On the thermal influence of thermokarst lakes on the subsea permafrost evolution

Valentina V. Malakhova

doi:10.1117/12.2248714

29 November 2016 On the thermal influence of thermokarst lakes on the subsea permafrost evolution

Valentina V. Malakhova

Proceedings Volume 10035, 22nd International Symposium on Atmospheric and Ocean Optics: Atmospheric Physics; 100355U (2016) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2248714
Event: XXII International Symposium Atmospheric and Ocean Optics. Atmospheric Physics, 2016, Tomsk, Russian Federation

Abstract

A one-dimensional model for the heat transfer with a phase change is proposed to simulate the dynamics of the subsea permafrost on the Laptev Sea shelf. By now we investigate the evolution of the subsea permafrost since the last glacial maximum, taking into account a possible development of the thermokarst lakes. This paper also discusses the permafrost-related gas hydrate stability zone. The permafrost within most of the Laptev Sea shelf (≤ 50 m water depth) is estimated as 440 - 560 m given a heat flow of 60 mW/m², and 178 - 265 m given a heat flow of 100 mW/m² . The thermokarst lakes play an important role in the heat exchange between the atmosphere and sediments. The subsea permafrost evolution also depends on thermokarst lakes existence. Scenarios show that the permafrost thawing from top to bottom leads to the formation of the closed talik. The effect of a heat flux for fault zones results in higher sediment temperatures and in a more rapid destruction of the permafrost and hydrate zone. The proposed model predicts the development of open taliks at the shelf sites with water depths of 10 – 20 m in active tectonic faults.

Citation Download Citation

Valentina V. Malakhova "On the thermal influence of thermokarst lakes on the subsea permafrost evolution ", Proc. SPIE 10035, 22nd International Symposium on Atmospheric and Ocean Optics: Atmospheric Physics, 100355U (29 November 2016); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2248714

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available