Expressions of Intent for International Polar Year 2007-2008 Activities

Expression of Interest Details

PROPOSAL INFORMATION

CANADA #62: Evaluation of thermal energy exchange potential, stability and carving stone resources of active salt structures in the Canadian Arctic Archipelago, Nunavut  (Study of heat energy, carving stone and rate of growth of rising salt domes in Nunavut)

Outline
More than 60 salt diapirs have been mapped in Axel Heiberg Island in the northern part of the Canadian Arctic Archipelago. These geological structures are made of rock salt (at depth), with exposed anhydrite and gypsum, and have risen as plastic, mobile masses intruding other rocks, and are exposed at the surface. Salt is relatively highly conductive of heat, and in several diapirs the thermal energy has melted permafrost and produced perennial salt springs of constant ca.+5oC temperature (e.g. Pollard et al. 1998; CJES 36 105-120). 1) Thermal energy. The project intends to evaluate the thermal energy released by these diapirs in terms of their possible utilization as geothermal heat sources for year-round research stations. We are compiling all existing records, and acquiring new data on the perennial springs of Axel Heiberg Island, and modelling the fluid flow systems in terms of heat utilization. 2) Growing diapirs. Field observations suggest that some of the diapirs are actively growing, having risen several hundred metres above the glaciated valleys since ice retreat, and appear to still be rising at rates of a 1-5 c/yr. A GIS of geology, geophysics and multispectral satellite data will be prepared, and interferometric processing of RADARSAT-1 and ERS synthetic aperture radar (SAR) data will be used to map the diapirs. We expect the hypothesised rate of movement of several cm/year will be detected by InSAR. We will survey sites (within and away from rising diapirs) where to install control stations where we will set geodetic GPS equipment in 2006 to be revisited in 2008. This project will be linked to "Mitigation of Polar Ionospheric Effects for GNSS Applications" submitted to IPY by Anna. B. O. Jensen. With improved ionospheric modelling, better positioning accuracies will be obtained, which in turn will benefit the monitoring of the diapirs. 3) Alabaster carving stone. The traditional carving stone for the Inuit is near exhaustion and must be imported. Anhydrite of alabaster quality is abundant in many of the growing diapirs, and we are testing the feasibility of using this alabaster as carving stone by carvers in the communities relatively near Axel Heiberg Island (Grise Fiord, Resolute). Blocks of alabaster with different colours and physical properties collected during the last 2 years will be sent to carvers in Nunavut, and on the basis of their evaluation, the areas more likely to yield utilizable and accessible alabaster will be ascertained.

What significant advance(s) in relation to the IPY themes and targets can be anticipated from this project?
The desert-like environment has preserved salt structures better than elsewhere in the world, and the interaction of permafrost with salt structures can be studied here best. We will investigate geothermal energy potential of theses sites, and provide abundant local carving stone that could supply the population of Nunavut for centuries.

What international collaboration is involved in this project?
So far we have Canadian and Danish participants. We have indications of interest from Iranian academics that are familiar with flowing salt structures in Iran.

FIELD ACTIVITY DETAILS

Geographical location(s) for the proposed field activities:
The work will be concentrated in the Expedition Fiord (active perennial springs) and Withsunder Bay (fossil springs) areas of Axel Heiberg Island.

Approximate timeframe(s) for proposed field activities:
Arctic: 06/05 – 08/05      06/06 – 08/06      06/07 – 08/08
Antarctic: n/a

Significant facilities will be required for this project:
The well-established McGill Research Station in Expedition Fiord will be utilized as base camp. McGill Geography Department is building temporary shelters near the perennial spring localities.

Will the project leave a legacy of infrastructure?
Possibly small research stations heated year-round by geothermal heat from the perennial springs.

How is it envisaged that the required logistic support will be secured?
Consortium

Has the project been "endorsed" at a national or international level?
This project is part of M. Zentilli’s Discovery Grant Proposal to NSERC for funding between 2005 and 2009. It is linked to IPY pre-proposal previously submitted by Anna B.O. Jensen called: "Mitigation of Polar Ionospheric Effects for GNSS Applications". The purpose of the project is improved modelling of the effects on GPS satellite signals caused by the ionosphere espeicially during auroral activity. With improved ionospheric modelling, better positioning accuracies will be obtained, which in turn will benefit the monitoring of the diapirs. It is also linked to pre-proposal by P. Budkewitsch (CCRS) and M-C. Williamson (GSC-Atlantic) and others: Ni-Cu-PGE mineralization potential in volcanic and intrusive rocks of the Sverdrup Basin Magmatic Province, Canadian Arctic Archipelago, Nunavut This pre-proposal has been reviewed and is being submitted by the Canadian Steering Committee (CSC). Ongoing discussions will integrate this pre-proposal into a larger network of related national and international initiatives. The CSC has initially sorted this pre-proposal into: Geoscience and New Technologies/ Challenges for Sustainable Resource Development

PROJECT MANAGEMENT AND STRUCTURE

Is the project a short-term expansion (over the IPY 2007-2008 timeframe) of an existing plan, programme or initiative or is it a new autonomous proposal?
New

New project, but builds upon 15 years of work on the diapirs by W.Pollard and F.Schwerdtner, and as many years of Arctic work by all other participants. The content of the project is part of Zentilli’s Discovery Grant proposal to NSERC, which if funded would be for 5 years.

How will the project be organised and managed?
The project will be organized by the PIs with various meetings, and managed by the individuals more able to attract funding.

What are the initial plans of the project for addressing the education, outreach and communication issues outlined in the Framework document?
We are approaching various carvers in Grise Fiord and Resolute, using as intermediary a former (2001) student field student assistant from Grise Fiord. We expect to involve the communities in gathering the carving stone from areas where we identify its suitability. One ex student field assistant (2001) from Grise Fiord is helping coordinate with the communities.

What are the initial plans of the project to address data management issues (as outlined in the Framework document?
All data gathered will be provided to a GIS database being prepared by the Geological Survey of Canada – Atlantic, and a dedicated webpage will be maintained from Dalhousie University

How is it proposed to fund the project?
M. Zentilli has applied for Discovery Grant funds (2005-2009) and a Northern Supplement, and has extant funds for interpretation from a NSERC CRD grant for studies of thermal anomalies associated with salt structures. Partial funding will come from W. Pollard’s current grants. Logistics will be provided by PCSP. We expect to have ca. $30,000/ year for this project, but special funding will be needed when we install the highly sensitive GPS instruments from Denmark in 2006 and subsequent years. IPY sponsorship will enhance our chances of increased funding.

Is there additional information you wish to provide?
None

PROPOSER DETAILS

Dr Marcos ZENTILLI
Department of Earth Sciences
LSC 3006
Halifax, Nova Scotia
B3H 4J1
Canada

Tel: (902) 494-3873
Mobile: no
Fax: (902) 494-6889
Email:

Other project members and their affiliation