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

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（Arctic Coastal Plain）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湖泊覆盖范围与形态测量特征（morphometry）的变化。为将分析时间跨度回溯至约1950年，并评估变化的时间序列模式，本研究补充采用了数字航空照片。为进一步强化分析工作，研究团队开展了夏季野外调研，聚焦湖泊蒸发量、湖泊基础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深测量（bathymetry）数据。本次测量计划旨在绘制湖岸线变化模式、监测湖泊水位的年际波动，并估算湖泊与大气间的能量与水汽交换过程。2008年夏季，研究团队对巴罗（Barrow）附近的湖泊开展调研并布设观测设备；2009年，研究重点转向阿塔苏克（Atqasuk）附近的内陆湖泊；2010年，研究对象为北极海岸平原-北极山麓带附近的湖泊。