Protecting northern water supplies from toxic metals in thawing permafrost
Climate change is causing arctic permafrost to thaw, which is releasing trapped material into the surrounding environment. Researchers from Carleton University recently studies permafrost samples collected in the western Yukon. Using the CLS, they found uranium and arsenic in the water released by these samples – and at levels considered unsafe for drinking. While the samples were collected in an area that does not use groundwater as its source for drinking water, more than 90% of the Yukon population does rely on groundwater. The researchers say their findings show that it’s important to monitor permafrost thawing to assess impact on water quality.
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