No description available.

Current geomorphic processes and recent morphological changes were investigated in the lower ablation and proglacial zones of the White and Thompson glacier complex, Axel Heiberg Island, Northwest Territories. Study of glacier front evolution and frontal moraine development over the last three decades (1959-1989) is based on photographic, cartographic and geodetic information acquired by researchers since the late 1950's updated by surveys of glacier-distal moraine perimeter position in the summer of 1989. Even though both glaciers are juxtaposed in the lowermost ablation zone, it was found that the White Glacier has receded circa 100 m while the Thompson Glacier front has progressed downvalley by approximately 500 m. Other findings include: (1) the uneven retreat of the White Glacier ice front; (2) the shrinking widthwise of the White Glacier and lengthwise of its frontal moraine due to the pushing action of the advancing Thompson Glacier and (3) the asymmetric development of the Thompson Glacier frontal moraine. / A series of measured transects and comparative photography for 1989 and 1990 provided information on short-term morphologic changes occurring within and beyond the moraine complex.

No description available.

This thesis characterizes the nutritional implications of climate change impacts on the traditional food system of Inuit in Nunavut, Canada. Both focus groups and food frequency questionnaires were used in collaboration with two communities to describe current climate change impacts on traditional food and define nutrient intake. Currently, both communities experience climate-related changes to important species which provide high levels of key nutrients. If climate changes continue to impact traditional food species, serious nutritional losses may occur unless healthy alternatives can be found. Policy should support Inuit communities to maintain optimal nutrition in the face of climate change.

This thesis explored the place of vitamin C in the Inuit diet through analysis of traditional food sources, assessment of contemporary intake among women aged 20--40 years, estimation of a pre contact intake of vitamin C and qualitative interviews to contextualize current food choices that can affect vitamin C intake. This thesis provides the first reports of vitamin C values for several Inuit traditional foods. There are rich sources of vitamin C in the Inuit traditional food although they are infrequently consumed by this group of women. On average half of the women interviewed in each season met the 1990 Recommended Nutrient Intake (RNI) set at 30 mg/day, however, only 34% of the group met the new Estimated Average Requirement (EAR) of 60 mg/day. Historically, ample vitamin C was obtained through the traditional Inuit food system.

No description available.

This thesis presents an exploratory approach using detailed zooarchaeological analysis to evaluate the nature of ringed seal ( Phoca hispida) remains from three seasonally different Thule sites in the Hazard Inlet area of Somerset Island, Nunavut. Most Thule research focuses on winter occupation and presents Thule as a whaling society. Little attention has been given on the nature of sealing during Thule occupation and research on seasonal differences of seal remains from Thule sites remains scarce. This thesis is thus one of the first to focus on ringed seal remains from seasonally different Thule sites through an analysis of over 30,000 bone specimens. The goal of this thesis is to determine if the seal assemblages are a product of differential butchering and transport, taphonomic processes, or if external factors are also playing a role in shaping the faunal record. The analysis considers variability within each site as well as between the sites. Overall, a moderate to strong correlation was found between bone density and the seal bone elements identified while a negative correlation existed with the elements and FUI (food utility indices). This led to the conclusion that taphonomy was the leading agent shaping the seal remains at Hazard Inlet. However, enough variation existed within each site to consider the role of outside factors, such as the presence of dogs, food preferences, food storage and season of occupation in shaping the seal remains at Hazard Inlet.

Dental annuli analyses were performed on 170 ringed seal (Phoca hispida) canines recovered from five Thule semisubterranean houses located at site PaJs-13 at Hazard Inlet, Somerset Island in the central Canadian Arctic. Season of death results indicate greater seal hunting during the spring. Age at death results were used to produce mortality profiles which, when compared with idealized patterns, revealed a prime-dominated pattern indicating the presence of some selective factor in the subsistence strategy. Based on ethnographical studies of traditional seal hunting techniques, conscious selection was eliminated as a factor. Biological studies of ringed seal demonstrate that during the spring, older, sexually mature seals, occupy breeding areas in stable fast ice formations located close to the coast in complex coastal areas. Younger immature seals, on the other hand, occupy areas of unstable pack ice formations either further from the shore in complex coastal areas, or along simple coastlines. The archaeological mortality patterns do not clearly resemble either complex or simple coast modern populations, although a trend toward simple coasts was observed. This observation is consistent with the site location, which allows greater access to pack ice formations. The appearance of selective biological factors affecting random human subsistence strategies indicates that caution must be utilized when interpreting mortality patterns.

This study sought to characterize the risk to human health from dietary mercury (Hg) exposure in two Inuit communities, Repulse Bay and lgloolik. Hg exposure was estimated using food frequency questionnaires. Body burden was determined by measuring Hg in hair samples. Estimated average daily Hg exposures for women of child-bearing age were 21.3 mug in Repulse Bay, and 6.0 mug in lgloolik; the general population exposures were 43.1 mug in Repulse Bay and 23.2 mug in lgloolik. Average hair concentrations were 2.1 mg/kg and 2.8 mg/kg in Repulse Bay, 2.1 mg/kg and 6.2 mg/kg in lgloolik for women of child-bearing age and the general population respectively. No participants had concentrations above the "at risk" concentration of 30 mg/kg. Significant correlations were observed between hair Hg concentration and traditional food intake. These results do not necessitate direct intervention, but validate continued monitoring of Hg exposure in Nunavut.

No description available.