Mapping how Arctic groundwater will respond to thawing permafrost

Mapping how Arctic groundwater will respond to thawing permafrost

Dalhousie researchers have revealed how Arctic aquifers—permeable layers of the ground that store and transmit water to rivers, lakes and terrestrial ecosystems—behave today and how these vital resources will change with warming temperatures and sea-level rise.

Research delves into Arctic's groundwater response to thawing permafrost

Halifax – Dalhousie University researchers are learning how aquifers in Canada’s Arctic will respond to warming temperatures and rises in sea levels. As permafrost thaws during the summer, a shallow aquifer is formed which allows storage of unfrozen groundwater and flows to rivers. Maps have allowed researchers to note that most shallow Arctic aquifers drain slowly, keeping groundwater close to the surface. The study suggests the amount of groun…