Earth’s Cryosphere, 2020, vol. XXIV, No. 1, pp. 20-28
10.21782/EC2541-9994-2020-1(20-28)

SPECIFITY OF THE PRESENT-DAY SOIL TEMPERATURE REGIME IN A PEAT PLATEAU (SOUTHERN PART OF BOLSHEZEMELSKAYA TUNDRA) AT LOCATIONS CROSSED BY REGIONAL HIGHWAY

D.A. Kaverin, A.V. Pastukhov, A.B. Novakovsky

Institute of Biology, Komi Scientific Center UB RAS,
28, Kommunisticheskaya str., Syktyvkar, 167982, Russia; dkav@mail.ru

The study investigates characteristics of the present-day temperature re-gime of anthropogenically transformed and virgin permafrost-affected soils of the peat plateau at a location crossed by the Usinsk–Khar’yaga higway with its concrete surface partially destroyed. To assess the specifics of soil temperature regime, the research was conducted in 2015–2018 at the southern limit of permafrost in the Bolshezemelskaya tundra during periods of relatively high air temperatures. Soil temperatures of the peat plateau and a roadside hollow were measured in two 10-meter thermal boreholes. To study the temperature dynamics of the road embankment, a 5-meter high sandfill pad with stockpiled sand with fairly similar basic characteristics, was used as its model. Results of the study revealed that construction of a road embankment on the southern permafrost limit in the Russian European Northeast entails a significant temperature differentiation of anthropogenically transformed soils. Violations of building codes and further road operation under ongoing climate warming have led to a significant soil temperature increase and partial destruction of roadbed.

Key words: Soil temperature regime, road, peat plateau, climate change, permafrost


Please cite as:

Kaverin D.A., Pastukhov A.V., Novakovsky A.B. Specifity of the present-day soil temperature regime in a peat plateau (southern part of Bolshezemelskaya tundra) at locations crossed by regional highway. Earth’s Cryosphere, 2020, vol. XXIV, No. 1, pp. 20–28, DOI: 10.21782/EC2541-9994-2020-1(20-28)