Fine-Scale Ground Surface Vertical Displacement and Soil Water Processes in the Canadian High Arctic
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Authors
Mcfadden, Sarah
Date
Type
thesis
Language
eng
Keyword
permafrost , Arctic , soil water , ground surface vertical displacement
Alternative Title
Abstract
The fine-scale physical response of soils to thaw, ice content and soil water conditions in the High Arctic are poorly understood. This thesis introduces the topic and identifies knowledge gaps in the literature and secondly, addresses these gaps through the investigation of the spatiotemporal relationship between ground surface vertical displacement (GSVD) and active layer water level conditions during the summer thaw season at the Cape Bounty Arctic Watershed Observatory, Nunavut. GSVD and water level were monitored simultaneously at five measurement stations consisting of a new inclinometer system (accuracy ±0.15 mm) and a shallow subsurface well logged with pressure transducers. Diel cyclicity in both GSVD (± 0.5 mm) and water level (± 0.2 m) was present at two of the stations and synoptic scale variability characterized the others. The records indicate a close association between GSVD and water level at multiple short-term time scales. Active layer soil physics appear to be controlled by soil water content on both synoptic and diel timescales. Ground ice thaw appeared to be the primary source of water within the diel systems, while synoptic variability was associated with rainfall events. The diel systems were inferred to be primarily driven by large-scale (>258 m2) upslope contributing areas which facilitated diel water level and GSVD fluctuations due to the amplification of thaw-derived water accumulation downslope. These results improve our knowledge of the physical response of High Arctic soils to changes in soil water conditions and active layer thaw, critical for future landscape stability monitoring and geohazard prediction.
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CC0 1.0 Universal
Queen's University's Thesis/Dissertation Non-Exclusive License for Deposit to QSpace and Library and Archives Canada
ProQuest PhD and Master's Theses International Dissemination Agreement
Intellectual Property Guidelines at Queen's University
Copying and Preserving Your Thesis
This publication is made available by the authority of the copyright owner solely for the purpose of private study and research and may not be copied or reproduced except as permitted by the copyright laws without written authority from the copyright owner.
Queen's University's Thesis/Dissertation Non-Exclusive License for Deposit to QSpace and Library and Archives Canada
ProQuest PhD and Master's Theses International Dissemination Agreement
Intellectual Property Guidelines at Queen's University
Copying and Preserving Your Thesis
This publication is made available by the authority of the copyright owner solely for the purpose of private study and research and may not be copied or reproduced except as permitted by the copyright laws without written authority from the copyright owner.