Heat and mass transfer in the active layer

Updated 2002-02-13

The active layer, the annually freezing and thawing upper ground in permafrost areas, is of pivotal importance. The moisture and heat transfer characteristics of this layer also determine the boundary layer interactions of the underlying permafrost and the atmosphere and are therefore important parameters input for geothermal or climate modeling. Finally, changes in the characteristics of the permafrost and permafrost related processes may be used as indicators of global ecological change provided the system permafrost-active layer-atmosphere is understood sufficiently well. The dynamics of permafrost soils is measured with high accuracy and high temporal resolution at our two sites close to Ny-Ålesund, Svalbard. Using these continuous data we quantify energy balance components and deduce heat transfer processes such as conductive heat flux, generation of heat from phase transitions, and migration of water vapor.

Time frame

Status
Ongoing
Project time span
1997 - 2050
Data collection
1997 -
Data processing
1997 -
Data reporting
1997 -

Contact information

Contact person
Julia Boike
Address
Alfred Wegener Institute Foundation for Polar and Marine Research 14473 Potsdam Germany
Phone
+49 331 288 2173
Fax
+49 331 288 2137
Email
ed.madstop-iwa@ekiobj
Other project contacts
Christian Wille, Günter Stoof Alfred Wegener Institute, Potsdam

Parameters and Media

Parameter groups measured/observed/modelled
Media sampled/studied/modelled
Permafrost

Geography

Regions studied
Svalbard
Svalbard

Data availability

Samples/specimens archived in specimen banks?
No

Methods & Procedures

Not specified

Additional Information

Is this a bi- AND multi-lateral project (i.e. a project involving cooperation between different countries)?
No
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