Wolf Island Research Articles

Wind Forcing of Ice Cover in the Labrador Shelf Marginal Ice Zone

Anemometer‐measured winds for the period 5–13 March 1994 were used to study the coherence of observed and forecast coastal winds along the mid‐Labrador shelf. The reliability of these variables in predicting the response of the ocean and ice to wind forcing is an important issue for ice forecasting in this area. Two anemometer‐equipped 2‐m ice beacons were deployed on pack ice north of Wolf Island and a third beacon was deployed on Grady Island. The results indicate that due to the influence of local topography, 10‐m winds observed at the meteorological station in Cartwright, Labrador provide a poor estimate (r2 = 0.2) of wind conditions over the offshore sea‐ice. In contrast, the σ = 1 level (∼10 m) winds from the Canadian Meteorological Centre's Regional Finite Element (RFE) model provided a better correlation with anemometer beacon winds (0.90 for the 6‐hour forecast down to 0.45 at 36 hours). However, the RFE model overestimates the magnitude of the winds by 10–40%. The response of the ocean and ice cover to wind forcing was measured by an ocean bottom‐mounted acoustic Doppler current proþler (ADCP). Relative to the 2‐m beacon winds, the ice moved at 2.5% of wind magnitude and turned 0.6° to the left of the wind. The ocean response decreased with depth until it reached a constant value of 0.9% of the wind speed. The turning angle increased from 0.3° to the right of the wind at 3.5 m to 50° at the lowest level measured by the ADCP (73 m depth). Approximately 57% of the variance in the ocean currents at 3 m below the surface can be attributed to the 2‐m winds; at 73 m the explained variance decreases to 27%.

Determination of Benzothiazole and Alkylphosphates in Water Samples from the Great Lakes Drainage Basin by Gas Chromatography/Atomic Emission Detection

Abstract Benzothiazole, tri-n-butylphosphate tris(2-chloroethyl)phosphate, tris((β-chloro-propyDphosphate and two isomers of this last chemical were detected in all archived water extracts collected from permanent sampling stations located at Fort Erie, Niagara-on-the-Lake and Wolfe Island. The archived samples initially extracted using a Goulden large sample extractor (GLSE) after centrifuging, were analyzed using gas chromatography/atomic emission detection (GC-AED) for P-, S-, and N-containing compounds. All samples also contained atrazine and metolachlor whose concentrations had previously been determined using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS). The concentration values of atrazine in the 38 archived samples as determined by the AED method were similar to those determined by the GC/MS method. However, the concentrations of metolachlor in the 38 archived samples calculated from the GC/AED generally differed by a factor of 2 relative to concentrations determined for the extracts by GC/MS. The atrazine and metolachlor concentrations determined by GC/AED were in the range 12-141 ng/L compared to 10-89 ng/L determined using GC/MS. The trialkylphosphate concentrations were in the range 5-23 ng/L and the benzothiazole concentrations were in the range 1-10 ng/L. Other archived samples from the St. Lawrence River above and below Montréal also contained the above five trialkylphosphates and benzothiazole, as did fresh samples from the eastern and western basins of Lake Erie. Nonpolar fractions from silica gel cleanup of the St. Clair River sample extracts contained none of the compounds of interest, but the compounds were found in the methanol eluates of the cleanup column material. One sample collected from the middle of Lake Huron contained tris(2-chloroethyl)phosphate. Rain samples collected about Lake Ontario contained benzothiazole and the alkylphosphates.

Trend evaluation of water quality parameters in the Niagara and St. Lawrence Rivers

Physical and chemical (nutrients and major ions) indicators of water quality monitored by Environment Canada between 1977 and 1987 in the Niagara River at Niagara-on-the-Lake and in the St. Lawrence River at Wolfe Island are analyzed for seasonal and annual variations. Parametric methods such as moving averages and linear regression and nonparametric methods (Spearman's rank coefficient) are used to test for the existence of trends in these data. The results indicate that specific conductivity, sodium and chloride have decreased significantly over the period of study. During the same period there is no significant trend for either discharge and nutrients.

Flow Distribution in the St. Lawrence River System at Wolfe Island, Kingston Basin, Lake Ontario

Determination of the mass output through the St. Lawrence River outflow system is an important component in computing a mass balance of chemical loadings in Lake Ontario. Toward this goal, during 1986 and 1987, a network of self recording current meter moorings were deployed in the main channels of the St. Lawrence River system in Lake Ontario. On two occasions in 1987, detailed Lagrangian experiments were carried out using a cluster of satellite drifters. The time series data from the current meter network and Lagrangian drifter experiments provided the horizontal and vertical distribution of currents that are adequate to compute the distribution of water transport through the St. Lawrence outflow. The flow distribution in the St. Lawrence River at Wolfe Island is approximately 55 percent in the south channel and 45 percent in the north channel. The total flow rate through the St. Lawrence River system from the present study is in good agreement with the direct measurements at the power plant control facilities at Cornwall.

Loadings of Selected Chemicals into the St. Lawrence River System from Lake Ontario, 1986/87

Abstract Determination of the mass output through the St. Lawrence River outflow system is an important component in computing mass balance of chemical loadings to Lake Ontario. The total flow rate in the St. Lawrence River System at the Wolfe Island area was calculated from detailed time series current meter measurements from a network of current meters and Lagrangian drifter experiments. This flow is roughly distributed in the ratio of 55% to 45% in the South and North channel, respectively. Loading estimates of selected chemicals have been made by combining the above transport calculations with the ongoing chemical monitoring data at the St. Lawrence outflow. A vertical gradient in the concentration of some organic and inorganic chemicals was observed. The measured concentration for some of the chemicals was higher during the summer months and also is higher in the South Channel than in the North Channel of the St. Lawrence River. These loading estimates are useful not only for modelling the mass balance of chemicals in Lake Ontario but also for serving as input loadings to the St. Lawrence River system from Lake Ontario.

Augustus Fendler (1813-1883), Professional Plant Collector: Selected Correspondence with George Engelmann

Augustus Fendler (1813-1883), Professional Plant Collector: Selected Correspondence with George Engelmann

A history of the cartography of Russia up to 1600, L Bagnow (ed H.W. Castner), The Walker Press, Wolfe Island, Ontario, 1975. 170 x 250 mm, 139 pages (with index).

<b>A history of the cartography of Russia up to 1600</b>, L Bagnow (ed H.W. Castner), The Walker Press, Wolfe Island, Ontario, 1975. 170 x 250 mm, 139 pages (with index).

Observations of General Vegetational Changes on a River Island in the Mississippi River

During August, 1919, the writer made a study of the vegetation of western Kentucky along the Mississippi River. An earlier report' of this work dealt particularly with the history of an island which was formed in chute number 5, a channel separating Wolf Island from the state of Missouri. This island began to form in 1913, as the result of the stranding of a barge on a rock bar in the chute as the memorable floods of that year receded.

Oceonographic work of the United States Coast Guard in the Western North Atlantic in 1941

The ice‐season of 1941 was similar to that of 1940 in that there was an almost complete absence of ice in the vicinity of the Grand Banks of Newfoundland. For this reason no ice‐observation cruises were made by the patrol‐cutters and only the oceanographic vessel of the International Ice Patrol Force was engaged in operations in this region during 1941. This vessel, the 125‐foot U.S.C.G. Cutter General Greene, made three current‐surveys of the Grand Banks region during the period from March 29 to July 14. From these surveys three dynamic topographic charts were constructed. In this work 195 oceanographic stations were occupied, the serial observations of temperature and salinity usually extending from the surface to a depth of about 1,400 meters where the depth of water permitted, although the topographic charts were referred to the 1,000‐decibar surface. A short post‐season cruise was made in the southern part of the Labrador Sea between July 21 and August 3. During this cruise 12 oceanographic stations with closely spaced observational levels, from the surface to a depth of 150 meters, were occupied in the immediate vicinity of an iceberg off the Strait of Belle Isle. An additional 24 stations were occupied, from the surface to as near bottom as was practicable, along a section from South Wolf Island, Labrador, to Cape Farewell, Greenland. A list of 267 sonic soundings taken along this section during the postseason cruises of 1940 and 1941 has been corrected, tabulated, and supplied to the United States Hydrographic Office. Other incidental data collected, both during the season and post‐season cruises, consisted of barograms and sea‐water‐surface thermograms. On all cruises a program of bathythermograph observations supplemented the usual reversing‐thermometer observations of temperature, through cooperation with the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, with GILBERT OAKLEY of that Institution as observer.

Oceanographic work of the United States Coast Guard in the western North Atlantic in 1940 and plans for 1941

During 1940, because of the almost total absence of ice in the vicinity of the Grand Banks of Newfoundland, only one ice-observation cruise was made by the U.S.C.G. cutter Chelan in connection with the International Service of Ice Observation and Ice Patrol in the North Atlantic Ocean. Consequently, the usual ten or a dozen fortnightly sea-surface isothermal charts of that area were not made. However, in anticipation of the possible southward drift of menacing ice, the 125-foot cutter General Greene, operating as the oceanographic vessel of the Ice-Patrol force, repeatedly surveyed the Grand Banks Region during April, May, and June. As the third survey involved going over the same area twice in as rapid succession as possible, five dynamic topographic charts resulted from the four surveys. These charts were referred to the 1,000- decibar surface although at most of the 235 oceanographic stations occupied the temperature- and salinity-measurements extended to a depth of about 1,400 meters where the depth of the water permitted. From June 25 to 29 the General Greene occupied an additional 21 oceanographic stations from the surface to as near bottom as was practicable on a short post-season cruise in the Labrador Sea between South Wolf Island, Labrador, and Cape Farewell, Greenland. These stations were disposed in the form of a single section crossing the Labrador Current, the central Labrador Sea, and a part of the West Greenland Current. Unusually extensive sea-ice off the Greenland Coast prevented the complete crossing of the West Greenland Current. Incidental data collected on the General Greene both during the season and post-season cruises consisted of barograms and sea-surface thermograms.

THE BITE OF OTIORHYNCHUS OVATUS

Otiorhynchus ovatus is an insect which, during the last decade, has become decidedly more numerous in Canada than was formerly the case. Little seems to be known about its habits. It has been sent to me occasionally with complaints of its attacks upon various crops. Among these may be mentioned injuries to the growing stems of potatoes, and also injuries to fruit in the fruiterer's shop. The beetles have been also sent in frequently as having been found in considerable numbers huddled together in dwelling houses late in autumn. Perhaps the most interesting complaint which has been made comes from Prof. W. L. Goodwin, of Queen's University, Kingston, who writes: “I send two specimens of a small beetle which caused so much annoyance in camps on Wolf Island, in the St. Lawrence, near Kingston, Ontario, in July last. It attacked us at night and bit with unpleasant severity.”