Nature and distribution of frozen saline sediments on the Russian Arctic coast

Abstract

AbstractFrozen saline sediments are widely distributed along the Russian Arctic coast and in other regions. They have unique properties and are characterized by low bearing capacity. The origin of the salinity is related to seashore processes. The salts within porous solutions are partially taken out upon freezing, and redistributed. Salt moves, together with water, to the freezing front of clay deposits, and, by contrast, away from the freezing front in sand. Salinization is determined by both the conditions at formation, and subsequent processes at cryogenic temperatures. An increase in salinization with depth is observed. This is most likely caused by moving of salts from the upper permafrost layers as the result of the migration of pore water. Salinization in general increases with an increase in ice content. Changes in salinization cause changes of cryogenic structure. An important feature of the saline soils of the Russian Arctic coast is their heterogeneity. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.