Flow channelling and variability in transit times and tortuosity in a fractured rock model with small scale heterogeneity
Andrew Frampton
CORRESPONDING AUTHOR
Department of Physical Geography, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
Bolin Centre for Climate Research, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
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The fate of thawing permafrost carbon is essential to our understanding of the permafrost-climate feedback and projections of future climate. Here, we modeled the transport of carbon in the groundwater within the active layer. We find that carbon transport velocities and potential microbial mineralization rates are strongly dependent on liquid saturation in the seasonally thawed active layer. In a warming climate, the rate at which permafrost thaws determines how fast carbon can be transported.
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To investigate the effect of groundwater flow on the active layer on slopes in permafrost landscapes, we conducted several modeling experiments. We find that groundwater moving downslope in the subsurface causes areas uphill to be warmer than downhill. This effect is explained by differences in heat capacity, conductivity, and infiltration. Therefore, in a changing climate, higher soil moisture could have a cooling effect on the active layer and attenuate warming from higher air temperatures.
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Short summary
This study reveals new insights to the behaviour of subsurface water flow in fractured bedrock which has important implications for environmental safety of geological storage of spent nuclear fuel, carbon sequestration and other unwanted substances. It shows the relevance of accounting for small scale fracture heterogeneity in models to make accurate predictions on the transit times and pathways water flow takes through bedrock.
This study reveals new insights to the behaviour of subsurface water flow in fractured bedrock...