Ice segregation and gas distribution in permafrost using tomodensitometric analysis

• Published in: Permafrost and Periglacial Processes
• Main Authors: Fabrice Calmels, Michel Allard
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: unknown
• Subjects: Ice; permafrost
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.1002/ppp.508

Ice lenses, soil layers, faults, sedimentary structures and gas bubbles in permafrost cores were imaged using a computed tomography scanner. Two kinds of images were produced: two‐dimensional sections which allow ice, gases and soil volumetric contents to be measured, and virtual three‐dimensional reconstructions of the entire core. Volumetric ice and gas contents were measured at 60% and 2% respectively. Ice and gas contents appear to be independent of each other along the stratigraphic profile. The shape and spatial distribution of gaseous inclusions in the permafrost provide some clues on gas source and on the thermo‐mechanics of ice segregation during permafrost aggradation. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.