Groundwater dynamics within a watershed in the discontinuous permafrost zone near Umiujaq (Nunavik, Canada)

• Published in: Hydrogeology journal Vol. 28; no. 3; pp. 833 - 851
• Main Authors: Lemieux, Jean-Michel, Fortier, Richard, Murray, Renaud, Dagenais, Sophie, Cochand, Marion, Delottier, Hugo, Therrien, René, Molson, John, Pryet, Alexandre, Parhizkar, Masoumeh
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Berlin/Heidelberg Springer Berlin Heidelberg 01.05.2020; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Aquatic Pollution; Aquifers; Canada; Dynamics; Earth and Environmental Science; Earth Sciences; Environmental degradation; Evapotranspiration; Geology; Geophysics/Geodesy; Groundwater; Groundwater runoff; Hydrogeology; Hydrogeology of a cold-region watershed near Umiujaq (Nunavik; Hydrologic cycle; Hydrological cycle; Hydrology; Hydrology/Water Resources; Permafrost; Permeability; Runoff; Seasonal variation; Seasonal variations; Sediments; Spatial variability; Spatial variations; Sublimation; Surface water; Surface-groundwater relations; Waste Water Technology; Water balance; Water Management; Water Pollution Control; Water Quality/Water Pollution; Water storage; Watersheds; Nunavik Quebec Canada; Canada; Canada; Cold regions; Permafrost; Water balance; Water supply
• ISSN: 1431-2174; 1435-0157
• DOI: 10.1007/s10040-020-02110-4

Groundwater distribution and flow dynamics were studied in a small watershed located in the discontinuous permafrost zone near Umiujaq in Nunavik (Québec), Canada, to assess the seasonal variations and perform a quantitative analysis of the water cycle in a subarctic watershed. Due to the complexity of the subsurface geology within the watershed, an integrated investigation was instrumental to provide a detailed understanding of the hydrogeological context as a basis for the water balance. Based on this water balance, for the two studied hydrological years of 2015 and 2016, the average values are 828 mm for precipitation, 337 mm for evapotranspiration, 46 mm for snow sublimation, 263 mm for runoff, 183 mm for groundwater exchange (losses with other aquifers outside the watershed), and 0 mm for change in water storage. Although these values likely have significant uncertainty and spatial variability, this water balance is shown to be plausible. It was also found that permafrost influences surface water and groundwater interaction, even if located in low-permeability sediments. It is expected that permafrost degradation will likely increase stream baseflow, especially in winter.