The Next-Generation Ecosystem Experiment Arctic Rainfall Simulator: a tool to understand the effects of changing rainfall patterns in the Arctic
Rainfall frequency and intensity are expected to increase in the Arctic, with potential detrimental impacts on permafrost, leading to enhanced thawing and carbon release to the atmosphere. However, there have been very few studies on the effect of discrete rain events on permafrost in the Arctic and...
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ftdoajarticles:oai:doaj.org/article:02a3b0bd641a4c47a68c1de1add5b01a 2024-09-15T18:29:21+00:00 The Next-Generation Ecosystem Experiment Arctic Rainfall Simulator: a tool to understand the effects of changing rainfall patterns in the Arctic Caleb Renner Nathan Conroy Evan Thaler Adam Collins Lauren Thomas Shannon Dillard Joel Rowland Katrina Bennett 2024-01-01T00:00:00Z https://doi.org/10.2166/nh.2023.146 https://doaj.org/article/02a3b0bd641a4c47a68c1de1add5b01a EN eng IWA Publishing http://hr.iwaponline.com/content/55/1/67 https://doaj.org/toc/1998-9563 https://doaj.org/toc/2224-7955 1998-9563 2224-7955 doi:10.2166/nh.2023.146 https://doaj.org/article/02a3b0bd641a4c47a68c1de1add5b01a Hydrology Research, Vol 55, Iss 1, Pp 67-82 (2024) arctic field experimental design permafrost permafrost thaw rainfall rainfall simulator River lake and water-supply engineering (General) TC401-506 Physical geography GB3-5030 article 2024 ftdoajarticles https://doi.org/10.2166/nh.2023.146 2024-08-05T17:49:35Z Rainfall frequency and intensity are expected to increase in the Arctic, with potential detrimental impacts on permafrost, leading to enhanced thawing and carbon release to the atmosphere. However, there have been very few studies on the effect of discrete rain events on permafrost in the Arctic and sub-Arctic. Conducting controlled rainfall experiments within permafrost landscapes can provide an improved understanding of the effect of changing intensity, duration, and timing of rain events on permafrost tundra ecosystems. Here, we describe the design and implementation of the Next-Generation Ecosystem Experiment Arctic Rainfall Simulator (NARS), a variable intensity (4–82 mm/h) rainfall simulator that can be used to study the effects of rainfall on permafrost stability. The NARS design includes a 3D-printed 4 cm H-flume and uses an eTape resistivity sensor that was calibrated (R2 = 0.9–0.96) to measure discharge from the system. NARS is designed to be lightweight, simple to construct, and can be easily deployed in remote locations. As a field validation of updated rainfall simulator design and modernized controls, NARS was tested on the Seward Peninsula, AK. Because of its portability, versatility in deployment, dimensions, and rainfall intensity, NARS represents a methodological innovation for researching the impacts of rainfall on permafrost environments. HIGHLIGHTS Rainfall is expected to increase in the Arctic over the next century.; The effects of rainfall on permafrost stability are poorly understood.; We developed a variable intensity rainfall simulator for use in remote areas.; The new rainfall simulator is lightweight and modernizes simulator controls.; The simulator can be used to study rain effects on permafrost.; Article in Journal/Newspaper permafrost Seward Peninsula Tundra Directory of Open Access Journals: DOAJ Articles Hydrology Research 55 1 67 82 |
institution |
Open Polar |
collection |
Directory of Open Access Journals: DOAJ Articles |
op_collection_id |
ftdoajarticles |
language |
English |
topic |
arctic field experimental design permafrost permafrost thaw rainfall rainfall simulator River lake and water-supply engineering (General) TC401-506 Physical geography GB3-5030 |
spellingShingle |
arctic field experimental design permafrost permafrost thaw rainfall rainfall simulator River lake and water-supply engineering (General) TC401-506 Physical geography GB3-5030 Caleb Renner Nathan Conroy Evan Thaler Adam Collins Lauren Thomas Shannon Dillard Joel Rowland Katrina Bennett The Next-Generation Ecosystem Experiment Arctic Rainfall Simulator: a tool to understand the effects of changing rainfall patterns in the Arctic |
topic_facet |
arctic field experimental design permafrost permafrost thaw rainfall rainfall simulator River lake and water-supply engineering (General) TC401-506 Physical geography GB3-5030 |
description |
Rainfall frequency and intensity are expected to increase in the Arctic, with potential detrimental impacts on permafrost, leading to enhanced thawing and carbon release to the atmosphere. However, there have been very few studies on the effect of discrete rain events on permafrost in the Arctic and sub-Arctic. Conducting controlled rainfall experiments within permafrost landscapes can provide an improved understanding of the effect of changing intensity, duration, and timing of rain events on permafrost tundra ecosystems. Here, we describe the design and implementation of the Next-Generation Ecosystem Experiment Arctic Rainfall Simulator (NARS), a variable intensity (4–82 mm/h) rainfall simulator that can be used to study the effects of rainfall on permafrost stability. The NARS design includes a 3D-printed 4 cm H-flume and uses an eTape resistivity sensor that was calibrated (R2 = 0.9–0.96) to measure discharge from the system. NARS is designed to be lightweight, simple to construct, and can be easily deployed in remote locations. As a field validation of updated rainfall simulator design and modernized controls, NARS was tested on the Seward Peninsula, AK. Because of its portability, versatility in deployment, dimensions, and rainfall intensity, NARS represents a methodological innovation for researching the impacts of rainfall on permafrost environments. HIGHLIGHTS Rainfall is expected to increase in the Arctic over the next century.; The effects of rainfall on permafrost stability are poorly understood.; We developed a variable intensity rainfall simulator for use in remote areas.; The new rainfall simulator is lightweight and modernizes simulator controls.; The simulator can be used to study rain effects on permafrost.; |
format |
Article in Journal/Newspaper |
author |
Caleb Renner Nathan Conroy Evan Thaler Adam Collins Lauren Thomas Shannon Dillard Joel Rowland Katrina Bennett |
author_facet |
Caleb Renner Nathan Conroy Evan Thaler Adam Collins Lauren Thomas Shannon Dillard Joel Rowland Katrina Bennett |
author_sort |
Caleb Renner |
title |
The Next-Generation Ecosystem Experiment Arctic Rainfall Simulator: a tool to understand the effects of changing rainfall patterns in the Arctic |
title_short |
The Next-Generation Ecosystem Experiment Arctic Rainfall Simulator: a tool to understand the effects of changing rainfall patterns in the Arctic |
title_full |
The Next-Generation Ecosystem Experiment Arctic Rainfall Simulator: a tool to understand the effects of changing rainfall patterns in the Arctic |
title_fullStr |
The Next-Generation Ecosystem Experiment Arctic Rainfall Simulator: a tool to understand the effects of changing rainfall patterns in the Arctic |
title_full_unstemmed |
The Next-Generation Ecosystem Experiment Arctic Rainfall Simulator: a tool to understand the effects of changing rainfall patterns in the Arctic |
title_sort |
next-generation ecosystem experiment arctic rainfall simulator: a tool to understand the effects of changing rainfall patterns in the arctic |
publisher |
IWA Publishing |
publishDate |
2024 |
url |
https://doi.org/10.2166/nh.2023.146 https://doaj.org/article/02a3b0bd641a4c47a68c1de1add5b01a |
genre |
permafrost Seward Peninsula Tundra |
genre_facet |
permafrost Seward Peninsula Tundra |
op_source |
Hydrology Research, Vol 55, Iss 1, Pp 67-82 (2024) |
op_relation |
http://hr.iwaponline.com/content/55/1/67 https://doaj.org/toc/1998-9563 https://doaj.org/toc/2224-7955 1998-9563 2224-7955 doi:10.2166/nh.2023.146 https://doaj.org/article/02a3b0bd641a4c47a68c1de1add5b01a |
op_doi |
https://doi.org/10.2166/nh.2023.146 |
container_title |
Hydrology Research |
container_volume |
55 |
container_issue |
1 |
container_start_page |
67 |
op_container_end_page |
82 |
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1810470761205334016 |