Research

Research Infrastructures

Adaptable earth observation system


The Earth Observation System (EOS) provides the infrastructure needed to study and document ecosystems in the St. Lawrence River Valley (VFSL) in Quebec in order to develop a quantitative predictive model of system-wide interactions in the geobiosphère-climate of the region. A key aspect of EOS is its ability to include a combination of fixed facilities and a flexible mobile infrastructure to observe and analyze the Dynamic Terrestrial System (DES) in remote areas of Quebec. The VFSL climate is characterized by exceptional weather conditions (eg, ice storms), varied uses of land (urban, natural, etc.) and biodiversity flows (species loss and invasion).

Institution
  • McGill University
  • Université du Québec à Montréal (UQAM)
Location
Montreal (Quebec) and mobile
Contact person
Julie Thériault, Professeur
theriault.julie@uqam.ca, 514 987-3000, poste 4276
Associated axes :
  • Axis Water Availability
    Theme 1: Integrated quantity and quality simulations
  • Axis Water Availability
    Theme 2: Hydrometeorological regime under climate
  • Axis Water Availability
    Theme 3: Flow rates and water levels

Geotech 605 specialized drilling rig for the characterization of aquifers


The main equipment for characterizing the physical and geochemical properties of aquifers is a specialized Geotech 605 drilling rig. With the data collected, it is possible to model the flow of water and the transport of contaminants in aquifers. It is also possible to assess the vulnerability of aquifers to contamination, to determine the most suitable protection methods and methods of exploitation for sustainable management of the groundwater resource. This crawler drill has a real-time recording system of mechanical and electrical soil responses. It also allows soil or groundwater sampling by installing observation wells. The system has two drilling heads, one for drilling by penetration (cone penetration) in loose deposits, and another equipped with a hydraulic hammer for rotary impact drilling up to 50 m in rock and loose deposits according to the conditions.

Institution
  • Institut national de recherche scientifique (INRS)
Location
Quebec City (Québec) et mobile
Contact person
René Lefebvre, Professeur
rene.lefebvre@ete.inrs.ca, 418 654-2651
Associated axis :
  • Axis Water Availability
    Theme 1: Integrated quantity and quality simulations
More info de Geotech 605 specialized drilling rig for the characterization of aquifers