The combined effect of temperature, moisture and phosphorus availability on soil organic matter mineralization in permafrost affected soils of northern circumpolar region was investigated. This study was a part of research activities of the European project CryoCARB and it was primarily focused on the cryoturbated organic horizons of permafrost affected soils. During this study, the temperature sensitivity of the organic matter mineralization and its relation to the soil moisture and phosphorus availability was investigated using series of incubation experiments and field measurements.

No description available.

The factors affecting the distribution of surge-type glaciers and the causes of the surge mechanism are not fully understood. Statistical analyses of glaciers in Svalbard have been used to identify characteristics which are related to surging. Field experiments were undertaken on Bjuvbreen, a small surge-type glacier in central Spitsbergen, to determine the dynamics and hydrology of the glacier during its quiescent phase. The probability that a glacier in the Svalbard sample population was surge-type was 36·4%. The probability varied spatially within the sample area. Glaciers resting on sedimentary tocks had a greater probability of being surge-type compared to those overlying igneous or metamorphic rocks. The probability of surging was also increased in glaciers with a two-layered thermal structure as indicated by radio echo sounding. Geometrical characteristics such as slope, orientation, curvature and the presence of tributaries were not related to surge-type behaviour, although long glaciers had a greater chance of being surge-type. Certain aspects of Kamb's and Fowler's theories of surging were not supported by the statistical analysis. Despite the associations between surging and certain characteristics, no single factor fully explained the observed geographical distribution of surge-type glaciers in Svalbard. Bjuvbreen is a small surge-type in its quiescent phase. Changes in the geometry of the glacier are occurring relatively slowly. This slow rate of change is a function the low accumulation rates on Svalbard glaciers. On the basis of a simple model, the next surge of Bjuvbreen is predicted to occur between .2022- 2055, indicating a comparatively long quiescent period of -90-130 years. Bjuvbreen is comprised of two dynamically distinct zones which are separated by a large bulge. The lower portion of the glacier is inactive and stagnating, in contrast to the active ice up.:.glacier from the bulge. The observed velocity of the active region was compared with various hydrological characteristics of the glacier. The inferred behaviour of water within the glacier seems to have some, although limited, influence on the ice motion. A spatially restricted drainage system is the probable reason for this limited influence of hydrology on glacier velocity.

No description available.

No description available.

The phenology of plants in northern ecosystems is currently changing. Roots have a key role in these ecosystems, though the phenology of roots is still poorly understood. The aim of this report was to investigate if above- and belowground phenology of the circumpolar sedge Eriophorum vaginatum was synchronized in a subarctic peatland underlain by permafrost, and to investigate which abiotic factors are limiting root growth. Additionally, the length of the belowground growing season was examined. The study was performed with a non-destructive in situ method (minirhizotrons and NDVI measurements) in the northernmost part of Sweden. Both above- and belowground phenology was measured biweekly during the whole growing season in 2016. The depth of the active layer, air temperature, soil temperature and soil moisture were measured to investigate the determinants of root growth. Root growth and aboveground activity was asynchronous, as peak in root growth occurred on average 21 days before maximum NDVI was reached. Soil temperature and thaw depth seem to be important factors regulating root growth in this peatland. The result highlight that solely studying the aboveground parts of plants can give a misleading interpretation about the phenology of the entire plant and thus during which time periods important ecosystem processes take place. Hence, to more accurate forecast ecosystem responses to global warming, both aboveground and belowground phenology should be considered.

Denna studie är ett försök att modellera den alpina permafrostens utbredning inom Kebnekaisemassivet i norra Lappland. En karta som visar sannolikheten för permafrostens utbredning har skapats med hjälp av data från Bottom Temperature of Snow cover (BTS) - mätningar samt statistisk modellering genom logistisk regression. Fältstudien genomfördes under mars till april 2011 med totalt 56 BTS-punkter från 1073 till 1805 m.ö.h. Permafrostförekomsten bestämdes vara en funktion av höjden. För att utreda detta användes stepwise selection som är en metod för att identifiera statistiskt signifikanta variabler gentemot en beroende variabel. De andra parametrarna som testades var topografins sluttningsgradient, riktningen av den maximala lutningen och den potentiella solinstrålningen. Dessa parametrars inverkan på permafrostförekomsten ansågs vara försumbara, och de bortsågs därför från i modelleringen. Modelleringen indikerar att permafrost med sannolikhet större än 0,8 existerar över 1190 m.ö.h, och med sannolikhet mellan 0,8 till 0,5 finns mellan 1190 till 1144 m.ö.h. Eftersom fältstudien är begränsad till Tarfaladalen så är modelleringens förutsägelse för förekomsten av permafrost i andra delar av fjällmassivet mera osäkert. / This study presents an attempt to model the limits of mountain permafrost distribution within the Kebnekaise massif in northern Sweden. A map showing the probabilities for the mountain permafrost distribution has been created using statistical modelling through logistic regression of Bottom Temperature of Snow cover (BTS) measurements. The survey was conducted in March to April 2011 with a total of 56 BTS-point measurements stretching from 1073 to 1805 m.a.s.l. Permafrost occurrence was determined to be a function of altitude. This was determined by a stepwise selection analysis, a method used for identifying parameters with a statistical significance against a dependent variable. The other parameters that were tested for significance were the slope and aspect of the topography, and the potential incoming solar radiation. Although these might have an influence on the permafrost occurrence, they were considered to be of less importance and were thus neglected in the modelling. The model indicates permafrost with greater than 0,8 probability at and above 1190 m.a.s.l, and with probability from 0,8 to 0,5 between 1190 to 1144 m.a.s.l. Since the survey was carried in the Tarfala valley, the result of the modelling is more uncertain in the parts of the area which lie outside of this valley.

A generalized engineering classification method for characterizing Pleistocene glacial materials on the basis of their glaciological mode of origin is presented in this thesis. In formulating the classification an interdisciplinary approach has been adopted. The geotechnical aspects have been based largely on data from extensive site investigations undertaken at the Brenig dam site in North Wales, supplemented where necessary by data obtained from the glaciological and geotechnical literature. Particular attention has been paid to the macrofabric of the deposits in view of the controlling influence that discontinuities exert on engineering behaviour. The glaciological appraisal of the materials has also relied heavily on detailed evaluation of the engineering behaviour and textural properties of the Brenig deposits. However, in order to extend the applicability of the proposed classification to other locations, the site-specific data has been correlated with results from current glaciological research on modern arctic and temperate glaciers. As a prerequisite for such an assessment, a reconstruction of the glacial history of the Brenig site has been attempted. The similar mineralogy of the various glacial deposits and the availability of extensive geotechnical data on the complete suite of materials has made the, site ideal for this purpose. In presenting the results of the studies, the thesis has been divided into four sections. By way of background, in Part I the methodology and scope of the investigations conducted at Brenig are presented. In Part II a comparison is made between the characteristics of Recent glacial deposits and the Pleistocene materials at Brenig. The stratigraphy and glacial chronology of the site are developed in Part III, while in Part IV the geotechnical evaluation of the site is presented and set within the glaciological framework as a basis for the proposed classification.

Abstract This thesis deals with the Holocene development of palsa mires in continental Europe, especially permafrost dynamics and its consequences on vegetation succession and peat accumulation. Peat deposits of four permafrost mires in boreal and subarctic northeastern European Russia and in northern oroboreal Finland have been studied using plant macrofossil analysis, (AMS) radiocarbon dating, dry bulk density and carbon content measurements. In addition, preliminary results are available from another palsa mire in northeastern European Russia. Modern vegetation has been investigated to support the interpretation of fossil plant assemblages. Earlier literature on vegetation, stratigraphy and dating of permafrost mires in Europe has been reviewed. The vegetation of palsa mires in general is well known. As a rule, palsas are dry ombrotrophic habitats, surrounded by wet flarks of variable trophic levels. There is a lack of information about vegetation in different small-scale habitats within palsa mires, which would have been useful when studying the permafrost-vegetation relationship. Although no functional indicator species of permafrost have been found, permafrost dynamics in peat stratigraphy can often be detected with high degree of probability based on changes in vegetation. Some plant assemblages and vegetation successions are typical on permafrost, while many species rarely grow on or near to permafrost. Relatively sudden changes between dry and wet mire environments and continuously dynamic conditions are good signs of permafrost impact. Also gradual changes towards drier conditions may be caused by permafrost; in these cases the timing of first permafrost aggradation is more difficult to ascertain and can usually be pronounced only in terms of maximum and minimum ages. Changes in peat accumulation rates and even hiatuses in stratigraphy are additional tools to support the interpretation on permafrost history at the studied sites. Dry organic matter and carbon accumulation rates for different developmental stages are calculated for the five studied mires. From earlier studies this information is not available. Accumulation rates in the permafrost environment are very variable: from zero or negative rates in old palsas to as high as 100 gC/m2yr in incipient palsas. On moist plateau palsas, permafrost flarks and in unstable permafrost conditions, accumulation continues at low to moderate rates. Thermokarst processes result in decomposition of former peat deposits with important consequences for the ecosystem carbon balance, especially in plateau palsa mires. Radiocarbon datings are available from 27 permafrost mires in continental Europe; only 5 of these are situated in Russia. Many of the published dates cannot be considered reliable as dating permafrost aggradation. Based on limited material, permafrost started to develop at latest about 3000 BP in mires of northern Russia and 2500 BP in Fennoscandia. Older permafrost formation is suggested for a few sites, but the evidence is insufficient to confirm this interpretation. The oldest preserved palsas are ca. 2500–2000 14C years old. Most of the modern palsas are less than 600 14C years old. Permafrost aggradation follows the major climate development in the Holocene, with formation being most active during the coldest stages. Global warming is expected to greatly affect the Arctic in the near future, which would imply significant changes in ecosystem functioning and carbon balance of permafrost mires. This study contributes to the understanding of the possible impacts of climate change on these ecosystems using paleoecological techniques.

This thesis is concerned with layered reflections observed in the Antarctic and Greenland ice sheets during radio-echo sounding. It describes in detail layering seen with 60 and 300 MHz equipment _in the Antarctic ice sheet during three field seasons betwe~n 1974 and 1979, and discusses the effects of glaciological and equipment factors, particularly radio pulse length. The effects of changing pulse length and accumulation rate on layer echo separation are analysed, and the importance of closely spaced groups of reflectors assessed. Reflection coefficient vs depth profiles are presented for layering observed at nearly twenty sites in the Antarctic and Greenland, and are used to demonstrate the existence of two separate reflection mechanisms: changes in (a) ice density, and (b) loss tangent. Supporting density and conductivity data from ice cores are summarised. It is concluded that most layer echoes arise from layers of ice containing acidic impurities of volcanic origin~ Layer reflectivity variations_are observed over distances of tens of kilometres. Short-period fading is also observed, from which estimates of layer reflector roughness are made using the autocorrelation function and variance of the received power. The roughness estimates are shown to be consistent with a depositional origin for the surfaces. Relevant theory is summarised and a procedure developed for the remote estimation of elevated acidity levels in ice from radio-echo sounding. Such estimates are shown to compare well with direct ice core measurements. The method is used to present estimated elevated acidity profiles for the Antarctic (to ~100 kaBP) and Greenland (to ~30 kaBP), which are interpreted in terms of variations in the input of volcanogenic acid impurities to the ice sheets. The use of layering as isochronous horizons in ice flow studies is discussed in the light of new measurements, with particular emphasis on t he zone close to bedrock.