Chloe, BSc student

Who am I and what is my fieldwork project?

My name is Chloe, and I am a fourth year undergraduate student doing an environmental chemistry specialization. For my ENSC 502 project, I am working with Dr. Melissa Lafreniere (FaBRECC lab) and Dr. David McLagan (FEWA lab). My research involves the spatial variability and seasonal trends of dissolved trace metal concentrations in the Niaqunguk (Apex) River Watershed in Iqaluit, NU. This past summer, I was lucky enough to go to Iqaluit to collect stream and groundwater samples for seven weeks alongside MSc student Lee Nguyen.

What was the best part of fieldwork?

For me, the best part of fieldwork was exploring a new place. It was my first time traveling to Nunavut, and spending my summer so far North was amazing! The City of Iqaluit and the people I met there made the experience truly unforgettable. Outside the city, while hiking all day on sampling days through the rocky open tundra, you really gain an appreciation for the small details in the landscape.

What was the most challenging part of fieldwork?

In my experience, the most challenging part of fieldwork was the isolation. Being far from home, with only one other person on my team, and without wifi, there were definitely times when I was missing my friends and family. The experience made it very easy to become great friends with Lee, the grad student I was with, and I am so grateful for that. Having no wifi, I was getting into new hobbies like reading and baking bread in the evenings after extremely long days in the field. Even though some days were really tough, I would absolutely do it all over again!