The impact of light-colored pavements on active layer dynamics revealed by Ground-Penetrating Radar monitoring

• Main Authors: Jørgensen, Anders Stuhr, Ingeman-Nielsen, Thomas
• Format: Other Non-Article Part of Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Institute of Northern Engineering, University of Alaska Fairbanks 2008
• Subjects: /dk/atira/pure/sustainabledevelopmentgoals/climate_action; SDG 13 - Climate Action; Arctic; Greenland; Kangerlussuaq; Kangerlussuaq Airport
• Online Access: https://orbit.dtu.dk/en/publications/b9afdab2-dfd4-4b8f-8a34-5ddb0ff28a1a

Ground-penetrating radar (GPR) has been used to study the variations in the depth of the frost table throughout a complete thaw-freeze season in Kangerlussuaq Airport, western Greenland. In autumn 2000, three test areas were painted white on the parking area of the airport in order to reduce further development of depressions in the asphalt pavement. One of these areas has been used in the GPR investigations to compare the variations of the frost table underneath a normal dark asphalt surface to that below a more reflective surface. The GPR results have shown a clear correlation between the use of the reflective surface and a reduced depth to frost table. In late summer the difference in the depths to the frost table is approximately 0.9 m. The results should promote the interest in the development and use of light colored pavement materials in order to reduce the effect of a warming climate on arctic infrastructures.