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TundraA treeless area between the icecap and the tree line of arctic regions, having a permanently frozen subsoil and supporting low-growing vegetation such as lichens, mosses, and stunted shrubs. Animals

Researchers have been studying the water chemistry in northern Alaska for over 20 years. Water is collected along the Sagavanirktok River as it heads north toward Prudhoe Bay and the Arctic Ocean, and lakes in the same watershed. Teams studying effects of Arctic sunlight and microbes on water worked together to collect water samples.

We drove to the northern end of the Dalton Highway at Dead Horse, Alaska, then collected water on the return trip. Along the drive we were fortunate to see iconic Alaskan wildlife: musk ox, caribou, and fox. The following video shows these animals.

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Enjoy!

Details
Author
Regina Brinker
Date
Expedition
Arctic Sunlight and Microbial Interactions 2014
Weather Summary
Mostly sunny
Temperature
9C

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Comments

Tue, 08/05/2014 - 09:35

Regina Brinker

Hi, Susan,
We were fortunate on the drive north to see the musk ox and first round
of caribou. They were gone when we were driving back south. We went to
the northern most accessible spot to collect water from the Sag River
and followed it south. Stopped at some lakes also. Samples have been
collected from some of these sites for many years. Some of the original
Toolik researchers named the lakes. Good history and science!

Mon, 06/30/2014 - 17:16

Susan Steiner

you guys saw a lot of musk ox and caribou...wow! Did you have a fairly strong telephoto lens or were they pretty close? So, you are collecting samples from the lakes and also from the river?

Tue, 07/01/2014 - 17:44

Andre Wille

Can you say sagavarnirktok? Amazing video of a huge herd of musk ox. I had no idea there woud be so many! Wow.

Thu, 07/03/2014 - 18:54

Regina Brinker

Seeing the musk ox is a highlight of the trip! They are prehistoric looking creatures.