Redistribution of ions within the active layer and upper permafrost, Yamal, Russia

A landslide-affected slope was chosen to study the ionic migration in the active layer and upper portion of permafrost. The research was conducted in two stages, in 1994 and 2001. Several boreholes, in dry and wet environments of the shearing surface of a 1989-landslide, were drilled. A background borehole on an undisturbed site was sampled as well. Each sample, collected from the core, underwent a conventional chemical cation-anion analysis. The results showed desalinization of the active layer and upper permafrost, which occurred in 7 years. Different migration rates noted for various salts determine change of ionic composition from marine pattern to continental, because mobile ions are washed away by surface and subsurface runoff, while the less mobile ones are accumulating in the upper portion of the active layer due to capillary rise and at the active layer base on a geochemical barrier

Классификация криогенно-оползневых форм рельефа для целей картографирования и прогноза

A classification of cryogenic-landslide landforms is developed for mapping their distribution and dynamics. It is based on the previously suggested classification subdividing cryogenic landsliding into two main types: cryogenic translational landslides (or active-layer detachment slides), and cryogenic earth flows (or retrogressive thaw slumps). The increased proportion of retrogressive thaw slumps compared to active layer detachments in the North of West Siberia in the last decade creates the need for an expanded classification of cryogenic earth flows. One of the important issues is separating the process of landsliding and resulting landforms, which in English are covered by one term ‘retrogressive thaw slump’. In dealing with the landforms, we distinguish (1) open and (2) closed ones. Open cryogenic-landslide landforms are those formed by the retreating of the coast bluff due to the thaw of ice or ice-rich deposits with an additional impact from wave or stream action. Closed cryogenic-landslide landforms are those initiated on a slope landward, and thawed material is delivered to the coast or stream through an erosional channel. Morphologically we distinguish thermocirques and thermoterraces depending on the shape of the retreating headwall, crescent or linear, respectively. An important issue is the type of ground ice subjected to thaw: tabular, ice-wedge or constitutional ground ice are distinguished. Landforms can be active, stabilized or ancient. One can find both single landforms and their combination. The classification is based on a significant amount of field studies and interpretation of remote sensing data. Mapping of the cryogenic-landslide landforms is suggested using the proposed classification and indication features. The classification is based on the experience obtained mainly in the north of West Siberia. Applying it to other regions may require additional studies.Разработана классификация криогенно-оползневых форм рельефа, сформированных криогенными оползнями течения (КОТФР), для картографирования их распространения и динамики. В основе лежит значительный объем полевых исследований и интерпретации данных дистанционного зондирования Земли. Классификация включает генетические, морфологические и криолитологические особенности пород, определяющие морфологию и динамику КОТФР, их положение в рельефе, степень их активности, сочетание и комплексирование единичных КОТФР. Предложенная классификация и индикационные признаки используются для картографирования КОТФР на севере Западной Сибири

Мониторинг изменений рельефа полигональных торфяников, примыкающих к автодороге Заполярное — Тазовский

The thawing of polygonal ice wedges determines the dynamics of polygonal peatland relief. The polygonal peat plateaus in the Pur-Taz interfluve account for an average of 6,5 % of the total area. The purpose of the proposed study is to establish the short-term rates and direction of change in the plateaus’ relief under the combined action of technogenic and natural factors, using monitoring data for the period 2005–2022. Based on satellite images and orthophotoplans, elements of the peat plateaus have been outlined and their areas have been determined for different time slices. The studies were carried out on a peat plateau immediately adjacent to the highway (T1) and on a background peat plateau at a distance of about 1.5 km from the highway (T2). To identify the natural causes of changes in the relief of the peat plateaus, the influence of climatic parameters is considered. The rates of relief change in natural conditions and under the impact of the highway are also compared. It has been established that in the area to the north-west of the highway the relief of the T1 polygonal peat plateau has stabilized. In the south-east section of T1, degradation has sharply increased after the construction of the highway. Due to the degradation of the polygons, the polygonal troughs expanded. In the background peat plateau T2, the rate of relief degradation is somewhat higher than in the northwestern portion of T1. Comparison of the main climatic parameters and degradation rates of the polygonal relief did not show any clear correlations. Probably, of greater importance are the regime of atmospheric precipitation, the redistribution of surface runoff and recurrence of flooding and drainage of the polygonal troughs, determined by the rhythmic course of the relief degradation.Вытаивание полигонально-жильных льдов (ПЖЛ) определяет динамику рельефа полигональных торфяников. Массивы полигональных торфяников Пур-Тазовского междуречья составляют в среднем 6,5 % от общей площади. Целью исследования является установление краткосрочных темпов и направленности изменения рельефа торфяников под совместным действием техногенных и естественных факторов, основанное на мониторинге за период 2005–2022 гг. По спутниковым снимкам и ортофотопланам оконтурены морфологические элементы торфяника и определены их площади за разные годы. Исследования проведены на торфянике, непосредственно прилегающем к автодороге, покрытой бетонными плитами (Т1), и на фоновом торфянике на удалении примерно в 1,5 км от дороги (Т2). Для выявления естественных причин изменения рельефа торфяников рассмотрено влияние базовых климатических характеристик. Установлено, что на участке к северо-западу от дороги наблюдается стабилизация полигонального торфяника Т1. На юго-восточном участке Т1 деградация после строительства дороги резко усилилась. Полигональные канавы расширялись за счет деградации полигонов. На фоновом торфянике Т2 скорость разрушения поверхности несколько выше, чем на северо-западном участке Т1. Сопоставление основных показателей климата и скоростей деградации полигонального рельефа не дало явных зависимостей. Вероятно, большее значение имеет режим атмосферных осадков, перераспределение поверхностного стока и смена режимов затопления полигональных канав и их дренирования, определяемого ритмичным ходом деградации рельефа

Assessment of spring floods and surface water extent over the Yamalo-Nenets autonomous district

Remote sensing of Arctic water bodies is an essential method for monitoring the dynamics of frozen ground. Thaw lake change provides insight into the state of permafrost. In the vast Arctic and sub-Arctic areas capturing changes in lake extent is assisted by satellite data. In particular, active microwave sensors can be used in a straightforward manner for water body classifications.This study uses the pan-Siberian datasets that are provided under the ESA STSE-ALANIS methane project. Surface water classifications in 10-day intervals have been produced using Envisat ASAR (Advanced Synthetic Aperture Radar) operating in wide swath mode. The high temporal frequency of these data allows an investigation of surface hydrology on an intra-annual basis.The current study applies a post-processing algorithm to the ALANIS products in order to investigate changes in surface inundation across the Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous District over the summer period of 2007. Multiple areas are found to exhibit changes in surface inundation. Strong seasonal variations occur in areas where previous investigations determined disappearing lakes. Spring floods associated with the depletion of snow-cover and melt waters as well as floodplain dynamics can be identified. On the Yamal peninsula, these changes occur most dominantly in the west; an area subject to anthropogenic land-use change. Changes in water body extent for each hot spot of seasonal variations are quantified and discussed.European Space Agency (ESA) Support to Science Element (STSE) programme (ESRIN)the European Union FP7-ENVAustrian Science Fund (FWF

Tabular ground ice origin: cryolithological and isotope-geochemical study

An integrated cryolithological-isotope-geochemical study was undertaken at five sites in the Arctic within the framework of a three-year INTAS project. The conclusion based on geochemical analyses is that at the Asian westernmost Yugorsky to the easternmost Chukotka, marine sedimentation changed to subaerial followed by permafrost and massive ice formation due to the regression of the polar basin. Burial of the surface ice was possible, mainly in the mountainous areas of the Arctic coasts, i.e. the Urals and Chukotka

Tabular ground ice mapping technique on the central Yamal

В результате анализа данных бурения и опубликованных материалов составлена карта глубины залегания кровли пластового льда. Карта базируется на применении схемы ландшафтных индикационных признаков. Установлено, что пластовые льды залегают ближе к поверхности на останцах морских равнин, а глубже на участках, переработанных термокарстом.The Map of tabular ground ice depth was compiled as a result of the analysis of borehole and published data. The Map is based on a landscape featuresindicators method. It is established that tabular ground ice occurs closer to the surface within outliers of marine plains, and deeper at the lowered surfaces subjected to thermokarst