Hello everyone. Over the last few days all of the students have selected and initiated our projects examining different aspects of the ecosystem around Cherskiy. Nickolay and I are working with Valentine and Sudeep to profile the soil in the Shuchi Lake watershed and examine how the soil’s composition affects the quality of the water entering the lake.

During the preceding two days, we’ve hiked out and collected soil samples. To collect these samples, we need to form a profile by digging a grave-like hole until we hit the frozen permafrost below. We then measure the thawed active layer above the permafrost, observe its qualities, and collect soil samples from various depths.

Back at the lab, we’re analyzing the samples for moisture content and organic matter content using a drying oven and muffler furnace, respectively. Today we finished analyzing these results for our first permafrost profile! Tonight we’re going to commence our first water tests, where we’ll saturate the soil in water overnight to test what nutrients leech into the water from the soil. Hopefully we’ll have more results soon and be able to begin painting a picture as to how the terrestrial environment is affecting the lake’s environment.