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THE EFFECTS OF PERMAFROST DEGRADATION ON THE HYDROLOGICAL REGIME OF SUBARCTIC PEATLANDS
Session: Permafrost Degradation II / Dégradation du pergélisol II
Michael Braverman, Inspec-Sol Inc (Canada)
William Quinton, Cold Regions Hydrology – Wilfrid Laurier University, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada (Canada)
Permafrost thaw is a direct consequence of human disturbance in Arctic and Subarctic regions. Thin and warm permafrost is most sensitive to surface disturbance and may disappear within a few decades following an initial disturbance. Seismic lines are one of the most common types of linear disturbance, yet their impact is poorly understood. A distinctive feature of seismic lines is their geometry. These straight cut lines cross fens, bogs, peat plateaus, rivers and lakes thereby connecting hydrological units, which were otherwise disconnected. . The relatively warm water from lakes and fens may enter these lines contributing to further degradation of permafrost. The purpose of this study is to characterize ground water dynamics between major hydrological units in the region of discontinuous permafrost. A number of geophysical surveys were conducted to delineate permafrost, peat and mineral soil borders. . We found that as soon as the permafrost table descends below the water table, the seismic line creates a link between fens and bogs, slowly conveying water along the line. The water flow may take place all year round if it is not interrupted by accidental freeze of the talik layer between the active layer and permafrost.
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