7/16/08

Today began by splitting into our study groups. The filled-in lake (which are called alas) group went back to Duvannyi Yar and found a large alas to take some measurements in. The permafrost group analyzed their data collected from Duvannyi Yar. The lake group picked invertebrates from samples collected the day before and worked on data.

The streams group (my group) took a boat further downstream to Kolymskoe, a Siberian town with a population of ~1000. While we traveled at 24mi/hr, we had an incredible view of the landscape adjacent to the river. It was very clear visually which side of the river was being eroded and which side was depositional. The vegetation changed remarkably quickly from grasses to scattered larches to forest. On the erosional side of the river we could see a clear transect of the soil layers beneath ground surface with vegetation on top of that. The land here was eroding from permafrost thaw leaving the soil even more susceptible to erosion from the river water flow. Along the river edge we could also see alas’ and filled in streams. The presence of permafrost makes soil even more susceptible to erosion, which is why some areas looked so cut into.  It was amazing to see these processes so clearly!

When we arrived at Kolymskoe we saw fishing boats scattered along shore and a large pile of coal sitting on the beach. We walked into town amongst wooden houses that looked like they were built in the 50’s or 60’s, Siberian dogs, and few other people. We went into a store for some supplies and it felt as if we had entered Soviet times. There were lines of identical school supplies, boots, clothing, irons, combs, zippers, …all the essential needs. The prices were calculated with an old-fashioned scale and abacus. It was interesting to think about how this town had been established back during Soviet rule, and how this has carried over into modern times. Our goal at Kolymskoe was to meet up with the man who runs the station that measures river discharge on the Kolyma. Max, Sergei Zimov, and Kate B. talked to him about methods of discharge data collection. We learned that discharge is measured by river height and velocity (discharge has units of km³/yr or m³/sec).  This is measured twice a day, and once compiled is sent to the Yakutian government, which is why the data have been unavailable online. After exchanging thank yous (thank you=”Spa-cee-bah”) with him, we headed back to the Kolyma to take samples. We collected about 5 water samples today in different areas. Our goal is to determine the differences in carbon and nutrient content between water in tributaries coming from varying landscape types. We are looking at two scales: small stream variability as well as an overall survey of the Kolyma watershed. We are measuring variables such as temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen percent and content, latitude and longitude, turbidity, and conductivity.The evening consisted of data entry and enjoying an amazing multimedia presentation of a picture slideshow and Polaris Project “themesong” put together by the group. It was good to reflect on the trip thusfar and think about further work to be done in the coming days while the barge travelled to our temporary home in Cherskiy.