| Title | Infrastructure and climate change impacts on ground thermal regime, Iqaluit International Airport, Nunavut |
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| Author | LeBlanc, A -M ;
Oldenborger, G A; Sladen, W E; Allard, M |
| Source | Arctic Change 2014, poster abstracts; 2014 p. 102-103 |
| Links | Online - En ligne
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| Image |  |
| Year | 2014 |
| Alt Series | Earth Sciences Sector, Contribution Series 20140226 |
| Meeting | Arctic Change 2014; Ottawa; CA; December 8-12, 2014 |
| Document | book |
| Lang. | English |
| Media | paper; on-line; digital |
| File format | pdf |
| Province | Nunavut |
| NTS | 25N/09; 25N/16 |
| Area | Iqaluit International Airport |
| Lat/Long WENS | -69.0000 -68.0000 64.0000 63.6667 |
| Subjects | surficial geology/geomorphology; Nature and Environment; climate, arctic; climatic fluctuations; thermal regimes; permafrost; ground temperatures; Climate change; Quaternary |
| Program | Climate Change Geoscience Land-based Infrastructure |
| Released | 2014 01 01 |
| Abstract | It is now common knowledge that climate change may threat the integrity of northern infrastructures and should be considered in the design of infrastructures on permafrost. For transportation
infrastructure, the structure itself, snow accumulation and water ponding along embankments will also influence the ground thermal regime. In the context of climate change, it is useful for planned or newly built infrastructure to differentiate
between the effects of climate warming and anthropogenic factors on the permafrost thermal regime. In 2010, a joint study was initiated between the Canada-Nunavut Geoscience Office, Natural Resources Canada and Centre d'etudes nordiques of Universite
Laval to investigate permafrost sensitivity and terrain conditions within the Iqaluit International Airport area. The airport has a history of terrain stability problems and is now entering a major improvement phase. Ground surface temperature
sensors have been used to monitor the surface microclimate on embankment slopes, undisturbed ground, stream channels or ditches, and areas with different thicknesses of snow cover. Combined with historical data since the construction of the airport
and other geotechnical information, the ground surface temperatures were used to support numerical modeling. A two-dimensional cross-section between the runway and what is now the main apron of the new terminal building is used to show the separate
and combined impacts of climate change, snow accumulation, and the infrastructure itself on the ground thermal regime. Initially, the past and current ground temperature distributions are simulated using the cooling (1946-1992) and the warming
(1993-2014) trends in the air temperature record as well as the change in surface conditions that have occurred since 1946. Then different case scenarios over a 30 years period were simulated to assess the future ground temperature distribution: 1)
new embankment material to extend the current apron, 2) use of insulation within the embankment, and 3) climate warming trends of 0.5°C and 1.0°C per decade. Results of past and current ground temperatures are in agreement with observed ground
temperature changes. The impact on the ground thermal regime due to the new embankment material, without climate trends, depends on the ground temperature distribution and surface conditions prior to the embankment construction. The addition of
Styrofoam insulation results in permafrost warming by a few tenths of degree Celsius at depth while the ground temperatures closer to the surface decreases and the permafrost table moves upward just underneath the insulation. In general, warming
trends cause the permafrost to be warmer at depth while remaining colder close to the surface compared to the preconstruction condition. At a location where thick snow cover existed at the toe of the old apron embankment, the combined impact of new
embankment (with or without insulation) and climate warming leads to a permafrost temperature similar to the pre-construction conditions at 15 m depth. Over years, the simulations indicate an increase in active layer thickness after an initial move
upward within the new embankment. Resultscan be used by northern transportation infrastructure managers to better understand the causes behind the thermal changes of permafrost. |
| Summary | (Plain Language Summary, not published)
In the context of climate change, it is useful for planned or newly built infrastructure to differentiate between the effects of climate warming and
anthropogenic factors on the permafrost thermal regime. In 2010, a study was initiated on permafrost sensitivity and terrain conditions within the Iqaluit Airport area. The separate and combined impacts of climate change, snow accumulation, and the
infrastructure itself on the ground thermal regime is simulated using numerical modelling. The impact on the ground thermal regime due to new embankment material depends on the ground surface conditions prior to the embankment construction. Over the
next 30 years, an increase in permafrost temperature and active layer thickness is simulated after initial permafrost cooling near the surface and move upward of the active layer within the new embankment. Results can be used by northern
transportation infrastructure managers to better understand the causes behind the thermal changes of permafrost. |
| GEOSCAN ID | 295210 |
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