PERMAFROST IN ORGANIC SOILS OF NORTHERN ALBERTA
The distribution and some of the characteristics of a frozen layer in the organic soils of northern Alberta were investigated between 1957 and 1962.The data showed that the area could be divided into three broad zones with regard to the persistence of a frozen layer in these soils. In zone A a froze...
| Published in: | Canadian Journal of Soil Science |
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| Main Authors: | , |
| Format: | Article in Journal/Newspaper |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Canadian Science Publishing
1965
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| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://dx.doi.org/10.4141/cjss65-037 http://www.nrcresearchpress.com/doi/pdf/10.4141/cjss65-037 |
| Summary: | The distribution and some of the characteristics of a frozen layer in the organic soils of northern Alberta were investigated between 1957 and 1962.The data showed that the area could be divided into three broad zones with regard to the persistence of a frozen layer in these soils. In zone A a frozen condition was found at 90% of the inspection sites at an average depth of 22 in. In zone B only 60% of the sites had a frozen layer, and were usually confined to the more shaded locations. The frozen layer in zone B was much thinner, could usually be penetrated with a steel probe, and occurred at an average depth of 24 in. The third area, zone C, was characterized by a 24-in. frozen layer in early spring, which subsequently thawed at a fairly rapid rate and usually disappeared by mid- or late-July.Zone A is described as a permafrost area for organic soils. Zone B is an area of climafrost in which the frozen condition is temporary but frequently lasts for more than 1 year, and zone C is a region of active frost in which the frozen layer exists for less than a year. |
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