Outreach and disseminations activities in North Slope of Alaska: how to build trust between local communities and arctic researchers

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kaare Sikuaq Erickson ◽  
Donatella Zona ◽  
Marco Montemayor ◽  
Walter Oechel ◽  
Terenzio Zenone
Keyword(s):  
Common Ground ◽  
Local Community ◽  
Local Communities ◽  
The Arctic ◽  
North Slope ◽  
Science Fair ◽  
Methane Cycle ◽  
The North ◽  
North Slope Of Alaska ◽  
The University

<p>The Alaskan Ukpeaġvik Iñupiat Corporation (UIC) is promoting and financilally supporting, with the contribution of the US National Science Foundation (NSF) and local organizations, outreach and dissemination events, in the form of science fair for the local communities in North Slope of Alaska. The science fair is part of a larger effort by UIC Science to bring coordination and collaboration to science outreach and engagement efforts across Arctic Alaska. The purpose is to provide a positive space for Arctic researchers and Arctic residents to meet, eat with each other, spend time, and to inspire the youth of the Arctic by providing fun and educational activities that are based in science and traditional knowledge. The Science Fair 2019 hosted by the Barrow Arctic Research Center (BARC) included three days of youth and family-friendly activities related to “Inupiat Knowledge about Plants” led by the College Inupiat Studies Department, “Eco-chains Activity” hosted by the North Slope Borough Office of Emergency Management, “Big Little World: Bugs Plants, and Microscopes” hosted by the National Ecological Observatory Network, “Microplastics in the Arctic” hosted by the North Slope Borough Department of Wildlife Management, “BARC Scavenger Hunt” hosted by UIC Science, “Our Role in the Carbon and Methane Cycle” hosted by the University of Texas El Paso (UTEP) and San Diego State University, and “How Permafrost Works” hosted by the University of Alaska, Fairbanks, Geophysical Institute. Each day hundreds of students, from both the local community and the science community came together to take part in mutually beneficial engagement: students from Utqiaġvik were excited about science and now know of the realistic and fulfilling careers in research that takes place in their backyard. The Utqiaġvik community members and elders now have a better idea of the breadth of research that takes place in and near their home. The locals, especially the elders, are very concerned about the drastic changes in our environment: scientists share these concerns, and the discussions during the fair was a chance to recognize this common ground. Breaking the ice between Arctic researchers and residents can lead to endless opportunities for collaboration, sharing ideas, and even lifelong friendships.</p><p> </p><p> </p>

scholarly journals The influence of local oil exploration and regional wildfires on summer 2015 aerosol over the North Slope of Alaska

2018 ◽  
Vol 18 (2) ◽  
pp. 555-570 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jessie M. Creamean ◽  
Maximilian Maahn ◽  
Gijs de Boer ◽  
Allison McComiskey ◽  
Arthur J. Sedlacek ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cloud Microphysics ◽  
Department Of Energy ◽  
The Arctic ◽  
North Slope ◽  
The North ◽  
The Us ◽  
Range Transport ◽  
North Slope Of Alaska ◽  
Atmospheric Radiation Measurement ◽  
Arctic Atmosphere

Abstract. The Arctic is warming at an alarming rate, yet the processes that contribute to the enhanced warming are not well understood. Arctic aerosols have been targeted in studies for decades due to their consequential impacts on the energy budget, both directly and indirectly through their ability to modulate cloud microphysics. Even with the breadth of knowledge afforded from these previous studies, aerosols and their effects remain poorly quantified, especially in the rapidly changing Arctic. Additionally, many previous studies involved use of ground-based measurements, and due to the frequent stratified nature of the Arctic atmosphere, brings into question the representativeness of these datasets aloft. Here, we report on airborne observations from the US Department of Energy Atmospheric Radiation Measurement (ARM) program's Fifth Airborne Carbon Measurements (ACME-V) field campaign along the North Slope of Alaska during the summer of 2015. Contrary to previous evidence that the Alaskan Arctic summertime air is relatively pristine, we show how local oil extraction activities, 2015's central Alaskan wildfires, and, to a lesser extent, long-range transport introduce aerosols and trace gases higher in concentration than previously reported in Arctic haze measurements to the North Slope. Although these sources were either episodic or localized, they serve as abundant aerosol sources that have the potential to impact a larger spatial scale after emission.

scholarly journals Policing the Arctic: The North Slope of Alaska

1994 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 95-108
Author(s):  
Lawrence C. Trostle ◽  
John E. Angell
Keyword(s):  
The Arctic ◽  
North Slope ◽  
The North ◽  
North Slope Of Alaska

scholarly journals The influence of local oil exploration, regional wildfires, and long range transport on summer 2015 aerosol over the North Slope of Alaska

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jessie M. Creamean ◽  
Maximilian Maahn ◽  
Gijs de Boer ◽  
Allison McComiskey ◽  
Arthur J. Sedlacek ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Long Range ◽  
Cloud Microphysics ◽  
Department Of Energy ◽  
The Arctic ◽  
North Slope ◽  
Long Range Transport ◽  
The North ◽  
Range Transport ◽  
North Slope Of Alaska ◽  
Arctic Atmosphere

Abstract. The Arctic is warming at an alarming rate, yet the processes that contribute to enhanced warming are not well understood. Arctic aerosols have been targeted in studies for decades due to their consequential impacts on the energy budget directly and indirectly through their ability to modulate cloud microphysics. Even with the breadth of knowledge afforded from these previous studies, aerosols and their effects remain poorly quantified, especially in the rapidly-changing Arctic. Additionally, many previous studies involved use of ground-based measurements, and due to the frequent stratified nature of the Arctic atmosphere, brings into question the representativeness of these datasets aloft. Here, we report on airborne observations from the U.S. Department of Energy Atmospheric Radiation Measurement (ARM) program's Fifth Airborne Carbon Measurements (ACME-V) campaign along the North Slope of Alaska during the summer of 2015. Contrary to previous evidence that the Alaskan Arctic summertime air is relatively pristine, we show how local oil extraction activities, 2015’s central Alaskan wildfires, and to a lesser extent, long-range transport introduce aerosols and trace gases higher in concentration than previously reported in Arctic haze measurements to the North Slope. Although these sources were either episodic or localized, they serve as abundant aerosol sources that have the potential to impact a larger spatial scale after emission.

scholarly journals Remote Sensing-Based Statistical Approach for Defining Drained Lake Basins in a Continuous Permafrost Region, North Slope of Alaska

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (13) ◽  
pp. 2539
Author(s):  
Helena Bergstedt ◽  
Benjamin M. Jones ◽  
Kenneth Hinkel ◽  
Louise Farquharson ◽  
Benjamin V. Gaglioti ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Remote Sensing ◽  
Statistical Approach ◽  
Wildlife Habitat ◽  
The Arctic ◽  
North Slope ◽  
Landsat 8 ◽  
The North ◽  
North Slope Of Alaska ◽  
Permafrost Regions ◽  
Lake Basins

Lake formation and drainage are pervasive phenomena in permafrost regions. Drained lake basins (DLBs) are often the most common landforms in lowland permafrost regions in the Arctic (50% to 75% of the landscape). However, detailed assessments of DLB distribution and abundance are limited. In this study, we present a novel and scalable remote sensing-based approach to identifying DLBs in lowland permafrost regions, using the North Slope of Alaska as a case study. We validated this first North Slope-wide DLB data product against several previously published sub-regional scale datasets and manually classified points. The study area covered >71,000 km2, including a >39,000 km2 area not previously covered in existing DLB datasets. Our approach used Landsat-8 multispectral imagery and ArcticDEM data to derive a pixel-by-pixel statistical assessment of likelihood of DLB occurrence in sub-regions with different permafrost and periglacial landscape conditions, as well as to quantify aerial coverage of DLBs on the North Slope of Alaska. The results were consistent with previously published regional DLB datasets (up to 87% agreement) and showed high agreement with manually classified random points (64.4–95.5% for DLB and 83.2–95.4% for non-DLB areas). Validation of the remote sensing-based statistical approach on the North Slope of Alaska indicated that it may be possible to extend this methodology to conduct a comprehensive assessment of DLBs in pan-Arctic lowland permafrost regions. Better resolution of the spatial distribution of DLBs in lowland permafrost regions is important for quantitative studies on landscape diversity, wildlife habitat, permafrost, hydrology, geotechnical conditions, and high-latitude carbon cycling.

scholarly journals The Future of Hydrocarbon Development in Greenland: Perspectives from Residents of the North Slope of Alaska

ARCTIC ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 71 (4) ◽  
pp. 365-374
Author(s):  
Anne Merrild Hansen ◽  
Ross A. Virginia
Keyword(s):  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Political Influence ◽  
Well Being ◽  
The Arctic ◽  
North Slope ◽  
Subsistence Hunting ◽  
The North ◽  
North Slope Of Alaska ◽  
Hydrocarbon Development

 Although Greenland has pursued hydrocarbon development over the last four decades, no viable reserves have been found to date. Therefore, local Greenland communities have little experience or knowledge of how such development might affect their way of life or how to influence project development and outcomes should a significant reserve be found. On the North Slope of Alaska, in contrast, hydrocarbon extraction was commercialized in the 1970s, and the industry is now highly developed. North Slope residents have experienced dramatic influences on their everyday lives and well-being as a result of large-scale hydrocarbon projects. Some consequences have been welcomed, such as economic development and higher employment rates; however, other impacts are harmful, such as reduced ability of local peoples to maintain subsistence hunting practices. The villages on Alaska’s North Slope share many features in common with settlements in Greenland, such as small size, isolation, and limited political influence. In this study, we explore how Greenlanders might learn from the Alaska experience by examining the comments of North Slope residents. We propose that increased local-to-local recommendation-sharing across the Arctic would better guide sustainable development practices and benefits into potential future projects in Greenland. We conclude that an Arctic “Community Guide” and the process to create one could improve planning and implementation of hydrocarbon projects across the Arctic and promote locally appropriate sustainable development in the affected communities.

scholarly journals Laurentian origin for the North Slope of Alaska: Implications for the tectonic evolution of the Arctic

Lithosphere ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 5 (5) ◽  
pp. 477-482 ◽  
Author(s):  
Justin V. Strauss ◽  
Francis A. Macdonald ◽  
John F. Taylor ◽  
John E. Repetski ◽  
William C. McClelland
Keyword(s):  
Tectonic Evolution ◽  
The Arctic ◽  
North Slope ◽  
The North ◽  
North Slope Of Alaska

Floating Ice Road Construction

1983 ◽  
Vol 105 (1) ◽  
pp. 26-29 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. G. Finucane ◽  
R. L. Scher
Keyword(s):  
Sea Ice ◽  
Road Construction ◽  
The Arctic ◽  
North Slope ◽  
Performance Tests ◽  
The Past ◽  
The North ◽  
North Slope Of Alaska ◽  
Drilling Operations ◽  
Exploration Drilling

During the winter of 1980–81, Exxon built about 16 km of floating ice roads in the Beaufort Sea off the north slope of Alaska. These roads were used to haul gravel and other materials for the construction of four offshore drillsites and to provide logistical support to subsequent exploration drilling operations. Ice roads over tundra and grounded lake or sea ice have been used for many years in the Arctic. Over the past three years, exploration activities have progressed offshore to water depths where the sea ice is floating. This paper summarizes the procedures, equipment, and production rates achieved during the construction of our 1980–81 winter floating ice roads. Also presented are the results of performance tests on some of the various auger pumping systems presently available.

Use of, and limits to telecommunications supporting Spill Response in the Arctic

2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 (1) ◽  
pp. 281407
Author(s):  
Jim White
Keyword(s):  
Oil Spill ◽  
High Frequency ◽  
Satellite Communications ◽  
The Arctic ◽  
North Slope ◽  
Incident Command ◽  
The North ◽  
Response Network ◽  
North Slope Of Alaska ◽  
Oil Spill Response

The ability to exchange critical information across a broad spectrum of users is the success of a response. Communicating on the North Slope of Alaska is a technical challenge. One of the most critical elements supporting any Contingency Response is telecommunications (telecom). Telecom, as an issue rears its head after almost every exercise or real world response situation. It never seems to matter what type of event the response is supporting, the location of the response or weather that is occurring. Telecom continues to come up as a 'lessons learned'. Recent technological advances (Last 15–20 Years) have resolved some older, yet lingering issues, (e.g. SATCOM, Fiber Optics, Digitization, and the Internet). That said, trying to communicate over an area covering tens-of-thousands of square miles in some of the harshest, most remote regions on the planet is at the very least - demanding. Technically, in many regions, telecom issues can be fairly easy to resolve. In the Arctic, several factors as well as weather play a major part in our ability to respond to an incident. Many areas are not accessible on a road system. Ice roads provide seasonal, temporary access. When ice roads are not available then various aircraft can be utilized. Some sites may only be accessible via specialized vehicles treading lightly on the tundra or that displace the tons of equipment over a broad area for frozen pond, lake and river crossings, minimizing environmental impact. To meet the challenge of Spill Response on the North Slope of Alaska, Alaska Clean Seas and its member companies have developed and employ a network of Very High Frequency (VHF), Ultra-High Frequency (UHF), Cellular, Microwave, and SATellite COMmunications (SATCOM) Systems. A recent Federal Communications Commission directive to reduce bandwidth usage forced the modernization of Alaska's Oil Spill Response Network. The nationwide requirement enables the same number of users to occupy half the frequency spectrum. Alaska is unique in that the entire State's Oil Spill Response Network shares the same frequencies and compatible equipment. This enables the cooperatives to seamlessly support each another. One of the obvious reasons that telecom becomes an issue is non-standardized exchange of ideas, recommendations, or commands. User unfamiliarity with telecom devices (radios, speaker microphones) also contributes to communication barriers. Use of jargon, ten codes and often cultural references can inhibit needed messages from being received as expected. This can easily be improved through Incident Command System training

Mobile Treatment and Rehabilitation Enclosure (MTRE) for small pinnipeds

2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 (1) ◽  
pp. 300054
Author(s):  
Brett Long ◽  
Chip Arnold ◽  
Carrie Goertz ◽  
Lee Majors
Keyword(s):  
Oil Spill ◽  
Marine Mammals ◽  
Life Support ◽  
The Arctic ◽  
North Slope ◽  
Mutual Aid ◽  
Term Care ◽  
The North ◽  
Care Groups ◽  
North Slope Of Alaska

The North Slope of Alaska is a demanding and harsh environment. Being prepared for an oil spill involving wildlife in this region requires training, innovation, and partnerships. For the past three years animal care groups, industry oil spill response organizations, and federal agencies have been collaborating to prepare for such an event. Protocol development is an essential and initial process to accomplish response goals. In 2011, protocols were developed for the care of oiled affected phocid seals in Alaska, focusing on the need for remote, deployable operations in the arctic. While developing these protocols, authors drew from their experiences caring for pinnipeds at their facility as well as from involvement in the statewide marine mammal stranding network. As the only institution authorized to rehabilitate stranded marine mammals in Alaska, we are uniquely positioned to assist in mitigating risks associated with possible oil exposure to these animals. Finding resources to treat oiled wildlife is a challenge on the North Slope, especially for medium to long term care. With that in mind, we designed and developed a Mobile Treatment and Rehabilitation Enclosure (MTRE). This deployable enclosure and pool with a life support system meets Animal Welfare Act holding specifications for small pinnipeds including harbor seals, spotted seals, ringed seals, and ribbon seals. The enclosure is designed to be assembled by 2 to 4 individuals and ready for use within 12 hours. While it is purpose built for small pinnipeds it would also be appropriate for short term, triage care of other marine mammals such as walrus calves, polar bear cubs, and sea otters. As a test of our oiled pinniped protocols and the MTRE this system was deployed during the mutual aid drill on the North Slope in August of 2013.

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