Yesterday, we went west – up the western branch of the Kolyma River.  After lunch, Nikita, Jorien and I packed up into the boat, and headed out to sample an area that Polaris had yet to sample.  The western channel borders a system of large lakes, with many small streams draining from those lakes into the Kolyma.   Its smaller and shallower than the main eastern channel, so has not been a priority for sampling.  However, our previous research on satellite remote sensing shows that sometimes it is quite different in chemistry from the main channel.  We’ve been talking to Nikita about sampling there off and on for a while now, but today just before lunch he told us to get ready.  And off we went!

A map of dissolved organic carbon, as seen from satellites. Notice how the western channel has much high concentrations than the eastern channel.

The ride was quite bumpy at times, but there were plenty of interesting sights.  We passed a large flock of tundra swans, that took flight as we drove by.  Our first sampling station was on a small river just upstream of the town Pokhotsk.  Originally founded by the Cossacks over three hundred years ago, the town is the oldest along the Kolyma.  It was mostly isolated from the rest of Russia for 150 years.  Now, only a few hundred people live there.

A church in Pokhotsk, the oldest town on the Kolyma.

In all, we sampled twelve sites, including a transect along the western channel and five small tributaries.  There were definite differences along the western channel – the banks never more than a couple meters high, contrast with the forty meter high cliffs near tree line along the eastern banks.  We could still see the hills and mountains on the other side of the river, far in the distance.  Next up, to find if there any difference in the organic matter and sediments! A great trip for a nice afternoon!

Looking across the channel, to the east.