SUMMER TEMPERATURES OF CRYOSOLIC SOILS IN THE NORTH-CENTRAL KEEWATIN, N.W.T.

• Published in: Canadian Journal of Soil Science
• Main Author: TARNOCAI, CHARLES
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Canadian Science Publishing 1980
• Subjects: Keewatin; permafrost
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.4141/cjss80-034; http://www.nrcresearchpress.com/doi/pdf/10.4141/cjss80-034

Soil temperatures were measured at six depths within 1 m of the surface on 10 Cryosolic soils in the north-central Keewatin area during the summer of 1976. The mean soil temperatures during the study period varied between 1.7 °C and 8.2 °C at a depth of 20 cm and −0.2 °C and 6.0 °C at a depth of 50 cm. The maximum and minimum soil temperatures at a depth of 20 cm ranged from 4.4 °C to 13.9 °C and from −0.6°C to 3.9 °C, respectively, while those at a depth of 50 cm ranged from −0.2 °C to 6.7 °C and from −1.1 °C to 2.2 °C, respectively. During the study period a freeze-back of 30 cm or more occurred from the permafrost on several sites. Soil temperatures were markedly higher where the soil material and vegetation were disturbed. The effects of drainage, soil materials, aspect, slope position, vegetation and peat cover on the soil temperature are discussed.