Permafrost hydrology in changing climatic conditions: seasonal variability of stable isotope composition in rivers in discontinuous permafrost

Role of changing climatic conditions on permafrost degradation and hydrology was investigated in the transition zone between the tundra and forest ecotones at the boundary of continuous and discontinuous permafrost of the lower Yenisei River. Three watersheds of various sizes were chosen to represent the characteristics of the regional landscape conditions. Samples of river flow, precipitation, snow cover, and permafrost ground ice were collected over the watersheds to determine isotopic composition of potential sources of water in a river flow over a two year period. Increases in air temperature over the last forty years have resulted in permafrost degradation and a decrease in the seasonal frost which is evident from soil temperature measurements, permafrost and active-layer monitoring, and analysis of satellite imagery. The lowering of the permafrost table has led to an increased storage capacity of permafrost affected soils and a higher contribution of ground water to river discharge during winter months. A progressive decrease in the thickness of the layer of seasonal freezing allows more water storage and pathways for water during the winter low period making winter discharge dependent on the timing and amount of late summer precipitation. There is a substantial seasonal variability of stable isotopic composition of river flow. Spring flooding corresponds to the isotopic composition of snow cover prior to the snowmelt. Isotopic composition of river flow during the summer period follows the variability of precipitation in smaller creeks, while the water flow of larger watersheds is influenced by the secondary evaporation of water temporarily stored in thermokarst lakes and bogs. Late summer precipitation determines the isotopic composition of texture ice within the active layer in tundra landscapes and the seasonal freezing layer in forested landscapes as well as the composition of the water flow during winter months

Chemical and Ecological Status of the District Igarka Krasnoyarsk Territory

Was investigated chemical-ecological status of surface waters in the vicinity of Igarka using a mix of physical and chemical methods. In the water bodies have been found significant amounts of toxic metals and some organic compounds of anthropogenic origin. Were set for the maximum permissible concentration: Fe – 67; Hg – 60; Al – 20; Mn – 1,7; Zn – 1,6 and Ni – 1,3 in accordance with the requirements for fishery waters; Fe – 22; Al ~ 3 ; Ni and Hg – 1 in accordance with the requirements for drinking water. Revealed excess of MPC for methanol to 600 times. The obtained results allow us to assess the environmental situation in the Arctic region of Krasnoyarsk Territory (Igarka) as criticalВ ходе химико-экологического мониторинга обстановки в нижнем течении р. Енисей в районе г. Игарки на расстоянии 120 км к северу от Полярного круга с использованием комплекса физико- химических методов исследования в водных объектах обнаружены значительные количества токсических металлов и ряд органических соединений техногенного происхождения. Установлены превышения ПДК для Fe – 67; Hg – 60; Al – 20; Mn – 1,7; Zn – 1,6 и Ni – 1,3 в соответствии с требованиями для рыбохозяйственных водоемов; Fe – 22; Al ~3; Ni и Hg – 1 в соответствии с требованиями для питьевого водоснабжения. Выявлено превышение ПДК для метанола до 600 раз. Полученные результаты позволяют оценить экологическую обстановку в арктическом районе Красноярского края (г. Игарка) как критическу

Chemical and Ecological Status of the District Igarka Krasnoyarsk Territory

Was investigated chemical-ecological status of surface waters in the vicinity of Igarka using a mix of physical and chemical methods. In the water bodies have been found significant amounts of toxic metals and some organic compounds of anthropogenic origin. Were set for the maximum permissible concentration: Fe – 67; Hg – 60; Al – 20; Mn – 1,7; Zn – 1,6 and Ni – 1,3 in accordance with the requirements for fishery waters; Fe – 22; Al ~ 3 ; Ni and Hg – 1 in accordance with the requirements for drinking water. Revealed excess of MPC for methanol to 600 times. The obtained results allow us to assess the environmental situation in the Arctic region of Krasnoyarsk Territory (Igarka) as criticalВ ходе химико-экологического мониторинга обстановки в нижнем течении р. Енисей в районе г. Игарки на расстоянии 120 км к северу от Полярного круга с использованием комплекса физико- химических методов исследования в водных объектах обнаружены значительные количества токсических металлов и ряд органических соединений техногенного происхождения. Установлены превышения ПДК для Fe – 67; Hg – 60; Al – 20; Mn – 1,7; Zn – 1,6 и Ni – 1,3 в соответствии с требованиями для рыбохозяйственных водоемов; Fe – 22; Al ~3; Ni и Hg – 1 в соответствии с требованиями для питьевого водоснабжения. Выявлено превышение ПДК для метанола до 600 раз. Полученные результаты позволяют оценить экологическую обстановку в арктическом районе Красноярского края (г. Игарка) как критическу

Springtime Flood Risk Reduction in Rural Arctic: A Comparative Study of Interior Alaska, United States and Central Yakutia, Russia

Every spring, riverine communities throughout the Arctic face flood risk. As the river ice begins to thaw and break up, ice jams—accumulation of chunks and sheets of ice in the river channel, force melt water and ice floes to back up for dozens of kilometers and flood vulnerable communities upstream. Via a comparative analysis between two flood-prone communities in Alaska and Yakutia (Siberia), this study examines key components of flood risk—hazards, exposure, and vulnerability, and existing practices in flood risk reduction in rural Arctic. The research sites are two rural communities—Galena (Yukon River) and Edeytsy (Lena River), which sustained major ice-jam floods in May 2013. The data was acquired through a combination of direct observations on site, review of documents and archives, focus group discussions, and surveys. Five focus groups with US and Russian representatives from disaster management agencies revealed a few similar patterns as well as significant differences in flood risk reduction strategies. The main differences included higher reliance on mechanical and short-term ice jam and flood mitigation efforts (e.g., ice-jam demolition) in the Russian Arctic, and lack of a centralized flood management model in the US. Surveys conducted among population at risk during the site visits to Edeytsy (November 2015) and Galena (March 2016) revealed higher satisfaction levels with the existing flood risk reduction efforts among Edeytsy residents. Survey respondents in Galena indicated the lack of ice jam removal and other flood prevention measures as the key drawback in the existing flood management. Historical analysis, conducted via the disaster Pressure and Release (PAR) model, revealed that springtime flood risk in both regions results from complex interactions among a series of natural processes that generate conditions of hazard, and human actions that generate conditions of communities’ exposure and vulnerability. The analysis revealed colonial heritage, top-down governance, and limited inclusion of local communities in the decision-making as the driving forces of vulnerability in both regions. Seasonal weather patterns and regional river channel morphology determine the location, severity, and duration of floods. The analysis also revealed the importance of continuous communication between all stakeholders in timely and effective flood risk management in both regions