Abstract
Underground storage facilities dug in permafrost, or ice cellars, are a natural means of preserving food in conditions of transport isolation and total energy dependence on imported fuel. In the context of rapidly changing natural conditions, such storage facilities become unstable due to warming and degradation of permafrost. Monitoring and modeling the thermal regime of permafrost soils around ice cellars will help assess the impact of predicted climatic changes and the effectiveness of engineering solutions to sustain these facilities. In this paper, we made an attempt to simulate and predict the thermal regime of permafrost around an ice cellar, located in the community of Lorino, NE Russia. We found out that by 2050 the depth of seasonal thawing of the soil above the storage facility will increase from 1.12–1.74 m to 1.19–2.53 m, while the mean annual ground temperature will increase by only 0.5 °C, regardless of the climatic scenario. Results of the predictive simulation demonstrate significant but not critical changes of the thermal state of permafrost around the ice cellar. In fact, incorrect maintenance of the facility may have higher impact to its stability than climate changes. Some recommendations on preventive measures on increasing the ice cellar stability were provided.
Highlights
The indigenous peoples used to accustom its facilities to local climate conditions for thousands of years
The purpose of this study is to evaluate the predicted impact of climate changes on thermal regime and stability of the communal ice cellar located in the isolated settlement of Lorino, Chukotka Autonomous Okrug, Russia
The predictive thermal numerical simulation from 2014 to 2050 for the ice cellar model in Frost 3D was completed in 13 min
Summary
The indigenous peoples used to accustom its facilities to local climate conditions for thousands of years. Such vernacular buildings might serve as more effective for housing [1,2], fermenting [3] or multiple [4] purposes due to implementation of climate responsive design strategies. Indigenous peoples of the Arctic have actively exploited resources of the cryosphere for many purposes, including economic and residential ones. People were developing techniques and methods of the permafrost utilization in various parts of the world [6]. Within the territory of the modern Russia, the peoples of the Far East and Siberia used permafrost for their needs most extensively, as well as residents of Alaska and the Canadian Arctic Archipelago. The underground ice cellars, called ledniki, or Sigluaq in Iñupiat and Siqlugaq in Yupik, became widespread [7]
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