The importance of freeze–thaw cycles for lateral tracer transport in ice-wedge polygons

Jafarov, Elchin E.; Svyatsky, Daniil; Newman, Brent; Harp, Dylan; Moulton, David; Wilson, Cathy

doi:10.5194/tc-16-851-2022

The importance of freeze–thaw cycles for lateral tracer transport in ice-wedge polygons

Journal Article · Thu Mar 10 23:00:00 EST 2022 · The Cryosphere (Online)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-16-851-2022· OSTI ID:1854616

; Svyatsky, Daniil; Newman, Brent; ; Moulton, David;

Abstract. A significant portion of the Arctic coastal plain is classified as polygonal tundra and plays a vital role in soil carbon cycling. Recent research suggests that lateral transport of dissolved carbon could exceed vertical carbon releases to the atmosphere. However, the details of lateral subsurface flow in polygonal tundra have not been well studied. We incorporated a subsurface transport process into an existing state-of-the-art hydrothermal model. The model captures the physical effects of freeze–thaw cycles on lateral flow in polygonal tundra. The new modeling capability enables non-reactive tracer movement within subsurface. We utilized this new capability to investigate the impact of freeze–thaw cycles on lateral flow in the polygonal tundra. Our study indicates the important role of freeze–thaw cycles and the freeze-up effect in lateral tracer transport, suggesting that dissolved species could be transported from the middle of the polygon to the sides within a couple of thaw seasons. Introducing lateral carbon transport into the climate models could substantially reduce the uncertainty associated with the impact of thawing permafrost.

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Sponsoring Organization:: USDOE

OSTI ID:: 1854616

Alternate ID(s):: OSTI ID: 1880479

Journal Information:: The Cryosphere (Online), Journal Name: The Cryosphere (Online) Journal Issue: 3 Vol. 16; ISSN 1994-0424

Publisher:: Copernicus GmbHCopyright Statement

Country of Publication:: Germany

Language:: English

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