Co-supervised by:

David Didier (Regular member)

Research project description

Understanding the morphodynamic evolution of arctic coastal estuaries

IntroductionClimate change is significantly altering the coastal and estuarine environments in Inuit Nunangat. Increasing temperatures, melting sea ice, rising water levels, thawing permafrost, and increased intensity of storms are leading to significant hydrodynamic and morphological changes. In a hostile and inaccessible environment, predictive studies at local scales (on the range of ~1 m – 1 km) are challenging, and physical phenomena are often studied independently. Nevertheless, Northern communities and their critical infrastructure are increasingly vulnerable to these changes. It is therefore becoming essential to understand hazards in the coastal environments, particularly coastal erosion, especially in estuaries where the interactions between oceanic and fluvial processes are complex. ObjectivesThe aim of this project is to develop and validate a hydrogeomorphic numerical model of the Coppermine delta. The project will consist of field investigations to provide “ground-truth” data for the calibration and validation of the model; followed by detailed scenario analysis to evaluate future evolution of the estuary. Study sitesAddressing the needs of the community of Kugluktuk, Nunavut, this research project aims to better understand the hydrodynamic and coastal evolution of the Coppermine Delta, which threatens important cultural sites. Material and methodsTo identify and model these morphological changes, this project requires a review of literature on worldwide estuarine dynamics, installation of a range of measuring devices at the study site and discussions with the local community to understand the causes and the impacts of these transformations. Initially, the hydrodynamic model will include bathymetry, topography, discharge, water height, sediment size in the bed, temperature and salinity profiles, and wind. This model is limited to the season when the water surface is open, so ice is not considered. The second part combines this hydrodynamic model with a numerical model of erosion. For this, an accurate coastline needs to be realized by remote sensing using UAVs and satellite images to determine the geomorphological evolution of the estuary. Expected resultsThe development of the numerical model will provide a base tool for the community in the evaluation of the delta evolution and estuarine processes. As the model is developed on an open-source platform, it will allow for future projects to expand the model to include more complex processes, such as the evolution of ice cover, permafrost erosion, and storm surge. This project will provide important insights into the application of hydro-morphological models in the Arctic while also developing a better understanding of estuarine processes in the North.

Research Site Coordinates