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Yukon and Tuktoyaktuk Peninsula, Northwest Territories, Canada

Dataset code YUK

Contact: Reinhard Pienitz, John P. Smol
Collection date: July 1st, 1990 to July 23, 1990

Dataset info

Research area
Longitude
-139.72° to -133.03°
Latitude
60.62° to 69.58°
Publication
  • 1997, Pienitz, R., Smol, J.P. and Lean, D.R.S.
  • 1997, Pienitz, R., Smol, J.P. and Lean, D.R.S.
  • 1995, Pienitz, R., Smol, J.P., Birks, H. and John, B.
Main publication summary

Pienitz, R., Smol, J.P. and Lean, D.R.S. 1997. Physical and chemical limnology of 59 lakes located between the southern Yukon and the Tuktoyaktuk Peninsula, Northwest Territories (Canada). Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences 54 :330-346

Water chemistry and other limnological data gathered for 59 lakes in the Yukon and the adjacent Northwest Territories (Canada) were interpreted using linear regression and principal components analysis. The study sites represent lakes from a wide range of ecoclimatic regions, spanning large latitudinal (60°37¢–69°35¢N) and altitudinal gradients (15–1387 m above sea level). Water samples collected from each lake were analysed for concentrations of major ions, trace metals, nutrients, and chlorophyll a. Most of the lakes were dilute (mean conductivity = 160 mS × cm–1) and slightly acidic to alkaline (pH range = 5.9–9.3). Their ionic composition varied from Ca–Cl–Na waters near the Arctic Ocean to Ca–HCO3 waters further inland, reflecting differences in local drainage basins and proximity to the sea. Arctic and alpine sites generally showed many similarities, but considerable differences in water chemistry were observed among sites in the interior of the Yukon Territory. These can be related mainly to differences in bedrock geology and catchment vegetation.

Environmental and physical data
Bylot Island, Nunavut, Canada. (BYL dataset: 27 sampled lakes)

Average Maximum Minimum N (samples)
Ca mg/L 19.64 50.30 3.52 58
CHLa-C ug/L 1.22 18.10 0.10 58
CHLa-U ug/L 2.12 20.40 0.10 58
Cl mg/L 7.28 75.20 0.20 58
COND uS/cm 160.74 1500 24 58
DIC mg/L 17.87 134.20 0.30 58
DO mg/L 12.82 14.60 11.10 28
DOC mg/L 12.31 35.10 3.10 58
Fe ug/L 213.29 1660 5.90 58
K mg/L 1.91 29.90 0.10 58
Mn ug/L 23.66 160 2 58
Na mg/L 8.89 187 0.24 58
NH3 ug/L 12.14 51 5 58
NO2 ug/L 1.45 29 0.20 58
NO3 ug/L 16.10 208 9 58
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