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Active layer thickening and controls on interannual variability in the Nordic Arctic compared to the circum‐Arctic

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Listed:
  • Sarah M. Strand
  • Hanne H. Christiansen
  • Margareta Johansson
  • Jonas Åkerman
  • Ole Humlum

Abstract

Active layer probing in northern Sweden, northeast Greenland, and central Svalbard indicates active layer thickening has occurred at Circumpolar Active Layer Monitoring (CALM) sites with long‐term, continuous observations, since the sites were established at these locations in 1978, 1996, and 2000, respectively. The study areas exhibit a reverse latitudinal gradient in average active layer thickness (ALT), which is explained by site geomorphology and climate. Specifically, Svalbard has a more maritime climate and thus the thickest active layer of the study areas (average ALT = 99 cm, 2000–2018). The active layer is thinnest at the northern Sweden sites because it is primarily confined to superficial peat. Interannual variability in ALT is not synchronous across this Nordic Arctic region, but study sites in the same area respond similarly to local meteorology. ALT correlates positively with thawing degree days in Sweden and Greenland, as has been observed in other Arctic regions. However, ALT in Svalbard correlates with freezing degree days, where the maritime Arctic climate results in relatively high and variable winter air temperatures. The difference in annual ALT at adjacent sites is attributed to differences in snow cover and geomorphology. From 2000 to 2018, the average rate of active layer thickening at the Nordic Arctic CALM probing sites was 0.5 cm/yr. The average rate was 1 cm/yr for Nordic Arctic CALM database sites with significant trends, which includes a borehole in addition to probing sites. This range is in line with the circum‐Arctic average of 0.8 cm/yr from 2000 to 2018.

Suggested Citation

  • Sarah M. Strand & Hanne H. Christiansen & Margareta Johansson & Jonas Åkerman & Ole Humlum, 2021. "Active layer thickening and controls on interannual variability in the Nordic Arctic compared to the circum‐Arctic," Permafrost and Periglacial Processes, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 32(1), pages 47-58, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:wly:perpro:v:32:y:2021:i:1:p:47-58
    DOI: 10.1002/ppp.2088
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Yuri Shur & Kenneth M. Hinkel & Frederick E. Nelson, 2005. "The transient layer: implications for geocryology and climate‐change science," Permafrost and Periglacial Processes, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 16(1), pages 5-17, January.
    2. H. H. Christiansen & B. Etzelmüller & K. Isaksen & H. Juliussen & H. Farbrot & O. Humlum & M. Johansson & T. Ingeman‐Nielsen & L. Kristensen & J. Hjort & P. Holmlund & A. B. K. Sannel & C. Sigsgaard &, 2010. "The thermal state of permafrost in the nordic area during the international polar year 2007–2009," Permafrost and Periglacial Processes, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 21(2), pages 156-181, April.
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    4. H. Jonas Åkerman & Margareta Johansson, 2008. "Thawing permafrost and thicker active layers in sub‐arctic Sweden," Permafrost and Periglacial Processes, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 19(3), pages 279-292, July.
    5. Bernd Etzelmüller & Herman Farbrot & Águst Guðmundsson & Ole Humlum & Ole Einar Tveito & Helgi Björnsson, 2007. "The regional distribution of mountain permafrost in Iceland," Permafrost and Periglacial Processes, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 18(2), pages 185-199, April.
    6. Hanne H. Christiansen, 2004. "Meteorological control on interannual spatial and temporal variations in snow cover and ground thawing in two northeast Greenlandic Circumpolar‐Active‐Layer‐Monitoring (CALM) sites," Permafrost and Periglacial Processes, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 15(2), pages 155-169, April.
    7. C. R. Burn, 1998. "The active layer: two contrasting definitions," Permafrost and Periglacial Processes, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 9(4), pages 411-416, October.
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    1. Pavel Konstantinov & Nikolai Basharin & Alexander Fedorov & Yoshihiro Iijima & Varvara Andreeva & Valerii Semenov & Nikolai Vasiliev, 2022. "Impact of Climate Change on the Ground Thermal Regime in the Lower Lena Region, Arctic Central Siberia," Land, MDPI, vol. 12(1), pages 1-13, December.

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