Water temperature and bathymetric depth soundings for lakes on the North Slope of Alaska, Version 1.0

A regional assessment of thermokarst lakes across the Arctic Coastal Plain of Alaska was conducted using satellite images to detect changes in lake coverage and morphometry during the satellite era. This effort was supplemented by the use of digital aerial photographs to extend the analysis back to ~1950, and to assess temporal patterns of change. The analyses were augmented by summer field studies focused on lake evaporation, seasonal and interannual changes in fundamental lake characteristics, and collection of lake water temperature and bathymetry in three study areas. The measurement program is designed to map patterns of shoreline changes, monitor interannual variations in lake levels, and estimate energy and moisture exchange between lakes and the atmosphere. In summer 2008, lakes near Barrow were studied and instrumented. In 2009, the focus was on lakes further inland near Atqasuk. In 2010, lakes near the Arctic Coastal Plain-Arctic Foothills were studied.

本研究针对阿拉斯加北极海岸平原分布的热融湖塘（thermokarst lakes）开展区域评估，借助卫星影像识别卫星时代内的湖泊覆盖范围与形态参数变化。本研究辅以数字航空摄影影像，将分析的时间跨度追溯至约1950年，以此解析湖泊变化的时间演化模式。为进一步完善分析工作，研究团队还开展了夏季野外研究，聚焦湖泊蒸发量、湖泊基本特征的季节与年际变化，并在三个研究区域采集湖水温度与湖底地形数据。本次测量计划的目标包括绘制岸线变化模式图、监测湖泊水位的年际波动，以及估算湖泊与大气间的能量与水汽交换通量。2008年夏季，研究团队对巴罗（Barrow）周边的湖塘开展调查并布设监测设备。2009年，研究重点转向阿特夸苏克（Atqasuk）附近内陆纵深区域的湖塘。2010年，研究对象为北极海岸平原-北极山麓带附近的湖塘。