres sont aussi grandes qu'un immeuble de 10 étages. Sans assainissement la poussière pourrait libérer 12,000 kg d'arsenic dans les eaux souterraines.

Le projet de remédiation de la mine Giant prévoit d'entouré les chambres contaminés avec des tuyaux de congélation et de thermosiphons. Ceux-ci créeront un "bloc congelé" autour des chambres. La "méthode de congélation des blocs" congèlera à la fois activement et passivement la roche environnante de sorte que de l'arsenic y soit contenue. Les propriétaires, Royal Oak Mines , ont fait faillite en 1999 et le projet d'assainissement est maintenant la responsabilité des Affaires Autochtones et Développement du Nord Canada .

Pour plus d'informations :
http://www.aadnc-aandc.gc.ca/fra/1100100027364/1100100027365
http://northernadaptation.ca/sites/default/files/2_giant_mine_arsenic_remediation_-_mikes.pdf

Cette capsule "Saviez-vous" vous a été présentée par Alexandre Bevington
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Jennifer Provencher
jenniferprovencher.com

Friday, December 6, 2013

More from the "Did You Know Series"

Le fançais suit...

Hello Everyone, 

We have just a few more days until our ArcticNet gathering and to get you in the spirit we have one last fun fact for you: 

Did you know that there were five main ships involved in the Canadian Arctic Expedition? They were the ex-whaler named Karluk, and 4 schooners Mary Sachs, North Star, Polar bear and Alaska.


For more information about these vessels see: http://www.civilization.ca/cmc/exhibitions/hist/cae/nav70e.shtml


This "Did you know" was brought to you by Ann Balasubramaniam.
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Bonjour à tous! 


La réunion scientifique d'ArcticNet approche à grand pas, en anticipation de la semaine nous vous offrons un fait saillant de la science polaire canadienne : 


Saviez-vous que cinq navires étaient impliqués dans l'Expédition canadienne dans l'Arctique. Ils étaient l'ancien baleinier Karluk, et quatregoélettes Mary Sachs, North Star, Polar Bear et Alaska.

Pour plus d'informations sur les navires, visitez le lien suivant: http://www.civilization.ca/cmc/exhibitions/hist/cae/nav70f.shtml


Cette capsule «Le saviez-vous" vous a été présentée par Ann Balasubramaniam

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Ann

Tuesday, December 3, 2013

Webinar today, 3 pm Est Time: A Data Sharing Model from the IASOA Consortium: The Scientist-Centered Approach

A Data Sharing Model from the IASOA Consortium: The Scientist-Centered Approach

By Sandy Starkweather

 

When: December 3,3:00 pm Est Time 

 

Webinar registration link: https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/533427889  

Webinar ID: 533427889 + https://www2.gotomeeting.com/island/login.tmpl 

 

What the Meta with other peoples' Data?  If you have had problems finding the data you need or effectively using the data you find, this webinar is for you.  The International Arctic Systems for Observing the Atmosphere (IASOA) has listened closely to its science community to design an effective data access portal for flagship Arctic atmospheric observatories.  This portal uses a transparent place-based inventory of datasets from observatories around the Arctic, organized in terms our community understands.  We aim for the fewest clicks possible between our search engine and real data files.  Our approach to capturing dataset documentation (Metadata) is interoperable with relevant global archives and emphasizes non-duplication.  Even if you are not an atmospheric scientist, you will benefit from learning about this scientist-centered approach to effective dataset discovery and use.  Our system is constantly evolving.  Please join us and share your data searching pet peeves with us!

This work was jointly funded by the U.S. National Science Foundation and the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. 

 

Sandy Starkweather

Sandy is the Implementation Scientist for IASOA.  She applies her joint background in Arctic climatology and organizational management towards launching strategic initiatives and to best utilize Arctic observations and bring researchers together in collaborative endeavors.  Sandy spent 11 years conducting field work and managing field projects in Greenland, largely at Summit Station.  She too used to quiver at the word "metadata". 


--
Louise Chavarie
PhD Student, Ecology
University of Alberta
(780) 492-1298

Sunday, December 1, 2013

Did you know.....Arctic terns


Le fançais suit...
One more week until ArcticNet!!!
And from the Did you know series....

Did you know
that the Arctic tern has one of the longest migrations in the world! Individuals travel from the Canadian Arctic to the sub-Antarctic each year. Some have been clocked at 90,000 km, ANNUALLY!  And even though Arctic terns travel tens of thousands of kilometers each year they often return to the same colony as where they were born. Arctic terns can also live for more than 35 years (it is crazy to hold a bird that is older than you are!).

Arctic tern migration tracks!
A map shows the movement tracks of 11 Arctic terns.
Image from (http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2010/01/100111-worlds-longest-migration-arctic-tern-bird/, courtesy of Carsten Egevang)

This "Did you know" note was prepared by Jennifer Provencher.

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Une semaine de plus jusqu'à ce que ArcticNet!

Et
de la série Saviez-vous ....

Saviez-vous que la sterne arctique effectue l'une des plus longues migrations dans le monde? Les individus se déplacent de l'Arctique canadien au sub-Antarctique chaque annéeCertains individus voyagent plus de 90.000 km, TOUS LES ANS! Et même si les sternes arctiques voyagent des dizaines de milliers de kilomètres chaque année, ils reviennent souvent à la même colonie où ils sont nés. Les sternes arctiques peuvent également vivre plus de 30 ans, avec des individus bagués enregistrés aussi vieux que 35 ans (c'est fou de tenir un oiseau qui est plus vieux que vous!).

Les routes de migration des sternes arctiques
Pour plus d'informations sur comment chouettes les sternes arctiques sont, visitez ce lien:
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2010/01/100111-worlds-longest-migration-arctic-tern-bird/
et celui-ci
http://www.arctictern.info/


Cette capsule "saviez-vous" vous a été présentée par Jennifer Provencher
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Jennifer Provencher
jenniferprovencher.com