Suntar-Khayata Research Articles

Brief communication: Alternation of thaw zones and deep permafrost in the cold climate conditions of the East Siberian Mountains, Suntar-Khayata Range

Abstract. The Suntar-Khayata Range includes numerous natural phenomena interacting with or depending on permafrost conditions. Here, we examine some patterns of deep permafrost and talik zones on adjacent sites. A 210 m deep borehole in siltstone bedrock was equipped for the temperature monitoring of the topmost 15 m and measurements of a deep permafrost temperature profile in July 2010. The temperature curvature in the upper part has a bend, which is consistent with the upper portion justified by climate warming, and shows a steady-state linear geothermal profile below 85 m depth with a high geothermal heat flux. A shallow borehole situated at the river floodplain was used to investigate the thaw zone's temperature regime. The temperatures down to 6.7 m deep have been monitored at 5 min intervals during heavy rainfall, and the temperature readings have behaved quite peculiarly. The thickness of the seasonal freezing layer reaches 5.7 m; moreover the ground temperature increases to 6 ∘C at 6.7 m depth by groundwater heat transfer. This study provides some new insights into the permafrost condition at one of the coldest places in the Northern Hemisphere.

Дополнение к флоре печеночников хребта Сунтар-Хаята (Восточная Якутия, Россия)

According to the results of three field seasons (2015–2017), 7 new species and 1 variety were discovered for the liverworts flora on the Suntar-Khayata Range in the Vostochnaya Khandyga River Basin (Chiloscyphus polyanthos, Clevea hyalina, Eocalypogeia schusteriana, Frullania parvistipula, Lophoziopsis excisa var. elegans, Mannia pilosa, Pellia endiviifolia, Scapania glaucocephala). They are very rare in the mountains of the North-East of Yakutia. Frullania parvistipula is first reported for the Verkhoyansk-Chukotka mountainous country. The localities of Frullania parvistipula, Scapania glaucocephala are the northernmost in Russia. Eocalypogeia schusteriana is included in the Red Book of the Russian Federation, Scapania glaucocephala is listed in the Red Book of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia). The annotations to each species provide information on habitats, substrates, associated species, growth pattern and indicate the presence of structures associated with reproduction. The peculiarities of distribution are discussed. Data on morphology are presented for Clevea hyalina, Lophoziopsis excisa var. elegans and Scapania glaucocephala. Most of the identified species usually grow on basic or calcareous substrates. Such substrates on the Suntar-Khayata Range have been limited. Chiloscyphus polyanthus and Scapania glaucocephala grew on rotting wood in poplar forest, which are also very rare in the study area. A morphological comparison of Scapania glaucocephala with the most ecologically and morphologically similar S. apiculata and S. carinthiaca is provided based on the Yakutian specimens. Distribution maps of Eocalypogeia schusteriana, Lophoziopsis excisa var. elegans, Scapania glaucocephala in Russia are presented.

Ultraviolet germicidal irradiation of melted snow and ice samples: inactivation of microorganisms and effects on insoluble microparticles

AbstractThe long-term refrigerated storage of melted snow and/or ice samples for analyses of insoluble microparticles (hereafter, microparticles) may be limited by increases in the biological particle concentration caused by microbial growth after ~1–2 weeks. In this study, we examined an ultraviolet (UV) disinfection method for the storage of melted snow and/or ice samples and determined the effects of this method on microparticles. Surface snow obtained from Glacier No. 31 in the Suntar-Khayata Range, eastern Siberia, Russia was divided into two portions for UV treatment and untreated controls. Microparticle concentrations and size distributions (in the range of 0.52–12.0 μm) in the samples were measured using a Coulter counter. Whereas the microparticle concentration in untreated samples increased, no obvious increase was observed over 53 d in the samples subjected to UV treatment. Microbial growth was detected in only untreated samples using a viable particle counter. In addition, the original microparticle concentrations and size distributions were unaffected by UV treatment. Our results demonstrated that the microparticle size distribution in untreated melted water samples reflects the growth, decomposition and succession of microorganisms over time and further indicate that UV irradiation is effective for long-term storage for microparticle analysis.

Modeling runoff formation processes in the high-mountain permafrost zone of Eastern Siberia (A case study of Suntar-Khayata Range).

Modeling runoff formation processes in the high-mountain permafrost zone of Eastern Siberia (A case study of Suntar-Khayata Range).

Surface mass balance on Glacier No. 31 in the Suntar–Khayata Range, eastern Siberia, from 1951 to 2014

This study presents a 64-year (1951–2014) reconstruction of the surface mass balance of Glacier No. 31, located in the Suntar-Khayata Range of the eastern Siberia, where the ablation zone is characterized by the extensive dark ice surface. We use a temperature index-based glacier mass-balance model, which computes all major components of glacier mass budget and is forced by daily air temperature and precipitation from a nearby meteorological station. The glacier shows a mean annual mass balance of–0.35 m w.e.a–1 during the past 64 years, with an acceleration of–0.50 m w.e. a–1 during the recent years. A cumulative mass loss of the glacier is ~22.3 m w.e. over the study period, about 56% of which is observed during 1991–2014. In addition to the contribution of temperature rise and precipitation decrease to recent mass loss of the glacier, an experimental analysis, in which the clean and dark ice surfaces are respectively assumed to cover the entire ablation zone, indicates that dark ice surface, caused by insoluble impurities consisting of mineral dusts, cryoconite granules, and ice algae, plays a crucial role in the changing mass balance through enhancing melt rates in the ablation zone of the glacier.

Spatial Characteristics of Rainfall at Sparsely Distributed Station Network over the High-Latitude Mountainous Regions in Eastern Siberia

To describe the spatial characteristics of rainfall at sparsely distributed measurement network over the high-latitude mountainous regions in eastern Siberia through ground-based observation, rainfall observations were performed using non-recording standard rain gauges. Such standard rain gauges have been used over the years to measure annual rainfall at six sites from the Suntar Khayata Range to Oymyakon and 12 sites along the Kolyma Highway from Magadan to Agayakan. Relational expressions of rainfall were obtained and observation data from these gauges clearly showed that the corrected rainfall in these areas depends on altitude, that the rainfall increased slightly with an increase in altitude, and that the increased ratio of rainfall due to altitude decreased with an increase in the distance from the nearby coast.

Radiocarbon ages of insects and plants frozen in the No. 31 Glacier, Suntar-Khayata Range, eastern Siberia

The aim of this study was to estimate the age of glacier ice in the No. 31 Glacier in the Suntar-Khayata Range of eastern Siberia by performing dating of insects thought to be long-legged fly species (Dolichopodidae) as well as plants (species unknown) fragments preserved in the ice. Ice samples containing organisms were collected at depths of 0.4–1.1m at five points from the middle to lowest parts of the glacier in 2013. The age of an insect collected at the lowest point on the glacier was estimated as 2038±32yr B.P. Insects collected at higher points had a modern or near-modern radiocarbon age. The age of plant fragments collected at the uppermost and middle points was 1531±44 and 1288±26yr B.P., respectively, and that of a mixture of plant and insect fragments collected at the lowest point was 9772±42yr B.P. When comparing specimens collected at the same point, the plant fragments were found to be older than the insects. In 2012–2014 observations, some living insects were found on the glacier, and thus the age of the insects appears to correspond to the age of the ice. On the other hand, the plant fragments might have already aged since detachment from the source plants. This study found an approximately 2000-year gap in the age of the ice between the lowest and higher points. Annual mass balance observations from 2012 to 2014 showed that in recent years, the glacier sometimes had no accumulation area. Therefore, the wide gap in the age of ice may be due to a difference in past melting processes between the lowest and higher points on the glacier.

Recession of glaciers in the Suntar-Khayata Mountains and methodological consideration of its assessment

This study of glacial-cryogenic complexes of Suntar-Khayata Range is a logical continuation of the research started by M.M. Koreysha in 1957–1959. The studied key site is situated in the upstream of the Burgaly River on the northern slope of Mus-Khaya Mountain (2959 m a.s.l.). It includes glaciers № 29–31 and their ice-cored moraines of different ages. Our study is based on field geomorphologic mapping carried out in 2012, as well as on geospatial analysis of multi-temporal high resolution (1–0.6 m) aerial and satellite imagery. The modern terminus elevation of 16 investigated glaciers varies from 2090 to 2350 m a.s.l. It was found that glaciers’ terminal positions have risen on average from 2052±102 to 2226±114 m a.s.l. after 1945 aerial photography. The termini of Glacier № 29 and Glacier № 31 have retreated approximately by 500–650 m, while the ELA has risen by 61±38 m, from 2346±56 to 2407±55 m a.s.l. The total glaciated area has reduced in size by approximately 36%. The surface of Glacier № 31 has lowered by 50–70 m in its terminal part due to ablation. The estimated glacier shrinkage is valid only for the exposed ice area, since the large amount of glacier ice is buried in ablation moraines, glacier-derived rock glaciers and other glacial-cryogenic landforms. Some ice-cored rock glaciers are 30 to 80 m in thickness. A surface ice flow velocity has decreased 5–6 times compared to the 1957–1959 values. A 45-m-deep geothermal borehole drilled in the middle of Glacier № 31 in 1958–1959 has completely melted away and its mouth shifted 150 m down the glacier surface. The drilling equipment of 1958 is now on the top of a steep 70-m-high rock wall which was entirely covered with ice before 1958. This obviously reflects the magnitude of glacier shrinkage.

Surface mass balance in the Suntar Khayata Range of North-Eastern Siberia

Glacier mass balance forms a vital link between climate change and glacier dynamics and hydrology, and its variation is the best way to infer climate change from glaciers. The Suntar Khayata Range are located in the north-eastern Siberia, which contains 176 glaciers covering an area of 152 km. In spite of the recent observed glacier changes in the Suntar Khayata and the reported climatic trends, no study has attempted to reconstruct variation in the surface mass balances in the region. Therefore, we reconstruct the surface mass balance of the No. 31 Glacier over 1950-2012, on which meteorological and glacioobservations exist during different periods. According to our calculations, the glacier shows a mean annual balance of -0.48 m water equivalent per year over the period 1950-2012, with a large interannual variability. In particular, glacier mass loss has been accelerated since the 1990s. Besides rising temperature, decreased precipitation is probably driving such significant mass loss. In addition, the glacier is characterized by the surface impurities, which comprise mineral particles, cryoconite granules and ice algal cells filled with dark-reddish pigments. To comprehensive assess the influence of the surface impurities on the glacier mass change, we recalculate the surface mass balance with an assumption of no impurity on the glacier. The result indicates that the presence of the surface impurities strongly enhances the glacier mass loss compared with the no-impurity assumption case.

A review of the species of the genus Curimopsis Ganglbauer, 1902 (Coleoptera, Byrrhidae) in North Asia

A review of species of the pill-beetle genus Curimopsis Ganglb. in the fauna of North Asia is presented. New localities for Curimopsis (s. str.) cyclolepidia (Munster, 1902)—the Gydanskii Peninsula, Tazovskii Vill.; C. (s. str.) moosilauke Johnson, 1986—Kamchatka, Esso Vill., and C. (s. str.) monticola Franz, 1967—Irkutsk (Russia) and Baruunturuun somon (Mongolia) are recorded. Two new species, C. (s. str.) nordensis Tshernyshev, sp. n. (Taimyr Peninsula) and C. (s. str.) olgae Tshernyshev, sp. n. (the Suntar-Khayata Range, Yakutia) are described. The first species is similar to C. (s. str.) cyclolepidia (Munst.) and differs in the not prominent humeri and in a curved apical lobe of the aedeagus; the second species is closely related to C. (s. str.) moosilauke Johns. but differs in almost completely reduced humeri with an expanded basal elytral angle and in the trapezoid lamella of the aedeagus. Curimopsis mongoliensis Paulus described from Kuku-Nor (the Tibet) is supposed to belong to the Chinese alpine fauna and is deleted from the list of the North and Central Asian fauna. Diagnosis, illustrations of the male genitalia, and a distribution map are given for all the species.

東シベリア・スンタルハヤタ地域氷河調査（2013年）

東シベリア・スンタルハヤタ地域氷河調査（2013年）

東シベリア・スンタルハヤタ地域氷河調査（2012年）

東シベリア・スンタルハヤタ地域氷河調査（2012年）

Response of glaciers in the Suntar–Khayata range, eastern Siberia, to climate change

AbstarctFollowing an International Geophysical Year project, we conducted meteorological observations during 2004–07 around the Suntar–Khayata range in eastern Siberia, where a strong temperature inversion exists throughout the winter. The temperature on the flat plain around Oymyakon (~700ma.s.l.) was ~20°C lower than that in a glaciated area located at ~2000ma.s.l. The inversion remained stable from October to April due to the Siberian high. Snowfall was limited to the beginning and end of winter. The stable conditions prevented atmospheric disturbances and inhibited snowfall during midwinter. From 1945 to 2003, glaciers in the Suntar–Khayata range retreated, with an area reduction of 19.3%. To assess this retreat, we estimated the response of the glaciers to climate change. According to US National Centers for Environmental Prediction (NCEP) data, the temperature in this region increased by ~1.9°C over 60 years. By calculating snow accumulation and ablation, the sensitivity of the equilibrium-line altitude (ELA) to the temperature shift was evaluated. We estimated snow precipitation based on precipitation at <0°C and ablation using the degree-day method. By these estimates, the ELA of Glacier No. 31, assumed 2350 m at present, could rise ~150m if temperature rises an average of 1°C. Furthermore, a 1.8°C temperature rise could cause the ELA to rise to 2600ma.s.l., removing the accumulation zone. With no accumulation zone, the glacier body would decrease, roughly halving in volume after ~400 years.

Climate signals in tree-ring width, density and δ13C from larches in Eastern Siberia (Russia)

We present the first and longest (413 years) dataset on stable carbon isotope ratios in tree-ring cellulose ( δ 13C), tree-ring width (TRW), and maximum latewood density (MXD) obtained from larch trees growing on permafrost under continental climate in the Suntar Khayata mountain ridge in Eastern Siberia (Russia). With this first study we calibrate tree-ring parameters against climate quantities, and based on these results assess the potential added value of MXD and especially of δ 13C complementing TRW analysis for future climate reconstruction purposes. δ 13C chronologies were corrected for human induced changes in atmospheric CO 2 since AD 1800. Two different approaches were compared i) a correction referring merely to the decline in atmospheric δ 13C ( δ 13C atm) and ii) a correction additionally accounting for the increase in atmospheric partial pressure of CO 2. δ 13C chronologies are characterized by strong signal strength with only 4 trees representing the population signal at the site (mean inter-series correlation = 0.71 and EPS = 0.90). δ 13C variation shows low similarity to TRW and MXD, while correlation between TRW and MXD is highly significant. Correlation analysis of tree-ring parameters with gridded instrumental data (Climate Research Unit, CRU TS 2.1) over the AD 1929–2000 calibration period demonstrates that TRW and MXD react as reported from other sites at cold and humid northern latitudes: precipitation plays no significant role, but strong dependencies on monthly mean, maximum and minimum temperatures, particularly of the current summer (June to August), are found (up to r = 0.60, p < 0.001). Combining instrumental data to a summer season mean (JJA) and TRW and MXD to a growth parameter mean (TRW + MXD), clearly shows the importance of the number of frost days and minimum temperatures during summer ( r = 0.67, p < 0.001) to dominate tree growth and highlights the potential for climate reconstruction. Carbon isotope fixation in tree rings is obviously less controlled by temperature variables. In particular, the frost days and minimum temperature have a much smaller influence on δ 13C than on tree growth. δ 13C strongly reacts to current-year July precipitation ( r = − 0.44, p < 0.05) and June–July maximum temperature ( r = 0.46, p < 0.001). All significant ( p < 0.05) correlation coefficients are higher when using the corrected δ 13C chronology considering an additional plant physiological response on increasing atmospheric CO 2 concentration, than using the chronology corrected for δ 13C atm changes alone. Spatial distribution of correlations between tree-ring data and climate variables for Eastern Siberia indicates that the summer temperature regime in the studied region is mostly influenced by Arctic air masses, but precipitation in July seems to be brought out from the Pacific region. Both the combined TRW + MXD record and the δ 13С record revealed a high reconstruction potential for summer temperature and precipitation, respectively, particularly on decadal and longer-term scales.

Terrestrial bugs (Heteroptera) in high mountains of the Suntar-Khayata Range (Eastern Yakutia)

Thirty-nine species of bugs, representing meso-and xerophilic inhabitants of open tundra, meadow, and steppe landscapes, were collected within the altitude range of 1260–1850 m above sea level in the upper Kyubyume River basin (63°13′N, 139°36′E, the Indigirka River basin). In the sub-golets sparse forest zone (up to 1550 m), 37 species were recorded, the dominant form being Chlamydatus pullus. The bugs were rare in most of the habitats; their species richness and abundance increased distinctly only on the south-facing slopes, reaching the maximum in the cryophytic steppe. The specific features of these complexes manifested themselves in the prevalence of Capnoda nigroaenea, a xerophilic species of alpine mountain steppes. The rest of the dominants comprised the ecologically flexible Emblethis brachynotus, Chlamydatus pullus, and Galeatus spinifrons. In the goletstundra zone, 8 species were found, half of them being arctic forms (Calacanthia trybomi, Orthotylus artemisiae, Ch. wilkinsoni, and Ch. opacus). Ch. wilkinsoni was the most common species. The species composition of bug groups in the dry lichen-dryad communities within this zone resembled that of similar communities of zonal tundra, whereas the humid habitats remained unpopulated, unlike their plain analogues. Comparison of the heteropteran fauna of mountain tundras in different regions of the Verkhoyansk-Kolyma mountain country attests to significant variations of its species composition. The possible reasons for these differences are discussed.