Soil Physical and Environmental Conditions Controlling Patterned‐Ground Variability at a Continuous Permafrost Site, Svalbard. (5th November 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Watanabe, Tatsuya; Matsuoka, Norikazu; Christiansen, Hanne H.; Cable, Stefanie
• Is Part Of: Permafrost and periglacial processes. Volume 28:Number 2(2017:Apr./Jun.)
• Page Start: 433
• Page End: 445
• Publication Date: 2016-11-05
• Subjects: active layer -- hummock -- ice‐wedge polygon -- mudboil -- patterned ground -- Svalbard; Frozen ground -- Periodicals; Sols gelés -- Périodiques; Périglaciaire -- Périodiques; 551.3805
• DOI: 10.1002/ppp.1924
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1045-6740

Abstract

Abstract: This study examines soil physical and environmental conditions controlling patterned‐ground variability on an alluvial fan in a continuous permafrost landscape, at Adventdalen, Svalbard. On‐site monitoring of ground temperature, soil moisture and snow depth, laboratory analyses of soil physical properties and principal component analysis indicate that the distribution of patterned ground depends primarily on soil texture, soil moisture and the winter ground thermal regime associated with snow cover. Mudboils and composite patterns (mudboils surrounded by small polygons) occupy well‐drained areas composed of clay‐rich aeolian sediments. Compared to mudboils, composite patterns show a sharper contrast in soil texture between barren centres and vegetated rims. Hummocks filled with organic materials develop on poorly drained lowlands associated with a shallow water table. Ice‐wedge polygons are dominant on sandy loess‐covered areas where the local wind regime minimises snow cover, enhancing ground cooling that promotes thermal contraction cracking. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.