CGRG Bibliography of Canadian Geomorphology
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Author : Douglas, M.
Date : 1993.
Title : Paleolimnological evidence of recent environmental changes in high tundra ecosystems
Publication : Proceedings, Conference on the ecological effects of arctic airborne contaminants
Issue :
Page(s) : 82.
Abstract
This study examines the diatom stratigraphic profiles from several ponds located on Cape Herschel (78 37 N, 74 43 W), east central Ellesmere Island, Canada. This region is unique for high arctic studies, as four years of baseline physical, chemical and biological data are now available for the numerous (+40) ponds located on this rugged peninsula. Moreover, previous researchers completed reconnaissance surveys of the Cape and noted measurable concentrations of several airborne contaminants. Cores from the frozen sediments of this pond were retrieved using a modified Livingstone piston corer. Radiocarbon dating of the sediment cores (collected by Dr. W. Blacke, Jr., Geological Survey of Canada) indicated that these ponds were formed several thousand years ago. Paleolimnological analyses of the fossil diatom assemblages revealed that the pond environments were relatively stable over all but the last century or so of pond ontogeny, when diatom assemblages changed markedly. At the present time, we cannot determine what caused these shifts in diatom species composition, except to speculate that they were related to airborne contaminants or recent climatic changes. What is clear, however, is that these arctic ponds have experience unparalleled environmental changes over the last century.
Bibliography of Canadian Geomorphology