Canadian Arctic logistics in support of scientific initiatives

Marty BergmannDirector, Polar Continental Shelf Program, Natural Resources Canada

Presented at: Forum of Arctic Research Operators meeting - Nuuk, GreenlandApril 16, 2010

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Canada’s North: Challenges for field research

The vast expanse of the Canadian Arctic (>4,000,000 km2), varied terrain and extreme climate conditions make logistical operations difficult

Most field camps in the Canadian Arctic are located in remote areas that are accessible only by certain aircraft (e.g., Twin Otter and helicopter) or ice-capable ships

Field studies are costly but new government initiatives are improving northern research infrastructure and various northern logistics organizations can provide scientists with cost-effective field support Canada

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Canadian High Arctic Research Station (CHARS)

In 2007, the Government of Canada announced plans to build a world-class science facility in the Canadian High Arctic

A feasibility study has been completed by Indian and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC)

The location of the CHARS has been narrowed to three Nunavut communities: Resolute, Cambridge Bay or Pond Inlet

In Budget 2009, the Government of Canada announced $87M for the Arctic Research Infrastructure Fund

In Budget 2010, the Government of Canada announced $18M for the design of the CHARS

Details regarding logistical support for work at the CHARS have yet to be determined

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Information courtesy of INAC

Arctic Research Infrastructure Fund (ARIF)

Excerpt from the Government of Canada’s Budget 2009: “…new funding of up to 85 million for INAC to invest in upgrading key existing Arctic research facilities… providing a near-term economic stimulus while building a strong foundation for Arctic research capacity that supports government priorities… ensure a robust network of infrastructure is in place when the Canadian High Arctic Research Station opens”.

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Arctic Research Infrastructure Fund Projects

20 projects at 37 sites were selected for funding

Much needed investment to replace/renovate many facilities that represent a legacy to the last International Polar Year

Proponents had to mobilize quickly to deliver on two-year timeline P

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Churchill Northern Studies Centre

Nunavut Research Institute (NU)PCSP Resolute - design concept

Information and photos courtesy of INAC

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Map courtesy of INAC

Arctic Research Infrastructure Fund Projects (numbers cross-referenced with list on next slide)

Note: Map is for illustrative purposes only.

Arctic Research Infrastructure Fund – Project Sites

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Arctic Research Infrastructure Fund Recipients 1. Institute for Circumpolar Heath Research, Northwest TerritoriesProject Lead: Arctic Health Research Network, Northwest Territories

2. Arctic Migratory Bird Research NetworkProject Lead: Environment Canada

3. Aurora Research InstituteProject Lead: Aurora College

4. Centre d'études nordiques (CEN) - SAON NetworkProject Lead: Université Laval

5. Churchill Northern Studies CentreProject Lead: Churchill Northern Studies Centre

6. H. S. Bostock Geological Core LibraryProject Lead: Yukon Geological Survey

7. Health Canada Radiological Monitoring NetworkProject Lead: Health Canada

8. kANGIDLUASUk Base CampProject Lead: Nunatsiavut Government

9. Kluane Lake Research StationProject Lead: Arctic Institute of North America

10. Labrador Institute & Nunatsiavut Research CentreProject Lead: Government of Newfoundland and Labrador & Nunatsiavut Government

11. M'Clintock Channel Polar Bear Research CabinsProject Lead: Queen’s University

12. Nunavik Research CentreProject Lead: Makivik Corporation

13. Nunavut Research InstituteProject Lead: Nunavut Arctic College

14. Nunavut Research VesselProject Lead: Government of Nunavut

15. Old Crow Research FacilityProject Lead: Vuntut Gwitchin Government

16. Polar Continental Shelf Program Project Lead: Natural Resources Canada

17. Polar Environment Atmospheric LaboratoryProject Lead: Dalhousie University

18. Quttinirpaaq National ParkProject Lead: Parks Canada

19. Yukon CollegeProject Lead: Yukon College

20. Yukon ForestryProject Lead: Government of Yukon

Information courtesy of INAC

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Polar Continental Shelf Program (PCSP)

Detailed information on PCSP was provided at last year’s FARO meeting

• Most operations are based out of PCSP’s Resolute, Nunavut, facility, but aircraft services are also available from other key northern locations

Scientists can apply to PCSP annually for a range of services, including:

Twin Otter at Beechy Island, Nunavut

Air transportation (e.g., Twin Otters, helicopters)

Transit residence and meals at Resolute Field equipment from PCSP’s Technical Field

Support Services Fuel for aircraft, equipment and camps Communications network for all field camps

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PCSP’s clients

Researchers from the Canadian federal, territorial and provincial governments, universities, private organizations and international agencies can apply for PCSP logistical services each year in November

PCSP supports up to 200 research projects annually that include over 1100 scientists, students and field support personnel in disciplines ranging from archaeology to zoology

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PCSP-supported field camps (2009)

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PCSP Resolute Facility Expansion

PCSP received $11M from ARIF to expand the PCSP Resolute facility

This expansion will nearly double the capacity of the facility and provide more effective work space for researchers and staff

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PCSP’s work with the Department of National Defence

The Department of National Defence (DND) has a presence in Resolute for training operations and a planned Arctic Training Centre

With this presence, telecommunications abilities for PCSP will continue to increase

PCSP is working with DND regarding operations in Resolute and how best to meet common goals

The CF Canadian Air Division is now responsible for the Alert and Eureka military outposts on Ellesmere Island, Nunavut

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Canadian Arctic marine science logistics

Canadian Coast Guard (CCG) icebreakers are the backbone to vessel-based research in the Canadian Arctic

CCG works with the National Centre for Arctic Aquatic Research Excellence (NCAARE, Fisheries and Oceans Canada) for overall planning of the ships

Currently, eight of CCG’s fleet of 18 icebreakers operate in Canada’s North and have provided support for science programs

The duration of science programs varies by ship and by year Programs last a few days to a few months each year, and sometimes over-wintering

projects are conducted

Icebreakers typically begin their Arctic cruises in mid-June to mid-July and return to their southern ports by October to mid-November, depending on programming needs and ship capabilities

Information courtesy of NCAARE, DFO

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Science programs on CCG ships

Ship-based scientific activities range from marine biology and oceanography to seabed geology

Main types of scientific activities on CCG icebreakers: Mooring and ice buoy recovery/deployment Underway water collection CTD/Rosette

• Current major programs: Joint Ocean Ice Study Canada’s United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) Program

Arctic Mooring Program ArcticNet on CCGS Amundsen

Current sampling programs : Canada’s Three Oceans Barrow Strait Ecosystem Study

Information courtesy of NCAARE, DFO

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The CCGS The CCGS AmundsenAmundsen: a Canadian research icebreaker for : a Canadian research icebreaker for international collaboration in the study of the changing Arctic international collaboration in the study of the changing Arctic

ArcticNet is a Canadian Network of Centres of Excellence that brings together researchers in the natural, human health and social sciences with Inuit organizations, northern communities, and federal, provincial and private sector agencies to study the impacts of climate change in the coastal Canadian Arctic

Within ArcticNet, over 110 researchers from 27 Canadian universities, and 8 federal and 11 provincial organizations collaborate with scientists from 12 countries

Marine science and some community-based work is conducted aboard the CCGS Amundsen

Information courtesy of ArcticNet

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Barge

Halftrack

Paleo/benthos labs

10 ton A-frame & 500hp winch

CTD-Rosette deployment area, A-frame, 40 hp

winch

733 Zodiac

AFT labs

MVP300

8 Ton Deck cranes

Helodeck

Moonpool, acoustic well & EM300 sounder

60hp Winch

Lab containers

Information courtesy of ArcticNet

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Providing major access to the Arctic for the Canadian and international scientific community since its inauguration in 2003

Providing major access to the Arctic for the Canadian and international scientific community since its inauguration in 2003

2003 - 2008 Cruise Tracks

ArcticNet and CCGS Amundsen – Cruise Tracks 2003-2008

Information courtesy of ArcticNet

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Providing major access to the Arctic for the Canadian and international scientific community since its inauguration in 2003

Providing major access to the Arctic for the Canadian and international scientific community since its inauguration in 2003

2009 & 2010 Cruise Tracks

(Planned)

ArcticNet and CCGS Amundsen – Cruise Tracks 2009-2010

Information courtesy of ArcticNet

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20032003 20042004 20052005 20062006 20072007 20082008

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YearYear

390 days overwintering expedition

390 days overwintering expedition

448 days overwintering expedition

448 days overwintering expedition

CCGS Amundsen – Support for recent Arctic research programs 1300 days of dedicated scientific operations over 8 years or 163 days per year on average Supported 2 major international overwintering studies in the Beaufort Sea (CASES & CFL) Supported science teams from 15 countries Visited all Canadian coastal Inuit communities as part of an international Inuit Health

Survey

Information courtesy of ArcticNet

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Logistical support for Canadian Arctic research

Ongoing initiatives by the federal government are actively improving northern infrastructure in support of Canadian Arctic science

International programs and MOUs (e.g., Canada and the United Kingdom, PCSP and northern Canadian colleges) play important roles in the further evolution of Canadian Arctic science

There is more work to be done, as there is a significant gap between the logistical support requested by scientists and what can be afforded by logistical operators