Mackenzie River Estuary Water Chemistry and Sediment Data, September 2022

Eighteen water and suspended particulate matter samples from the Mackenzie River and estuary in Canada, collected in September 2022. The dataset includes dissolved concentrations of 11 elements, stable carbon isotope ratios, salinity, and sample locations. Samples span a salinity range from 0.15 to 29 P.S.U. and were taken from 11 different localities.

Use Cases

• Analyze relationships between salinity measurements and dissolved element concentrations like aluminium, barium, and strontium across the estuary gradient.
• Map the spatial distribution of suspended particulate matter concentrations using the provided latitude and longitude sample locations.
• Investigate correlations between dissolved stable carbon isotope ratios (δ13C) and other geochemical parameters such as iron or silicon concentrations.
• Model the mixing behavior of river and ocean water using salinity and cation data from surface and depth samples.

Strengths

• Includes 18 discrete water and suspended particulate matter samples with precise geolocation.
• Covers a defined salinity gradient from 0.15 to 29 P.S.U., capturing estuarine transition.
• Provides measurements for 11 dissolved elements plus stable carbon isotopes and salinity.
• Samples collected from 11 different localities within the Mackenzie River system.

Limitations

• Small sample size of 18 total observations limits statistical power for complex modeling.
• Temporal coverage is limited to a single one-week period in September 2022, not capturing seasonal variation.
• Data is embargoed and not fully accessible until March 31, 2026.

Provenance

Source

Environmental Information Data Centre

Collection Method

River water and suspended particulate matter samples collected from the surface and at depth at specific geographic coordinates.

Time Range

September 11-18, 2022

Freshness

Data reflects conditions from September 2022; last metadata update was March 2026.

Geography

Mackenzie River and estuary, Northwest Territories, Canada