Mechanical and chemical weathering of periglacial and non-periglacial forms on the eastern Fosheim Peninsula, Ellesmere Island (Northwest Territories)

• Main Author: Chadwick, Cameron Lawrence
• Format: Text
• Language: unknown
• Published: Scholars Commons @ Laurier 1996
• Subjects: Geomorphology; Ellesmere Island; Fosheim Peninsula; Northwest Territories
• Online Access: https://scholars.wlu.ca/etd/339; https://scholars.wlu.ca/context/etd/article/1338/viewcontent/MM11439.PDF

The purpose of this study is to examine the differences in the mechanical and chemical weathering of different periglacial and non-periglacial forms on the eastern Fosheim Peninsula. Forms studied include: solifluction lobes, non-sorted stripes, polygons, mudboils, wetted sloped, dry ridge and wet meadow. Most sites including the periglacial forms of solifluction lobes, non-sorted stripes, and polygons show signs of chemical and mechanical weathering. The weathering found at all sites was minute but may be significant given the slow rates of weathering in this environment. The individual environmental variables of moisture and temperature levels do not appear to have a direct influence on weathering. However, it appears that at most sites there are environmental factors that can be interpreted as both inhibiting and enhancing weathering. Vegetated areas appear to have more chemical and mechanical weathering within the profile when compared to less vegetated sites. This is probably a result of many variables including moisture, albedo, root microbial and chemical activity. Vegetation also traps fine aeolian particles which may explain this observation. It is highly probable, given all of the different mechanical and chemical processes, that the soil found here is developed from a combination of these different processes and cannot be attributed to any specific variable.