The overarching goals of the project are to analyze water samples from arctic streams impacted by iron (FE) seeps on national park lands including noatak national preserve, kobuk valley national park,…

The U.S. National Park Service awarded a $125,000 Cooperative Agreement under the Cooperative Research and Training Programs - Resources of the National Park System (CFDA 15.945) to the University of California, Davis. The funding supports a 2-year research project to analyze water samples from Arctic streams in national parks in Alaska impacted by iron seeps. The project aims to observe the persistence and potential amelioration of iron impacts along stream gradients. Surface water and hyporheic samples will be collected from unimpaired and impaired reaches to study the effects of permafrost thaw on iron and carbon mobilization. This research project leverages UC Davis's extensive scientific capabilities and prior experience supporting federal agencies through both prime and subcontracted awards.

The overarching goals of the project are to analyze water samples from arctic streams impacted by iron (FE) seeps on national park lands including noatak national preserve, kobuk valley national park, and gates of the arctic national park and preserve. Surface water and hyporheic samples will be collected from unimpaired and impaired reaches, as well as at multiple locations within and downstream of impaired reaches to observe amelioration or persistence of FE impacts along a longitudinal gradient. Recent observations from arctic alaska indicate that waters draining permafrost landscapes may be susceptible to iron and carbon mobilization following thaw. One visual indication of the altered iron-cycling processes is the abrupt change in the color of stream and river reaches, reflecting a dramatic shift in water quality. The recipient of this project is a member of the california cooperative ecosystem study unit performing work in the state of alaska.