scholarly journals Permafrost thaw and ground settlement considering long-term climate impact in northern Alaska

2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhaohui Joey Yang ◽  
Kannon C. Lee ◽  
Haibo Liu
Keyword(s):  
Layer Thickness ◽  
Active Layer ◽  
Air Temperature ◽  
Climate Model ◽  
Ground Surface ◽  
Active Layer Thickness ◽  
Near Surface ◽  
Surface Conditions ◽  
Ice Content ◽  
Northern Alaska

AbstractAlaska’s North Slope is predicted to experience twice the warming expected globally. When summers are longer and winters are shortened, ground surface conditions in the Arctic are expected to change considerably. This is significant for Arctic Alaska, a region that supports surface infrastructure such as energy extraction and transport assets (pipelines), buildings, roadways, and bridges. Climatic change at the ground surface has been shown to impact soil layers beneath through the harmonic fluctuation of the active layer, and warmer air temperature can result in progressive permafrost thaw, leading to a deeper active layer. This study attempts to assess climate change based on the climate model data from the fifth phase of the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project and its impact on a permafrost environment in Northern Alaska. The predicted air temperature data are analyzed to evaluate how the freezing and thawing indices will change due to climate warming. A thermal model was developed that incorporated a ground surface condition defined by either undisturbed intact tundra or a gravel fill surface and applied climate model predicted air temperatures. Results indicate similar fluctuation in active layer thickness and values that fall within the range of minimum and maximum readings for the last quarter-century. It is found that the active layer thickness increases, with the amount depending on climate model predictions and ground surface conditions. These variations in active layer thickness are then analyzed by considering the near-surface frozen soil ice content. Analysis of results indicates that thaw strain is most significant in the near-surface layers, indicating that settlement would be concurrent with annual thaw penetration. Moreover, ice content is a major factor in the settlement prediction. This assessment methodology, after improvement, and the results can help enhance the resilience of the existing and future new infrastructure in a changing Arctic environment.

scholarly journals Permafrost Thaw and Ground Settlement Considering Long-Term Climate Impact in Northern Alaska

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joey Yang ◽  
Kannon C. Lee ◽  
Haibo Liu
Keyword(s):  
Active Layer ◽  
Air Temperature ◽  
Climate Model ◽  
Ground Surface ◽  
North Slope ◽  
Active Layer Thickness ◽  
Near Surface ◽  
Surface Conditions ◽  
Air Temperatures ◽  
Ice Content

Abstract Alaska’s North Slope is predicted to experience twice the warming expected globally. When summers are longer and winters are shortened, ground surface conditions in the Arctic are expected to change considerably. This is significant for Arctic Alaska, a region that supports surface infrastructure such as energy extraction and transport assets (pipelines), buildings, roadways, and bridges. Climatic change at the ground surface has been shown to infiltrate soil layers beneath through the harmonic fluctuation of the active layer. Past studies found that warmer air temperature resulted in increasingly deeper thaw, leading to a deeper active layer. This study attempts to assess climate change based on the climate model data from the fifth phase of the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project and its impact on a study site on the North Slope. The predicted air temperature data are analyzed to evaluate how the freezing and thawing indices will change due to climate warming. A thermal model was developed that incorporated a ground surface condition defined by either undisturbed intact tundra or a gravel fill surface and applied climate model predicted air temperatures. Results indicate similar fluctuation in active layer thickness and values that fall within the range of minimum and maximum readings. It is found that the active layer thickens when the ground surface is either gravel fill or undisturbed tundra, but its thickness varies based on climate model predictions. These variations in active layer thickness are then analyzed by considering the near-surface frozen soil ice content. Analysis of results indicates that strain is most significant in the near-surface layers during thaw, indicating that settlement would be concurrent with annual thaw penetration. From this study, the climate model predicted air temperatures for a warming Arctic suggest that the thaw of near-surface frozen ground is largely dependent on ground surface conditions and the thermal properties of soil. Moreover, ice content is a major factor in the settlement predictions on Alaska’s North Slope. This study's results can help enhance the resilience of the existing and future new infrastructure in a changing Arctic environment.

Permafrost and active layer research on James Ross Island: An overview

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 20-36 ◽  
Author(s):  
Filip Hrbáček ◽  
Daniel Nývlt ◽  
Kamil Láska ◽  
Michaela Kňažková ◽  
Barbora Kampová ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Thermal Conductivity ◽  
Layer Thickness ◽  
Active Layer ◽  
Air Temperature ◽  
Thermal Regime ◽  
Ground Temperature ◽  
Active Layer Thickness ◽  
Near Surface ◽  
James Ross Island ◽  
The Mean

This study summarizes the current state of the active layer and permafrost research on James Ross Island. The analysis of climate parameters covers the reference period 2011–2017. The mean annual air temperature at the AWS-JGM site was -6.9°C (ranged from -3.9°C to -8.2°C). The mean annual ground temperature at the depth of 5 cm was -5.5°C (ranged from -3.3°C to -6.7°C) and it also reached -5.6°C (ranged from -4.0 to -6.8°C) at the depth of 50 cm. The mean daily ground temperature at the depth of 5 cm correlated moderately up to strongly with the air temperature depending on the season of the year. Analysis of the snow effect on the ground thermal regime confirmed a low insulating effect of snow cover when snow thickness reached up to 50 cm. A thicker snow accumulation, reaching at least 70 cm, can develop around the hyaloclastite breccia boulders where a well pronounced insulation effect on the near-surface ground thermal regime was observed. The effect of lithology on the ground physical properties and the active layer thickness was also investigated. Laboratory analysis of ground thermal properties showed variation in thermal conductivity (0.3 to 0.9 W m-1 K-1). The thickest active layer (89 cm) was observed on the Berry Hill slopes site, where the lowest thawing degree days index (321 to 382°C·day) and the highest value of thermal conductivity (0.9 W m-1 K-1) was observed. The clearest influence of lithological conditions on active layer thickness was observed on the CALM-S grid. The site comprises a sandy Holocene marine terrace and muddy sand of the Whisky Bay Formation. Surveying using a manual probe, ground penetrating radar, and an electromagnetic conductivity meter clearly showed the effect of the lithological boundary on local variability of the active layer thickness.

Interactions between climate, vegetation and the active layer in soils at two Maritime Antarctic sites

2006 ◽  
Vol 18 (3) ◽  
pp. 323-333 ◽  
Author(s):  
N. Cannone ◽  
J.C. Ellis Evans ◽  
R. Strachan ◽  
M. Guglielmin
Keyword(s):  
Layer Thickness ◽  
Active Layer ◽  
Air Temperature ◽  
Vegetation Type ◽  
Ground Surface ◽  
Active Layer Thickness ◽  
Maritime Antarctic ◽  
Orkney Islands ◽  
Signy Island ◽  
Air Temperatures

In the summer 2000–01, thermal monitoring of the permafrost active layer within various terrestrial sites covered by lichen, moss or grasses was undertaken at Jubany (King George Island) and Signy Island in the Maritime Antarctic. The results demonstrated the buffering effect of vegetation on ground surface temperature (GST) and the relationship between vegetation and active layer thickness. Vegetation type and coverage influenced the GST in both locations with highest variations and values in the Deschampsia and Usnea sites and the lowest variations and values in the Jubany moss site. Active layer thickness ranged from 57 cm (Jubany moss site) to 227 cm (Signy Deschampsia site). Active layer thickness data from Signy were compared with data collected at the same location four decades earlier. Using a regression equation for air temperature versus ground surface temperatures the patterns of changing air temperature over time suggest that the active layer thickness increased c. 30 cm between 1963 and 1990 and then decreased 30 cm between 1990 and 2000. The documented increased rate of warming (2°C ± 1) since 1950 for air temperatures recorded in the South Orkney Islands suggests that the overall trend of active layer thickness increase will be around 1 cm year−1.

scholarly journals Spatio-Temporal Variations of Soil Active Layer Thickness in Chinese Boreal Forests from 2000 to 2015

2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (8) ◽  
pp. 1225 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiongxiong Bai ◽  
Jian Yang ◽  
Bo Tao ◽  
Wei Ren
Keyword(s):  
Surface Temperature ◽  
Layer Thickness ◽  
Active Layer ◽  
Air Temperature ◽  
Climate Warming ◽  
Boreal Forests ◽  
Ground Surface ◽  
Active Layer Thickness ◽  
Ground Surface Temperature ◽  
Spatio Temporal

The soil active layer in boreal forests is sensitive to climate warming. Climate-induced changes in the active layer may greatly affect the global carbon budget and planetary climatic system by releasing large quantities of greenhouse gases that currently are stored in permafrost. Ground surface temperature is an immediate driver of active layer thickness (ALT) dynamics. In this study, we mapped ALT distribution in Chinese boreal larch forests from 2000 to 2015 by integrating remote sensing data with the Stefan equation. We then examined the changes of the ALT in response to changes in ground surface temperature and identified drivers of the spatio-temporal patterns of ALT. Active layer thickness varied from 1.18 to 1.3 m in the study area. Areas of nonforested land and low elevation or with increased air temperature had a relatively high ALT, whereas ALT was lower at relatively high elevation and with decreased air temperatures. Interannual variations of ALT had no obvious trend, however, and the ALT changed at a rate of only −0.01 and 0.01 m year−1. In a mega-fire patch of 79,000 ha burned in 2003, ΔALT (ALTi − ALT2002, where 2003 ≤ i ≤ 2015) was significantly higher than in the unburned area, with the influence of the wildfire persisting 10 years. Under the high emission scenario (RCP8.5), an increase of 2.6–4.8 °C in mean air temperature would increase ALT into 1.46–1.55 m by 2100, which in turn would produce a significant positive feedback to climate warming.

Spatial variability of permafrost active-layer thickness under contemporary and projected climate in Northern Alaska

2012 ◽  
Vol 35 (2) ◽  
pp. 95-116 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dmitry A. Streletskiy ◽  
Nikolay I. Shiklomanov ◽  
Frederick E. Nelson
Keyword(s):  
Spatial Variability ◽  
Layer Thickness ◽  
Active Layer ◽  
Active Layer Thickness ◽  
Northern Alaska

Mapping patterns of distribution and modern conditions of permafrost landscapes in Yakutia

2020 ◽  
pp. 52-62
Author(s):  
A.A. Shestakova ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Layer Thickness ◽  
Active Layer ◽  
Anthropogenic Impacts ◽  
Active Layer Thickness ◽  
Thematic Maps ◽  
Digital Maps ◽  
Soil Temperatures ◽  
Ice Content ◽  
Cryogenic Processes ◽  
Modern Condition

Digital thematic maps of the modern condition of permafrost landscapes of Yakutia on a scale of 1:1 500 000 have been compiled. A quantitative analysis of the patterns of their spatial distribution was carried out, the differentiation of permafrost landscapes by geocryological characteristics was made, and the areas that are most vulnerable to modern climate change and anthropogenic impacts were identified. The analysis of a series of digital thematic maps of the modern condition of permafrost landscapes in Yakutia showed that 34% of the total territory is occupied by landscapes with soil temperatures from −2 to −4 °C, the least common high-temperature permafrost landscapes (from 0 to −2 °C) – about 4% of the territory. Landscapes with active layer thickness values of about 1 m are spread over 36% of the territory, which is the highest indicator. Insignificant territories (up to 3%) are occupied by landscapes with active layer thickness of up to 3 and 3,5 m. The most widespread landscapes are those with low-ice deposits (less than 0,2) – 38,7%, and landscapes with heavy-ice deposits (more than 0,4) occupy 31%. The most dangerous process is thermokarst, which occurs in the interalassic and slightly drained types of terrain. Key words: permafrost landscape, temperature of soils, ice content of deposits, cryogenic processes, digital maps, GIS model.

scholarly journals Mapping the Main Characteristics of Permafrost on the Basis of a Permafrost-Landscape Map of Yakutia Using GIS

Land ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (5) ◽  
pp. 462
Author(s):  
Alyona A. Shestakova ◽  
Alexander N. Fedorov ◽  
Yaroslav I. Torgovkin ◽  
Pavel Y. Konstantinov ◽  
Nikolay F. Vasyliev ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Layer Thickness ◽  
Active Layer ◽  
Climatic Conditions ◽  
Active Layer Thickness ◽  
Distribution Maps ◽  
Ground Temperatures ◽  
Cryogenic Process ◽  
The Republic ◽  
Ice Content ◽  
Landscape Map

The purpose of this article was to compile four separate digital thematic maps of temperature and ice content of permafrost, the active layer thickness, and cryogenic processes in Yakutia as a basis for assessing changes to modern climate changes and anthropogenic disturbances. In this work, materials on permafrost were used, serving as the basis for compiling a permafrost landscape map of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia). The maps were compiled using ArcGIS software, which supports attribute table mapping. The ground temperature and active layer thickness maps reflected landscape zonality and regional differences. Peculiarities of genetic types of Quaternary deposits and climatic conditions reflected the ice content of surface sediments and cryogenic process distribution maps. One of the most common is ground temperatures from −2.1 to −4.0 °C, which were found to occupy about 37.4% of the territory of Yakutia. More than half of the region was found to be occupied by permafrost landscapes with a limited thickness of the active layer up to 1.1 m. Ice-rich permafrost (more than 0.4 in ice content) was found to be typical for about 40% of the territory. Thermokarst is the most hazardous process that occurs in half of Yakutia.

scholarly journals A multisite dataset of near-surface soil temperature, active-layer thickness, and soil and vegetation conditions measured in northwestern Canada, 2016-2017

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Y Zhang ◽  
R Touzi ◽  
W Feng ◽  
G Hong ◽  
T C Lantz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Layer Thickness ◽  
Active Layer ◽  
Land Use Planning ◽  
Surface Soil ◽  
Active Layer Thickness ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Near Surface ◽  
Soil Temperatures ◽  
Surface Soil Temperature ◽  
Boreal Landscape

Quantifying and understanding spatial variation in permafrost conditions at the landscape-scale is important for land use planning and assessing the impacts of permafrost thaw. This report documents detailed field data observed at 110 sites in two areas in northwestern Canada from 2016 to 2017. One area is a northern boreal landscape near Inuvik and the other is a tundra landscape near Tuktoyaktuk. The observations include near-surface soil temperatures (Tnss) at 107 sites, and active-layer thickness, soil and vegetation conditions at 110 sites. The data set includes the original Tnss records, the calculated daily, monthly, and annual averages of Tnss, soil and vegetation conditions at these sites, and photographs taken in the field. This data set will be useful for understanding the spatial heterogeneity of permafrost and validating modelling and mapping products.

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