Grant: Strategic Projects - Group

Canada's climate is changing and the resulting impact on the water cycle and on water resources is of critical importance to human and ecosystem health and for economic development, especially in the north. Many effects are already being felt in northern communities, including thawing of permafrost and degradation of surface water quality and availability. Impacts on groundwater are largely unknown, however as the permafrost thaws and water is released, groundwater may become a significant new resource as it is generally safer, more reliable and less expensive than surface water. This research will determine the potential of using groundwater as a sustainable resource in northern regions by investigating a small 2 km2 watershed basin near the northern community of Umiujaq, in the region of Nunavik, Quebec. The evolving hydrogeological system within the watershed will be defined by first characterizing the subsurface geologic structure and the distribution of permafrost, and by monitoring groundwater and surface water conditions over time. Local weather conditions will also be monitored. The data will be integrated into a three-dimensional hydrogeological conceptual and numerical model of the basin, which will allow determining the present and future impacts of climate change on the groundwater system and its viability as a resource. The outcomes will be used by the local community to identify the potential of using groundwater as a reliable new source of drinking water, and by our partner the Quebec Ministry of Sustainable Development, Environment, Wildlife and Parks (MDDEFP) to develop long-term water supply policy for growing northern communities, and for sustaining regional economic development. Significant advantages could also be realized as new groundwater resources become available for the mining, forestry and tourism industries in Quebec and throughout Canada's north.