The fine-scale controls of active layer dynamics remain poorly understood, particularly at the southern boundary of continuous permafrost. We examined how environmental conditions associated with upland tundra heath, open graminoid fen, and palsa/peat plateau landforms affected active layer thermal regime (timing, magnitude, and rate of thaw) in a subarctic peatland in the Hudson Bay Lowlands, Canada. A significant increase in active layer thaw depth was evident between 2012 and 2024. Within-season thaw patterns differed among landforms, with tundra heath exhibiting the highest thaw rates and soil temperatures, succeeded by fen and palsa. Air temperature mediated by soil properties, topography, and vegetation affected thaw patterns. The increased thermal conductivity of gravel/sandy tundra heath soils exerted a more pronounced influence on thaw patterns relative to fens and palsas, both of which had a thicker organic layer. Near-surface soil moisture was the lowest in tundra, followed by palsas, and fens. Increased soil moisture impeded active layer thaw, likely due to a combination of soil surface evaporation and meltwater percolation. These findings elucidate the relationship between the biophysical properties of landform features and climate, revealing their role in influencing active layer thaw patterns in a subarctic ecosystem.
This paper investigates the spatiotemporal dynamics and their changes of the southern limit of latitudinal permafrost (SLLP) and the lower limit of mountain permafrost (LLMP) in Northeast China, emphasizing the roles of climate change and human activities. Permafrost in this region is primarily distributed in the northern parts of the Da and Xiao Xing'anling mountain ranges and in the upper parts of the Changbai Mountains and at the summits of the Huanggangliang Mountains in the southern part of the Da Xing'anling Mountain Range. Permafrost degradation, ongoing since at least the local Holocene Megathermal Period (8.5-6.0 ka BP), has intermittently reversed during cooler climatic intervals but continues to exert significant impacts on regional environments, infrastructure stability, and carbon storage. Notably, the northward retreats of the SLLP since the mid-19th century underscore the sustained nature of this degradation, especially in southern patchy permafrost zones increasingly sensitive to warming and anthropogenic influences. LLMP variability is similarly shaped by a combination of climatic, hydrometeorological, ecological, and topographic factors. The distributions of SLLP and LLMP are further complicated by the presence of relict and sporadic permafrost, as well as the hydrothermal effects of vegetation and snow cover. Addressing the challenges of mapping and modeling boreal permafrost in Northeast China requires comprehensive field investigations, long-term in situ monitoring via station networks, and advanced numerical modeling. Emerging technologies, including satellite and airborne remote sensing (RS), geographic information systems (GIS), unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), surface geophysical methods, and big data analytics, offer new possibilities for enhancing permafrost monitoring and mapping. Integrating these tools with conventional field studies can significantly improve our understanding of permafrost dynamics. Continued efforts in monitoring, technological innovation, multidisciplinary collaboration, and international cooperation are essential to meet the challenges posed by permafrost degradation in a changing climate.
Reanalysis is a valuable potential data source for permafrost studies. The latest-generation reanalysis of the Japanese Reanalysis for three quarters of a century (JRA-3Q) benefits from improved snow and soil schemes and demonstrates encouraging performance for soil temperature in permafrost regions compared to its predecessor, JRA-55, and other state-of-the-art reanalyses. We find JRA-3Q to have an overall mean annual air temperature bias of-0.17 degrees C, with-0.55 degrees C in permafrost regions. The snow depth was underestimated by-5.5 cm. In permafrost regions, the mean annual ground temperature bias was about-0.09 degrees C. The estimated permafrost area from JRA-3Q is between 10.8 and 15.8 x 106 km2. The active layer thickness is substantially overestimated by about 0.65 m. The JRA-3Q soil temperature exhibits a pronounced warm bias in Alaska, which is very likely due to the overestimated snow insulation and simplified soil organic content. The decoupled energy conservation parameterization (DECP) method employed in the JRA-3Q soil scheme restricts its suitability for the interpretation of detailed permafrost phenomena, such as zero-curtain effects. This DECP method is used in many stateof-the-art land surface models; our results demonstrate the need for additional contributions to improve the representation of permafrost-specific processes.
Large uncertainties still exist in the estimation of black carbon (BC) radiative forcing due to incomplete representation of BC optical properties. To address this, this study employed the AI-based nonspherical aerosol optical scheme (AI-NAOS), coupled with the Community Atmosphere Model version 6 (CAM6), to comprehensively estimate the optical properties of the aging BC and its direct radiative effect (DRE). The AI-NAOS was obtained from a database of accurate optical properties of encapsulated fractal aggregates computed from the invariant imbedding T-matrix method (IITM). With this scheme, the aging progress of BC in the CAM6 can be explicitly resolved by the volume fraction and the optical properties can be efficiently inferred from the deep neural network (DNN) in real time. Based on decadal-long simulations from 2010 to 2020, the BC DRE of fractal aggregates was estimated to be +0.3 w/m2 globally and +1.3 w/m2 over East Asia, representing decreases of 40.0% and 38.1%, respectively, compared to spherical assumptions. Additionally, an idealized scenario was considered where BC quantities were increased tenfold. In this scenario, the aging process was minimized due to insufficient hygroscopic aerosols for encapsulating BC aerosols. Compared to the normal scenario, the incremental ratio of radiative effects based on the fractal aggregate model was 11.1 globally and 9.1 over East Asia, whereas it was 7.6 globally and 5.3 over East Asia based on spherical assumptions. These results indicate that, compared to spherical assumptions, stronger enhancement of BC DRE could be produced using more realistic models in scenarios with higher BC emission. Whether the radiative effect is reduced or enhanced using realistic particle models depend on the competing roles of particle nonsphericity and encapsulation (lensing effect) in influencing BC absorption capabilities.
Ambient seismic noise and microseismicity analyses are increasingly applied for the monitoring of landslides and natural hazards. These methodologies can offer a valuable monitoring tool also for glacial and periglacial bodies, to understand the internal processes driven by external modifications in air temperature and rainfall/snowfall regimes and to forecast possible melting-related hazards in the light of climate change adaptation. We applied the methods to an almost continuous year of data recorded by a network of four passive seismic stations deployed in the frontal portion of the Gran Sometta rock glacier (Aosta Valley, NW Italian Alps). The spectral analysis of ambient seismic noise revealed frequency peaks related to stratigraphic resonances inside the rock glacier. Although the resonance frequency related to the bedrock interface was constant over time, a second higher resonance frequency was identified as the effect of variations in the active layer thickness driven by external air temperature modifications at the daily and seasonal scales. Ambient seismic noise cross-correlation highlighted coherent shear wave velocity modifications inside the periglacial body. The microseismicity dataset extracted from the continuous ambient noise recordings was analyzed and clustered to further investigate the ongoing internal processes and gain insight into their source mechanism and location. The first cluster of events was found to be likely related to the basal movements of the rock glacier and to falls and slides of the debris material. The second cluster was possibly related to shallow ice and rock fracturing processes. The validation of the seismic results through simple models of the rock glacier physical and mechanical layering, the internal thermal regime and the surface displacements allowed for a comprehensive understanding of the rock glacier's reaction to the external conditions.
http://www.nieer.cas.cn/ 1月13日，第二次青藏高原综合科学考察研究任务九“地质环境与灾害”第五年度（2023-2024）进展和亮点成果交流研讨会召开，来自任务九所属的七个专题负责人及其团队共150余人参会。 第二次青藏高原综合科学考察研究总队长、中国科学院青藏高原研究所姚檀栋院士，中国科学院地理科学与资源研究所、任务九负责人崔鹏院士，长安大学彭建兵院士，国家科技基础条件平台中心李加洪研究员、北京师范大学史培军教授、中国地质大学（武汉）唐辉明教授、中国科学院西北生态环境资源研究院马巍研究员、中国地震局地质研究所冉勇康研究员、中国地震局震害防御中心田勤俭研究员、甘肃省科学院周自强研究员、青海省第二次青藏科考办公室杨广智高级工程师等11位技术专家莅临会议。国家科技基础条件平台中心王祎处长、中国科学院可持续发展局任小波处长、西北研究院重大任务处、科研管理处等相关部门负责人受邀出席会议。会议由崔鹏、彭建兵、唐辉明、史培军、马巍分阶段主持。 姚檀栋全面阐述了第二次青藏高原综合科学考察研究总体设计、十大进展及社会影响、任务结题要求等。王祎、任小波分别代表项目管理部门对任务九各专题项目取得的成果表示肯定，也对任务和专题结题验收提出了相关具体要求。中国科学院地质与地球物理研究所祁生文研究员代表任务九介绍了任务的整体完成情况及下一步结题验收指标。 西北研究院党委书记张长春应邀出席会议，并简要介绍了研究院历史沿革、全国重点实验室等科研平台、人才队伍建设、取得的科研成果，以及围绕抢占科技制高点开展科研攻关等情况。 任务九所属的七个专题负责人分别汇报了专题自开展以来取得的主要成果、任务完成情况，总结了专题亮点成果，以及在服务国家重大需求及支撑区域发展方面的重要贡献。与会专家对各专题在数据、图件、咨询报告、工程措施等成果产出、服务重大工程维护、防灾减灾和支撑区域发展等方面取得的重大进展和成果给予了充分肯定，并就认知灾害规律、支撑国家决策、服务重大工程等方面对项目组提出了建议。 最后，崔鹏组织了任务内部研讨，进一步明确了结题验收的相关要求，提出各个专题要梳理研究成果，凝练科考亮点，提升成果高度与加强落地应用，为最终完成专题、任务验收做好准备。
2025-01-15 中国科学院西北生态环境资源研究院
5月18日，国家科技基础资源调查专项“东北高纬度多年冻土本底及冻融灾害调查”项目2024年年会顺利召开。 会议邀请了中国工程院院士、中国科学院西北生态环境资源研究院院长冯起，哈尔滨师范大学副校长李林教授代表主持和承办单位参会。来自中国科学院、北京师范大学、重庆交通大学、兰州大学、云南大学、哈尔滨工业大学、东北林业大学、哈尔滨师范大学、南京信息工程大学、黑龙江省水利科学研究院等单位的近60位科研人员参会。 会上，李林对本次会议在哈尔滨师范大学召开表示热烈欢迎，并介绍了该校概况。冯起介绍了西北研究院概况，强调了东北多年冻土调查研究的重要性，表示西北研究院将继续对该项目给予大力支持，希望项目依托野外监测平台和监测场地，收集掌握我国东北及泛北极地区冻土资料，产出更多更高水平的成果，为中蒙俄经济走廊建设、东北全面振兴提供重要科技支撑。 项目负责人西北研究院李国玉研究员汇报了项目2024年总体进展情况，并对下一步工作计划进行了部署。臧淑英教授、胡国杰研究员、金会军教授、赵林教授和李国玉分别代表课题组进行了课题进展汇报。 专家组成员中国科学院院士、重庆交通大学校长赖远明，北京师范大学宋长青教授，中国科学院半导体研究所党委书记冯仁国研究员，兰州大学潘保田教授，西北研究院马巍、吴青柏研究员，云南大学刘时银教授，中国科学院地理科学与资源研究所王卷乐研究员，哈尔滨工业大学凌贤长、唐亮教授，东北林业大学单炜教授，黑龙江省水利科学研究院丁琳教授等对项目及各课题实施进展进行了评议。专家组认为，项目完成了年度计划任务，全部、部分超额完成了考核指标，取得了重要成果，并对下一步工作提出指导性意见。 在冻土环境与寒区工程研讨交流中，宋长青、潘保田、马巍、刘时银、冯仁国分别作了题为“地理学本性与创新路径”“黄河形成演化与地质灾害”“北京-莫斯科高铁设计建设中的冻土工程地质问题”“近期藏东南地区雪崩灾害加剧、特征及其原因分析”“弘扬科学文化，崇尚品质科研”特邀报告。 据悉，该项目由西北研究院主持，哈尔滨师范大学、东北林业大学和南京信息工程大学等4家单位参加。项目选取大兴安岭东坡塔河地区（卡马兰河流域）和西坡额尔古纳地区（根河流域）作为典型调查区，通过收集、整编、调查和观测东北高纬度多年冻土特征、冻土工程冻害及环境要素等基础数据，依据东北多年冻土和区域地质地貌、气候、植被等的空间分布特征，开展多年冻土分布界限、埋深、厚度、地下冰分布和含量，以及区内现有线状重大工程沿线的冻害分布调查，从而构建多年冻土综合观测网络，开展多年冻土地温、活动层水热和气象要素定位观测。并利用收集、整编的历史基础数据和遥感、再分析数据，应用人工智能技术编制东北多年冻土主要特征参数的空间分布图和工程冻害与稳定性分布图，构建东北多年冻土、工程冻害及环境要素等基础数据库，评估东北多年冻土和工程冻害现状及发展规律，预测气候变化下多年冻土和工程稳定性发展趋势。 会议合影
2025-05-22 中国科学院西北生态环境资源研究院Global warming due to climate change has substantial impact on high-altitude permafrost affected soils. This raises a serious concern that the microbial degradation of sequestered carbon can result in alteration of the biogeochemical cycles. Therefore, the characterization of permafrost affected soil microbiomes, especially of unexplored high-altitude, low oxygen arid region, is important for predicting their response to climate change. This study presents the first report of the bacterial diversity of permafrost-affected soils in the Changthang region of Ladakh. The relationship between soil pH, organic carbon, electrical conductivity, and available micronutrients with the microbial diversity was investigated. Amplicon sequencing of permafrost affected soil samples from Jukti and Tsokar showed that Proteobacteria and Actinobacteria were the dominant phyla in all samples. The genera Brevitalea, Chthoniobacter, Sphingomonas, Hydrogenispora, Clostridium, Gaiella, Gemmatimonas were relatively abundant in the Jukti samples whereas the genera Thiocapsa, Actinotalea, Syntrophotalea, Antracticibcterium, Luteolibacter, Nitrospirillum dominated the Tsokar sample. Correlation analyses highlighted the influence of soil geochemical parameters on the bacterial community structure. PCoA analyses showed that the bacterial beta diversity varied significantly between the sampling locations (PERMANOVA test (F-value: 2.3316; R2 = 0.466, p = 0.001) and similar results were also obtained while comparing genus abundance data using the ANOSIM test (R = 0.345, p = 0.007).
The paper presents the strategic project of Tomsk State University devoted to studying the carbon cycle in the arctic land-shelf system. The obtained carbon cycle characteristics should be used for global climate model correction. The main objective of the consortium is to obtain new data on the variability of climatic and biological factors of various ecosystems, monitor them, and create archives of data on their dynamics. The area of the project includes the basins of the Great Siberian Rivers, and the shelf of the adjacent Arctic seas. A consortium of approximately twenty universities and research institutions was formed to study the carbon cycle in various environments, including seas, rivers, wetlands, and permafrost. In addition to studying the carbon cycle, the project also aims to develop methods for carbon sequestration and ecosystems remediation. One of such methods was developed for the assessment and cleanup of bottom sediments from oil and petroleum products as well as other hydrophobic contaminants and has been patented and tested in a series of field trials. Several special monitoring methods are described, such as novel sampling and sample laboratory processing techniques to assess microplastics in the environment; and holographic methods for underwater monitoring of the plankton behavior for early bioindication of hazards in the water area. This is particularly relevant for areas with dangerous objects, such as nuclear power plants, oil platforms, and gas pipelines. The methods of math modeling of the impact of climate change and anthropogenic factors on indigenous and local population lives were used.
Influenced by a warm and humid climate, the permafrost on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau is undergoing significant degradation, leading to the occurrence of extensive thermokarst landforms. Among the most typical landforms in permafrost areas is thaw slump. This study, based on three periods of data from keyhole images of 1968-1970, the fractional images of 2006-2009 and the Gaofen (GF) images of 2018-2019, combined with field surveys for validation, investigates the distribution characteristics and spatiotemporal variation trends of thaw slumps in the Hoh Xil area and evaluates the susceptibility to thaw slumping in this area. The results from 1968 to 2019 indicate a threefold increase in the number and a twofold increase in total area of thaw slumps. Approximately 70% of the thaw slumps had areas less than 2 x 104 m2. When divided into a grid of 3 km x 3 km, about 1.3% (128 grids) of the Hoh Xil region experienced thaw slumping from 1968 to 1970, while 4.4% (420 grids) showed such occurrences from 2018 to 2019. According to the simulation results obtained using the informativeness method, the area classified as very highly susceptible to thaw slumping covers approximately 26% of the Hoh Xil area, while the highly susceptible area covers about 36%. In the Hoh Xil, 61% of the thaw slump areas had an annual warming rate ranging from 0.18 to 0.25 degrees C/10a, with 70% of the thaw slump areas experiencing a precipitation increase rate exceeding 12 mm/10a. Future assessments of thaw slump development suggest a possible minimum of 41 and a maximum of 405 thaw slumps occurrences annually in the Hoh Xil region. Under rapidly changing climatic conditions, apart from environmental risks, there also exist substantial potential risks associated with thaw slumping, such as the triggering of large-scale landslides and debris flows. Therefore, it is imperative to conduct simulated assessments of thaw slumping throughout the entire plateau to address regional risks in the future.