Permafrost Dynamics and Degradation in Polar Arctic From Satellite Radar Observations, Yamal Peninsula

Kanayim Teshebaeva,Ko J Van Huissteden,Helmut Echtler,Anton I Sinitsky,Dmitry N Balykin,Han A J Dolman,Alexander V Puzanov,Nelley M Kovalevskaya

doi:10.3389/feart.2021.741556

Abstract

We investigate permafrost surface features revealed from satellite radar data in the Siberian arctic at the Yamal peninsula. Surface dynamics analysis based on SRTM and TanDEM-X DEMs shows up to 2 m net loss of surface relief between 2000 and 2014 indicating a highly dynamic landscape. Surface features for the past 14 years reflect an increase in small stream channels and a number of new lakes that developed, likely caused by permafrost thaw. We used Sentinel-1 SAR imagery to measure permafrost surface changes. Owing to limited observation data we analyzed only 2 years. The InSAR time-series has detected surface displacements in three distinct spatial locations during 2017 and 2018. At these three locations, 60–120 mm/yr rates of seasonal surface permafrost changes are observed. Spatial location of seasonal ground displacements aligns well with lithology. One of them is located on marine sediments and is linked to anthropogenic impact on permafrost stability. Two other areas are located within alluvial sediments and are at the top of topographic elevated zones. We discuss the influence of the geologic environment and the potential effect of local upwelling of gas. These combined analyses of InSAR time-series with analysis of geomorphic features from DEMs present an important tool for continuous process monitoring of surface dynamics as part of a global warming risk assessment.

Highlights

Rapid thaw of permafrost, by climate warming, has huge impacts on natural environments, human activities, and global climate in the Arctic
We identified spatially clustered areas of high values of surface dynamics, and their spatial evolution during the monitoring shows net subsidence in the three distinguished zones
We verified whether the observed slow subsidence in Yamal peninsula can be explained by specific geomorphic/geologic settings and/or result of anthropogenic impact

Summary

Introduction

By climate warming, has huge impacts on natural environments, human activities, and global climate in the Arctic. Despite recent intensifying research in Arctic environments, these hold still strong surprises for us, shown by the recent discoveries of CH4 emitting outburst craters in the permafrost. The feedbacks of permafrost degradation on climate, such as the Arctic carbon feedback, and in land surface changes still require better quantification (Schuur et al, 2015). This scientific challenge calls for innovative methods to measure permafrost change over large areas. Some of recent studies used Synthetic Aperture Radar Interferometry (InSAR) to quantify permafrost surface changes (Liu et al, 2010, Liu et al, 2015 X.; Chen et al, 2013; Short et al, 2014; Bartsch et al, 2019)

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