Sedimentary Characteristics, Biological Zonation and Physical Processes of the Tidal Flats of Iqaluit, Nunavut

Dale, Janis E.; Leech, Shannon R.; McCann, S. B.; Samuelson, Glenda M.

doi:10.1007/978-94-017-2037-3_10

Cited by 15 publications

(20 citation statements)

References 13 publications

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“…There are no extensive tidal flats on this island. Of the sites studied, only the more protected Bunny Nose transect would appear to have the flat expanse and location that could under the right conditions develop the sedimentary zonation more typical of tidal flat formation in the Arctic (Martini, 1991;Dale et al, 2002). At present the thin deposits of very fine sand to very fine silt were too poorly sorted and fined only in a seaward direction to be considered a tidal flat.…”

Section: Intertidal Sedimentary Environmentmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Since many of the polychaetes species survive only for a single season (Pettibone, 1963;Curtis, 1977;Fauchald and Jumars, 1979). Opportunistic species have been reported to appear literally overnight in sediments after the sea ice has disappeared (Dale et al, 2002). The earlier disappearance of the sea ice, and sampling a few weeks later in the summer season may account for the apparent increase in number.…”

Section: Subtidal Invertebratesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Our knowledge of these systems is still rudimentary, with relatively little work and few long-term studies in arctic Canada. The few marine research sites are far apart leaving large gaps in our current database (Dunbar, 1951;Ellis, 1955Ellis, , 1960Aitken and Gilbert, 1986;Dale et al, 1989;Aitken and Gilbert, 1996;Dale et al 2002). This is the first detailed study of the oceanographic conditions and distribution of sediments and biota in the intertidal and subtidal zones of Igloolik Island, Nunavut.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Sediments and Biota of the Marine Coastal Zone of Igloolik Island, Nunavut

Dale

Leontowich²

2007

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Few studies in arctic Canada have combined research on both the physical marine environment and benthic invertebrates. This is the first detailed study of the oceanographic conditions and distribution of sediments and biota in the intertidal and subtidal zones of Igloolik Island, Nunavut. Oceanographic measurements (temperature, salinity, dissolved oxygen, turbidity), and sediment and biological sampling were undertaken over two summers (1999, 2002). Intertidal zones are underlain by bedrock with a thin veneer of gravel with a very poorly sorted fine matrix and devoid of benthic invertebrates, due to harsh environmental conditions. Ninety-six benthic invertebrates species were identified in the subtidal zone of Turton Bay, a shallow embayment of Igloolik Island that opens to the south into Hooper Inlet. Oceanographic conditions were similar throughout Turton Bay. The shallow depth of Turton Bay (<25 m) and open fetch to the south means that the bay water is well mixed throughout during the ice-free period. Variations in species, abundances and densities result from local conditions and substrate characteristics. Subtidal areas with unconsolidated substrates have abundant and diversified benthic fauna, whereas those with consolidated substrates have more limited species dominated by epifauna. The greatest abundances and densities occur at the deepest sites with the finest sediments and deposit-feeding species. The shallow subtidal zone (<5 m) is characterized by a thin sandy surface veneer overlying bedrock. It is an extension of the intertidal zone and is much affected by ice action during break-up with reduced numbers of marine fauna. High densities of opportunistic and pollution tolerant species along transects in Turton Bay are explained by the outflow and seepage from the sewage lagoon and dumpsites proximal to these transects.Sédiments et invertébrés de la zone marine côtière de l’île d’Igloolik, Nunavut. Peu d’études menées dans l’arctique canadien combinent les données sur l’environnement physique marin et les invertébrés. Ceci est la première étude détaillée portant sur les conditions océanographiques et la distribution des sédiments et des invertébrés dans les zones intertidales et subtidales de l’île d’Igloolik, Nunavut. Les mesures océanographiques (température, salinité, oxygène dissous, turbidité) et l’échantillonnage des sédiments et des invertébrés ont été menées durant les étés de 1999 et 2002. Les zones intertidales reposent sur de la roche en place avec un mince placage de graviers faiblement triés, exempts d’invertébrés à cause des conditions environnementales rigoureuses. Quatre-vingt-seize espèces d’invertébrés marins ont été identifiées dans la zone sub-tidale de Turton Bay, une baie peu profonde qui se déverse au sud dans Hooper Inlet. La faible profondeur de la baie (<25 m) et son ouverture vers le sud signifie que l’eau est bien mélangée sur toute sa profondeur, pendant la période sans glace. Les variations d’espèces, d’abondance et de densité sont le résultat des conditions locales et de...

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Section: Intertidal Sedimentary Environmentmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Subtidal Invertebratesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Sediments and Biota of the Marine Coastal Zone of Igloolik Island, Nunavut

Dale

Leontowich²

2007

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“…The rate of downcutting on the tidal flats is unclear. Sediment movement is dominated by sea ice dynamics (McCann et al, 1981;McCann and Dale, 1986;Leech, 1998;Dale et al, 2002). Ice prevails for an average of nine months of the year.…”

Section: Environmental Settingmentioning

confidence: 99%

Exposure to Coastal Hazards in a Rapidly Expanding Northern Urban Centre, Iqaluit, Nunavut

Hatcher¹,

Forbes²

2015

ARCTIC

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ABSTRACT. The City of Iqaluit, Nunavut, is an expanding urban centre with important infrastructure located in the coastal zone. This study investigates the exposure of this infrastructure to coastal hazards (rising mean sea level, extreme water levels, wave run-up, and sea ice). Using a coastal digital elevation model, we evaluate the inundation and flooding that may result from projected sea level rise. Some public and private infrastructure is already subject to flooding during extreme high water events. Using a near upper-limit scenario of 0.7 m for relative sea level rise from 2010 to 2100, we estimate that critical infrastructure will have a remaining freeboard of 0.3-0.8 m above high spring tide, and some subsistence infrastructure will be inundated. The large tidal range, limited over-water fetch, and wide intertidal flats reduce the risk of wave impacts. When present, the shorefast ice foot provides protection for coastal infrastructure. The ice-free season has expanded by 1.0-1.5 days per year since 1979, increasing the opportunity for storm-wave generation and thus exposure to wave run-up. Overtopping of critical infrastructure and displacement by flooding of subsistence infrastructure are potential issues requiring better projections of relative sea level change and extreme high water levels. These results can inform decisions on adaptation, providing measurable limits for safe development.Key words: Arctic coast; adaptation planning; infrastructure; sea level rise; flooding; sea ice; climate change; coastal management RÉSUMÉ. La ville d'Iqaluit, au Nunavut, est un centre urbain en plein essor doté d'infrastructures importantes sur la zone côtière. Cette étude se penche sur l'exposition de cette infrastructure aux risques côtiers (niveau de la mer montant, niveaux d'eau extrêmes, vagues et glace de mer). À l'aide d'un modèle numérique de l'élévation côtière, nous évaluons les inondations et les submersions susceptibles de découler de la montée projetée du niveau de la mer. Certaines infrastructures publiques et privées sont déjà la cible d'inondations en présence de très hautes eaux. En nous appuyant sur un scénario dont la limite supérieure est de près de 0,7 m pour la hausse relative du niveau de la mer de 2010 à 2100, nous estimons que les infrastructures critiques auront un franc bord de 0,3 à 0,8 m au-dessus de la marée haute de vives-eaux, et une partie des infrastructures de subsistance sera inondée. La grande amplitude de la marée, le fetch limité sur l'eau et les larges battures intertidales réduisent le risque de l'impact des vagues. Lorsqu'elle est présente, la glace de rive offre une protection aux infrastructures côtières. Depuis 1979, la saison sans glace s'est prolongée de 1,0 à 1,5 jour par année, ce qui augmente la possibilité de la formation de vagues de tempête et, par conséquent, l'exposition aux jets de rive. La submersion des infrastructures critiques et le déplacement des infrastructures de subsistance par les inondations constituent des enjeux potentiels qui doivent faire l'obj...

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“…Furthermore, this material is reworked, ice-rafted and pushed by the buckling sea-ice cover and ice blocks during breakup, and material incorporated in the ice is redistributed on the flats. Extreme cases of this ice reworking are boulder ridges and barricades that preferentially form respectively in the lower-middle and the bottom parts of some flats of the Labrador coasts (northeastern Canada) where the seaward ice-rafting or pushing of ice blocks during breakup is barred by the still stable offshore ice cover (Rosen 1979;Dale et al 2002). In other flats, coarse clasts are disseminated throughout with preferential occurrence of large boulders in the middle part of the flats (Martini & Morison 2014).…”

Section: Tidal Flatsmentioning

confidence: 99%

General considerations and highlights of low-lying coastal zones: passive continental margins from the poles to the tropics

Martini

2014

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This Special Publication presents 23 papers that examine comparable, predominantly siliciclastic coastal zones of low-lying passive trailing-continental margins (primarily east Americas) from polar areas to the equator. The objective is to establish similarities and major differences among them. This introductory paper outlines major contributions of the various papers, but will also highlight coastal differences and briefly add information not fully treated by others. This is done in three parts: (a) some basic concepts are stressed, such as the importance of 'coastal zone' (total landscape) in the north-south comparison and the variable climates; (b) a review is made of the component materials of the coasts, such as difference in sediments owing to source rocks, weathering and geological history (glaciations), and in flora and fauna such as burrowing organisms; and (c) a few classical examples are reported from warm zones, such as Galveston Island and the Sapelo Island marshes, but the focus is on less well-known environments of cold areas -those most impacted by climate change. Each component of the coastal zone can develop diagnostic characteristics, but the entire assemblage of sedimentary and biological features is what uniquely defines present environments and allows identification of ancient coastal zones.

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Sedimentary Characteristics, Biological Zonation and Physical Processes of the Tidal Flats of Iqaluit, Nunavut

Cited by 15 publications

References 13 publications

Sediments and Biota of the Marine Coastal Zone of Igloolik Island, Nunavut

Sediments and Biota of the Marine Coastal Zone of Igloolik Island, Nunavut

Exposure to Coastal Hazards in a Rapidly Expanding Northern Urban Centre, Iqaluit, Nunavut

General considerations and highlights of low-lying coastal zones: passive continental margins from the poles to the tropics

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