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Suprapermafrost groundwater seepage in gravelly terrain, resolute, NWT, Canada

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  • Ming‐Ko Woo
  • Zhaojun Xia

Abstract

Gravel terrain in the polar desert region of Arctic Canada supports many features such as saturated zones, wetlands, ponds and streams, all of which are associated with local seepage of suprapermafrost groundwater. Gravels have high specific yield and large hydraulic conductivity to facilitate water flow, but a shallow frost table prevents deep percolation so that, given adequate water supply from snowmelt or rainfall, seepage will occur where the topographic surface intersects the water table. Such seepage can be seen on concave slopes to produce local saturated zones. Where seepage is focused, wetlands, ponds and small streams are maintained. Water balance computation for a wetland and a pond shows that seepage from their upslope gravel zones is a major water source. Continual seepage alters the soil, vegetation and moisture characteristics of the site, and the resulting thermal and hydrological feedbacks perpetuate the various features discussed. Le terrain graveleux des régions de désert polaire de l'Arctique canadien montrent des zones saturées, des terres humides, des mares et des ruisseaux qui sont associés avec des suintements d'eau venue de la partie supérieure du pergélisol. Les graviers ont une teneur en eau élevée et une grande conductivité hydraulique qui facilite l'écoulement de l'eau; comme la table gelée est à faible profondeur, elle empěche toute percolation profonde et des suintements se produisent où la surface topographique recoupe la nappe aquifère. Lorsque de tels écoulements sont localisés sur des pentes concaves, ils forment des zones localement saturées. Quand les suintements sont concentrés, des terres humides, des mares et de petits cours d'eau deviennent permanents. Les calculs de balance de l'eau réalisés pour une zone humide et une mare montrent que l'écoulement venu de la zone de graviers située en contre‐haut sur le versant est la première source d'eau. Les suintements d'eau continus altèrent le sol, la végétation et les caractéristiques d'humidité des sites affectés. Les conséquences thermiques et hydrologiques qu'induisent ces suintements entraǐnent la conservation de divers phénomènes discutés.

Suggested Citation

  • Ming‐Ko Woo & Zhaojun Xia, 1995. "Suprapermafrost groundwater seepage in gravelly terrain, resolute, NWT, Canada," Permafrost and Periglacial Processes, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 6(1), pages 57-72, January.
  • Handle: RePEc:wly:perpro:v:6:y:1995:i:1:p:57-72
    DOI: 10.1002/ppp.3430060107
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    Cited by:

    1. Michel Paquette & Daniel Fortier & Melissa Lafrenière & Warwick F. Vincent, 2020. "Periglacial slopewash dominated by solute transfers and subsurface erosion on a High Arctic slope," Permafrost and Periglacial Processes, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 31(4), pages 472-486, October.

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