General description: A C-band polarimetric scatterometer was used to collect the backscattering signatures of new ice, first year ice, and multiyear ice in as many forms as possible during the fall freeze-up and winter period in Southern Beaufort Sea and Amundsen Gulf. This instrument is mounted on the port side of the ship (CCGS Amundsen) and the backscattering signatures were collected in conjunction with geophysical sampling of the region that was scanned in an attempt to provide the physical reasons for the electromagnetic interactions. This variable will be used in modeling studies and in coordinating in situ measurements with satellite data. Methology: The scatterometer measured the backscatter from the surface of interest. Incidence angles ranged from 20 to 60 degrees in 5 degree steps, with a swath of 60 degrees in the azimuth. Several scans were collected for statistical purposes (generally 5). Either during the scans, or immediately afterwards, geophysical sampling was performed in and around the region of the scan in order to gather ground truth data. Geophysical data are summarized in three metadata forms: CCIN Reference No 10108, 10097 and 1555. Data type: The dataset contains unprocessed and processed polarimetric data as a function of incidence angle.

General description: A C-band polarimetric scatterometer was used to collect the backscattering signatures of new ice, first year ice, and multiyear ice in as many forms as possible during the fall freeze-up and winter period in Southern Beaufort Sea and Amundsen Gulf. This instrument is mounted on the port side of the ship (CCGS Amundsen) and the backscattering signatures were collected in conjunction with geophysical sampling of the region that was scanned in an attempt to provide the physical reasons for the electromagnetic interactions. This variable will be used in modeling studies and in coordinating in situ measurements with satellite data. Methology: The scatterometer measured the backscatter from the surface of interest. Incidence angles ranged from 20 to 60 degrees in 5 degree steps, with a swath of 60 degrees in the azimuth. Several scans were collected for statistical purposes (generally 5). Either during the scans, or immediately afterwards, geophysical sampling was performed in and around the region of the scan in order to gather ground truth data. The dataset contains unprocessed and processed polarimetric data as a function of incidence angle.

Agassiz trawl was deployed from the CCGS Amundsen to collect macrofauna. Catches were passed through a 2 mm mesh sieve. When possible, specimens were identified to the lowest taxonomic level, then count and weight. The unidentified specimens were preserved in a 4% seawater-formalin solution. Box corer was deployed to quantitatively sample diversity, abundance and biomass of infauna and to sample sediment. Sediments of a surface area of 0.125 m2 and 10-15 cm in depth were collected and sieved through a 0.5 mm mesh and preserved in a 4% formaldehyde solution for further identification in the laboratory. Sub-cores of sediments were collected for sediment pigment content, organic matter, sediment grain size, porosity; for sediment pigments, the top 1 cm was collected, although for sediment grain size, the top 5 cm was collected. Sediment pigment samples were frozen at -80°C, and porosity, organic matter and sediment grain size samples were frozen at -20°C.

Benthic fauna were sampled at 78 stations between June and October from 2007 to 2011 onboard the Canadian research icebreaker CCGS Amundsen. Station depths ranged from 34 to 1024 m, all below the average ice scouring zone. All faunal samples were collected with an Agassiz trawl (effective opening of 1.5 m and a 40 mm net mesh size, with a 5 mm cod end liner) with average trawling time and speed of 5 min and 1.5 knots, respectively.

The CFL project consisted of ten sub-project teams: Physical oceanography; Sea ice; Light, nutrients, and primary production; Food webs; Marine mammals and birds; Gas fluxes; Carbon and nutrient fluxes; Contaminants; Modeling; and Traditional Knowledge. In the fall of 2007, 74 open water sites were sampled throughout the Amundsen Gulf and southern Beaufort Sea. During the winter months, 44 drift sites were sampled, ranging in duration from 1-22 days. Due to thin sea ice and high ice mobility, the fast ice bridge between Cape Parry and Banks Island did not form. For this reason, we were unable to establish a semi-permanent ice camp as originally planned. Instead, a series of ice camps were set up at the fast ice edge at the mouths of Franklin and Darnley Bays in May and June. Early results suggest that with decreasing ice cover we can expect powerful feedbacks into the climate system thereby exacerbating the reduction in multiyear sea ice, with commensurate changes in the ecosystem, biogeochemical cycling and human use of the flaw lead region. Nutrients may become more available to the food web through a higher occurrence of ice edge upwelling as well as eddies carrying Pacific water into the Amundsen Gulf. Frost flowers, which are produced on young first year ice, have been found to have an important role in atmospheric chemistry around flaw leads and may be important for contaminant transport. Marine mammal use of the flaw lead occurs much earlier and more extensively than previously known. Traditional Knowledge research efforts included the development, coordination and completion of community interviews in Sachs Harbour, Paulatuk and Ulukhaktok. This comprised of community-based field programs involving semi-directed interviews, a mapping component, and database development and input. The data gathered from 49 experts in 3 communities represents the first and most comprehensive documentation of Inuvialuit knowledge of the circumpolar flaw lead in the Beaufort Sea. The Traditional Knowledge study showed that Inuvialuit have extensive knowledge of changes taking place in seasonal patterns, marine and freshwater systems, fish and wildlife of the Beaufort Sea and their uses of these resources, as well as the implications of these changes for human travel and Inuvialuit subsistence and traditional activities.