
NGEE Arctic
Next-Generation Ecosystem Experiments
Advancing the predictive power of Earth system models through understanding
of the structure and function of Arctic terrestrial ecosystems
A Model of Ice Wedge Polygon Drainage in Changing Arctic Terrain
Title | A Model of Ice Wedge Polygon Drainage in Changing Arctic Terrain |
Publication Type | Journal Article |
Year of Publication | 2020 |
Authors | Zlotnik, Vitaly A., Dylan R. Harp, Elchin E. Jafarov, and Charles J. Abolt |
Journal | Water |
Volume | 12 |
Issue | 12 |
Pagination | 3376 |
Date Published | Jan-12-2020 |
Abstract | As ice wedge degradation and the inundation of polygonal troughs become increasingly common processes across the Arctic, lateral export of water from polygonal soils may represent an important mechanism for the mobilization of dissolved organic carbon and other solutes. However, drainage from ice wedge polygons is poorly understood. We constructed a model which uses cross-sectional flow nets to define flow paths of meltwater through the active layer of an inundated low-centered polygon towards the trough. The model includes the effects of evaporation and simulates the depletion of ponded water in the polygon center during the thaw season. In most simulations, we discovered a strong hydrodynamic edge effect: only a small fraction of the polygon volume near the rim area is flushed by the drainage at relatively high velocities, suggesting that nearly all advective transport of solutes, heat, and soil particles is confined to this zone. Estimates of characteristic drainage times from the polygon center are consistent with published field observations. |
DOI | 10.3390/w12123376 |