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Title: Microtopographic and depth controls on active layer chemistry in Arctic polygonal ground

Journal Article · · Geophysical Research Letters
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1002/2014GL062804· OSTI ID:1265383
 [1];  [1];  [2];  [3];  [4];  [3];  [4];  [1];  [2];  [2];  [5];  [6]
  1. Los Alamos National Lab. (LANL), Los Alamos, NM (United States). Earth and Environmental Sciences Division
  2. Oak Ridge National Lab. (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States). Biosciences Division
  3. Oak Ridge National Lab. (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States). Environmental Sciences Division
  4. Lawrence Berkeley National Lab. (LBNL), Berkeley, CA (United States). Earth Sciences Division
  5. Los Alamos National Lab. (LANL), Los Alamos, NM (United States)
  6. Oak Ridge National Lab. (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States). Environmental Sciences
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Abstract Polygonal ground is a signature characteristic of Arctic lowlands, and carbon release from permafrost thaw can alter feedbacks to Arctic ecosystems and climate. This study describes the first comprehensive spatial examination of active layer biogeochemistry that extends across high‐ and low‐centered, ice wedge polygons, their features, and with depth. Water chemistry measurements of 54 analytes were made on surface and active layer pore waters collected near Barrow, Alaska, USA. Significant differences were observed between high‐ and low‐centered polygons suggesting that polygon types may be useful for landscape‐scale geochemical classification. However, differences were found for polygon features (centers and troughs) for analytes that were not significant for polygon type, suggesting that finer‐scale features affect biogeochemistry differently from polygon types. Depth variations were also significant, demonstrating important multidimensional aspects of polygonal ground biogeochemistry. These results have major implications for understanding how polygonal ground ecosystems function, and how they may respond to future change.

Research Organization:
Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE Office of Science (SC)
Grant/Contract Number:
AC05-00OR22725
OSTI ID:
1265383
Alternate ID(s):
OSTI ID: 1402215
Journal Information:
Geophysical Research Letters, Vol. 42, Issue 6; ISSN 0094-8276
Publisher:
American Geophysical UnionCopyright Statement
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Citation Metrics:
Cited by: 41 works
Citation information provided by
Web of Science

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Cited By (9)

Tundra landform and vegetation productivity trend maps for the Arctic Coastal Plain of northern Alaska journal April 2018
14C evidence that millennial and fast-cycling soil carbon are equally sensitive to warming journal May 2019
Modeling anaerobic soil organic carbon decomposition in Arctic polygon tundra: insights into soil geochemical influences on carbon mineralization journal January 2019
Timing and duration of hydrological transitions in Arctic polygonal ground from stable isotopes journal November 2019
Isotopic insights into methane production, oxidation, and emissions in Arctic polygon tundra journal June 2016
Geochemical drivers of organic matter decomposition in arctic tundra soils journal December 2015
Soil moisture and hydrology projections of the permafrost region – a model intercomparison journal January 2020
Active layer hydrology in an arctic tundra ecosystem: quantifying water sources and cycling using water stable isotopes: Active Layer Hydrology in the Arctic Coastal Plain journal August 2016
Tundra landform and vegetation productivity trend maps for the Arctic Coastal Plain of northern Alaska text January 2020

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Related Subjects

58 GEOSCIENCES
37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
Arctic
Geochemistry
Soil Water chemistry
Permafrost
Polygonal Ground
Active Layer