Abstract
A cold-region watershed located in the discontinuous permafrost zone near Umiujaq (Nunavik, Canada) was studied in order to increase understanding of the subarctic water cycle and permafrost dynamics. This essay gives an overview of the research, summarised in a collection of six papers that: respectively characterize the physical three-dimensional cryo-hydrogeological system, present a detailed water balance of the watershed, characterize groundwater and surface-water hydrogeochemistry, describe the application of a tracer method to determine groundwater fluxes, develop a two-dimensional numerical model identifying impacts of groundwater flow on permafrost dynamics, and present a parameter sensitivity analysis. The work serves as a guide for developing site characterization plans at similar permafrost-impacted sites and for evaluating their groundwater resource potential.
Résumé
Un petit bassin versant situé dans la zone de pergélisol discontinu près d’Umiujaq (Nunavik, Canada) a été étudié afin de mieux comprendre le cycle de l’eau et améliorer les connaissances sur la dynamique du pergélisol dans un environnement subarctique. Cet essai présente le contexte dans lequel les articles contenus dans ce recueil thématique de six articles ont été réalisés, ainsi qu’un bref aperçu de leur contenu. Les articles abordent respectivement les thèmes suivants: la modélisation géologique 3D du système aquifère, la réalisation d’un bilan hydrique détaillé du bassin versant, la caractérisation hydrogéochimique des eaux souterraines et des eaux de surface, l’application d’une méthode de traçage pour quantifier les flux d’eau souterraine, la réalisation d’un modèle numérique 2D identifiant les impacts de l’écoulement des eaux souterraines sur la dynamique du pergélisol et présente une analyse de sensibilité des paramètres du modèle. Les travaux présentés pourront servir de guide pour l’élaboration de plans de caractérisation de sites dans des environnements similaires affectés par le pergélisol et pour évaluer leur potentiel d’exploitation des ressources en eaux souterraines.
Resumen
Se estudió una cuenca de la región fría situada en la zona discontinua del permafrost cercano a Umiujaq (Nunavik, Canadá) con el fin de mejorar la comprensión del ciclo de agua subártica y la dinámica del permafrost. Este ensayo ofrece una visión general de la investigación, resumida en una colección de seis trabajos que respectivamente caracterizan el sistema físico tridimensional crio-hidrogeológico, presentan un balance hídrico detallado de la cuenca, caracterizan la hidrogeoquímica de las aguas subterráneas y de las aguas superficiales, describen la aplicación de un método de monitoreo para determinar los flujos de agua subterránea, desarrollan un modelo numérico bidimensional que identifica los impactos del flujo de agua subterránea en la dinámica del permafrost y presentan un análisis de sensibilidad de los parámetros. El trabajo sirve como guía para desarrollar planes de caracterización de sitios en zonas similares impactados por el permafrost y para evaluar el potencial de sus recursos de agua subterránea.
摘要
为了提高对北极水循环和多年冻土动力学的认识, 以Umiujaq(加拿大Nunavik)附近的不连续多年冻土带中的寒区流域展开了研究。本文概述了该研究成果,共收集了六篇论文,分别表征了物理的三维低温水文地质系统,提出了详细的流域水量平衡,表征了地下水和地表水的水文地球化学,描述了利用示踪方法确定地下径流量的案例,建立二维数值模型以识别地下水流动对多年冻土动力机制的影响,并进行了参数敏感性分析。这项工作为制定类似的多年冻土影响区的场地特征规划以及评估其地下水资源潜力提供了参考。
Resumo
Uma bacia hidrográfica de região fria localizada na zona descontínua de pergelissolo próxima a Umiujaq (Nunavik, Canadá) foi estudada para aumentar a compreensão do ciclo da água subártica e da dinâmica do pergelissolo. Este ensaio fornece uma visão geral da pesquisa, resumida em uma coleção de seis artigos que caracterizam respectivamente o sistema criohidrogeológico tridimensional físico, apresentam um balanço hídrico detalhado da bacia hidrográfica, caracterizam a hidrogeoquímica das águas subterrâneas e das águas superficiais, descrevem a aplicação um método rastreador para determinar os fluxos de águas subterrâneas, desenvolvem um modelo numérico bidimensional identificando impactos do fluxo de águas subterrâneas na dinâmica do pergelissolo e apresentam uma análise de sensibilidade de parâmetros. O trabalho serve como um guia para o desenvolvimento de planos de caracterização de locais em regiões semelhantes impactadas pelo pergelissolo e para avaliar seu potencial de recursos de águas subterrâneas.
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This article is part of the topical collection “Hydrogeology of a cold-region watershed near Umiujaq (Nunavik, Canada)”
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Lemieux, JM., Fortier, R., Molson, J. et al. Topical Collection: Hydrogeology of a cold-region watershed near Umiujaq (Nunavik, Canada). Hydrogeol J 28, 809–812 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10040-020-02131-z
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10040-020-02131-z