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Dataset Overview | National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI)

Effects of aufeis on the structure and function of Arctic river-floodplain ecosystems, Alaska, 2016-2017 (NCEI Accession 0302982)

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The goal of this study is to assess the potential effects of aufeis (i.e., river icings) on the structure and function of arctic river-floodplain ecosystems in a warming climate. Aufeis are massive accumulations of ice that are features of many arctic rivers. They form during freeze-up when thickening surface ice causes local overflows. Successive cycles of overflow result in accumulations of enormous volumes of ice, with aufeis on some Alaskan rivers attaining thicknesses of 3-5 meters, covering more than 20 square kilometers, and storing as much as 30% of the annual river discharge. Although aufeis have been studied by hydrologists and are known to be required for winter and spawning habitat for some fish, understanding of their ecology is poor. We propose that aufeis be viewed as winter oases due to their wet bases that supply water and heat to otherwise frozen habitats. Aufeis function as summer oases by providing a stable supply of water to hyporheic and downstream habitats.

These data come from intensive study of the Kuparuk River Aufeis field. We collected stage and water temperature data in 50 wells that were ~1 meter deep, and stage, temperature, electrical conductivity, and dissolved oxygen data from several points in the surface channel of the aufeis field. Where we could deploy loggers, we have continuous data collection.

This dataset was submitted to NCEI by the US National Science Foundation (NSF) Arctic Data Center (ADC) in accordance with the agreement between NCEI and NSF ADC.
  • Cite as: Huryn, Alex (2025). Effects of aufeis on the structure and function of Arctic river-floodplain ecosystems, Alaska, 2016-2017 (NCEI Accession 0302982). https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/archive/accession/0302982. In NSF Arctic Data Center. Datasets managed by the NSF Arctic Data Center and archived at the NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. [indicate subset used]. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. Dataset. https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/archive/accession/NSF-ADC. Accessed [date].
gov.noaa.nodc:0302982
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Distributor NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information
+1-301-713-3277
ncei.info@noaa.gov
Dataset Point of Contact NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information
ncei.info@noaa.gov
Time Period 2016-08-01 to 2017-09-30
Spatial Bounding Box Coordinates
West: -149.71407
East: -149.70073
South: 68.96764
North: 68.97906
Spatial Coverage Map
General Documentation
Associated Resources
  • Datasets managed by the NSF Arctic Data Center and archived at the NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information
  • Huryn, Alex (2019). Effects of aufeis on the structure and function of Arctic river-floodplain ecosystems, Alaska, 2016-2017. NSF Arctic Data Center, https://doi.org/10.18739/a20p0wr15
    • Parent ID (indicates this dataset is related to other data):
    • gov.noaa.nodc:NSF-ADC
Publication Dates
  • publication: 2025-03-28
  • creation: 2025-03-28
Data Presentation Form Digital table - digital representation of facts or figures systematically displayed, especially in columns
Dataset Progress Status Complete - production of the data has been completed
Historical archive - data has been stored in an offline storage facility
Data Update Frequency As needed
Supplemental Information
NSF Arctic Data Center identifier doi:10.18739/A20P0WR15
Purpose This dataset is available to the public for a wide variety of uses including scientific research and analysis.
Use Limitations
  • accessLevel: Public
  • Distribution liability: NOAA and NCEI make no warranty, expressed or implied, regarding these data, nor does the fact of distribution constitute such a warranty. NOAA and NCEI cannot assume liability for any damages caused by any errors or omissions in these data. If appropriate, NCEI can only certify that the data it distributes are an authentic copy of the records that were accepted for inclusion in the NCEI archives.
  • NCEI has archived this dataset as submitted by the NSF Arctic Data Center. If you have any questions about this dataset, please contact the NSF Arctic Data Center.
Dataset Citation
  • Cite as: Huryn, Alex (2025). Effects of aufeis on the structure and function of Arctic river-floodplain ecosystems, Alaska, 2016-2017 (NCEI Accession 0302982). https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/archive/accession/0302982. In NSF Arctic Data Center. Datasets managed by the NSF Arctic Data Center and archived at the NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. [indicate subset used]. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. Dataset. https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/archive/accession/NSF-ADC. Accessed [date].
Cited Authors
Principal Investigators
Contributors
Resource Providers
Points of Contact
  • NSF Arctic Data Center (ADC) Support
    NSF Arctic Data Center (ADC)
Publishers
Acknowledgments
Theme keywords NODC DATA TYPES THESAURUS WMO_CategoryCode
  • oceanography
Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Science Keywords Originator Keywords
  • aufies
  • dissolved oxygen
  • electrical conductivity
  • icing
  • water temperature
Originator Variables
  • Easting - Easting from a local control point, according to universal transverse mercator protocol.
  • Elevation - Elevation of the location, in meters above mean sea level.
  • Horizontal_Precision - An estimate of the precision of the measurement made.
  • Latitude - Location referenced to the NAD 1983 datum in decimal degrees.
  • Longitude - Longitude, based on NAD 1983 datum in decimal degrees.
  • Northing - Northing, according to universal transverse mercator for the local control.
  • Notes - Additional Notes
  • PAR - Photosynthetically Active Radiation incoming from the atmosphere, measured at ~ 3 m height on the meteorological station, reported in microEinsteins.
  • Point ID - This is a list of the specific geographical locations of the wells, as made at the ground surface adjacent to each well, provided in a few different ways.
  • RH_percentage - Relative Humidity, measured in percent.
  • Vertical_Precision - An estimate of the precision of the measurement made.
  • absolute_pressure - Absolute Pressure is measured below the water surface in kilopascals
  • absolute_pressure_barometric - Absolute Pressure is measured below the water surface in kilopascals, measured a second time with a barometer
  • battery - Battery voltage of the MiniDOT sensor (runs on a set of AA batteries).
  • date - Date and Time stamp (local date and time) for each observation.
  • date - Date and time of measurement when it was made (should be a 30 minute interval). All are in UTC.
  • date - Date and time of measurements
  • dissolved_oxygen - Dissolved oxygen concentration as measured in the surface water.
  • dissolved_oxygen_saturation - Surface water dissolved oxygen saturation, as calculated for the elevation and temperature observed. Units are percent, where values >100% represent supersaturation of dissolved oxygen, which is not uncommon in streams.
  • gust_speed - The highest wind speed measured over the past measurement period (e.g., 30 min), reported in meters per second.
  • horizontal_precision - An estimate of the precision of the horizontal measurement made.
  • pressure - Absolute Air Pressure or Barometric Pressure measured as millibars.
  • rain - Rainfall measured in the past 30 min in units of millimeters.
  • solar_radiation - Solar Radiation is the shortwave radiation from the atmosphere measured at the meteorological station, units reported in Watts per square meter.
  • temperature - Air temperature in degrees Celsius.
  • temperature - Temperature measured in the well
  • temperature - Water temperature as measured by the MiniDOT data logger in the surface channel.
  • temperature_DewPt - Dew Point Temperature estimated based on the current air temperature and the relative humidity, reported as degrees Celsius.
  • transect - Transect identification name
  • vertical_precision - An estimate of the precision of the vertical measurement made.
  • well - Well identification name
  • wind_direction - Wind direction reported from 0-360 degrees, with 0 degrees being roughly due north.
  • wind_speed - Wind speed averaged over the past period of measurement (e.g., 30 minutes) reported in meters per second.
Data Center keywords NODC COLLECTING INSTITUTION NAMES THESAURUS NODC SUBMITTING INSTITUTION NAMES THESAURUS Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Data Center Keywords
Instrument keywords NODC INSTRUMENT TYPES THESAURUS Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Instrument Keywords
Place keywords Originator Place Names
  • Kuparuk River Aufeis, Alaska
Project keywords Originator Project Names
  • Collaborative Research: Arctic Oases - How does the delayed release of winter discharge from aufeis affect the ecosystem structure and function of rivers?
Keywords NCEI ACCESSION NUMBER
Use Constraints
  • Cite as: Huryn, Alex (2025). Effects of aufeis on the structure and function of Arctic river-floodplain ecosystems, Alaska, 2016-2017 (NCEI Accession 0302982). https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/archive/accession/0302982. In NSF Arctic Data Center. Datasets managed by the NSF Arctic Data Center and archived at the NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. [indicate subset used]. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. Dataset. https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/archive/accession/NSF-ADC. Accessed [date].
Data License
Access Constraints
  • Use liability: NOAA and NCEI cannot provide any warranty as to the accuracy, reliability, or completeness of furnished data. Users assume responsibility to determine the usability of these data. The user is responsible for the results of any application of this data for other than its intended purpose.
Fees
  • In most cases, electronic downloads of the data are free. However, fees may apply for custom orders, data certifications, copies of analog materials, and data distribution on physical media.
Lineage information for: dataset
Processing Steps
  • 2025-03-28T19:41:44Z - NCEI Accession 0302982 v1.1 was published.
Output Datasets
Acquisition Information (collection)
Instrument
  • barometer
  • humidity sensor
  • meteorological sensor
  • oxygen sensor
  • temperature sensor
Last Modified: 2025-12-16T19:07:26Z
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