When I was asked to join the Arctic Glacial Lakes project I didn't completely understand what we would research. Sediment cores, hydrology, glaciers... but what was our question and who was asking it?
Fortunately, Ellie invited me to Northern Arizona University to learn more. After driving five hours through spring thunderstorms and snowstorms, I arrived to a warm welcome at Ellie's home in Flagstaff. I retired to my sleeping bag, hoping to sleep enough to engage with the information I would be presented with the next day.
Ellie had organized a meeting with everyone associated with the project, as well as a few interested lab-mates. There were nine scientists at the meeting, way more than I had assumed would be involved with the research. Cory Williams, a PolarTREC researcher and NAU professor, also joined to share his past experiences with PolarTREC and how we could best take advantage of this opportunity.
PolarTREC researcher Ellie Broadman (right) joins NAU Professors and PolarTREC researchers Darrell Kaufman (left) and Cory Williams (center) to discuss the upcoming field season.
Nick McKay, head PI for Arctic Glacial Lakes, began the meeting with the research goals. Darrell described the site and the measurements we will take, then turned over the meeting to three graduate students who's research depends on the data we will collect. Becca Ellerbroek is a glacial hydrologist using oxygen isotopes to determine the sources of water in Lake Peters. Lorna Thurston uses field measurements from Lake Peters to model sediment flux and how it relates to hydrology. Finally, Chris Benson, the fourth member of our field team, reconstructs changes in glaciers during the Holocene using sediment cores.
While the lab group patiently answered my questions, I realized that this huge, complex project relies on a group of scientists with different perspectives to gain a deep understanding of a complex system. Many more collaborators, from several universities, didn't join the meeting. Most won't go into the field this year since only a small crew can be supported in such a remote location. They are trusting me to supply them with quality data, so I plan to learn all I can about their approaches and data needs. I will remember who is relying on me every single day of the expedition.
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