Simulated Spatial and Temporal Distribution of Freezing and Thawing Fronts in CAS‐FGOALS‐g3. (20th October 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Li, Ruichao; Xie, Jinbo; Xie, Zhenghui; Gao, Junqiang; Jia, Binghao; Qin, Peihua; Li, Lijuan; Wang, Bin; Yu, Yongqiang; Dong, Li; Wang, Longhuan; Wang, Yan; Liu, Bin; Chen, Si
• Is Part Of: Journal of advances in modeling earth systems. Volume 13:Number 10(2021)
• Page Start: n/a
• Page End: n/a
• Publication Date: 2021-10-20
• Subjects: freezing and thawing fronts -- spatial and temporal distribution -- climate system model -- active layer thickness; Geological modeling -- Periodicals; Climatology -- Periodicals; Geochemical modeling -- Periodicals; 551.5011
• DOI: 10.1029/2020MS002152
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1942-2466

Abstract

Abstract: In this study, we implement a new frozen‐soil parameterization scheme into the climate system model CAS‐FGOALS‐g3 to investigate the dynamic changes of freezing and thawing fronts and the effects arising from thermal processes and climate. Simulations are conducted using the developed model to validate its performance relative to multi‐source observations. It is shown that the model could reasonably reproduce soil freezing and thawing processes, including dynamic changes in freezing and thawing fronts. The historical simulation shows that the maximum freeze depth increases with an increase of latitude in seasonally frozen ground, and the active layer thickness decreases with an increase of latitude in permafrost regions. The active layer thickness shows increasing trends while the maximum freeze depth shows decreasing trends, which is consistent with change in the 2‐m air temperature. In conclusion, these results have the potential to further deepen our understanding of the freeze‐thaw cycle process and the historical response of permafrost to climate change. Plain Language Summary: The dynamic changes of freezing and thawing fronts have a significant influence on the surface energy balance, hydrological processes, cold‐zone engineering practices and the terrestrial carbon cycle. In this study, a frozen‐ground algorithm that considers the dynamic changes of freezing and thawing fronts is implemented in a global climate system model to investigate the dynamic changes of freezing and thawing fronts and the effects arising from thermal processes and climate. It is shown that the developed model can reasonably reproduce soil freezing and thawing processes, including changes in freezing and thawing fronts. The active layer thickness shows increasing trends, and the maximum freeze depth shows decreasing trends. These results have the potential to further deepen our understanding of the freeze‐thaw cycle process and the historical response of permafrost. Key Points: A new frozen soil algorithm, including freezing and thawing fronts, is implemented in the climate model CAS‐FGOALS‐g3 The updated model can capture changes of freezing and thawing fronts, which affects soil moisture and soil temperature The active layer thickness shows increasing trends, while the maximum freeze depth shows decreasing trends