Apparent thermal diffusivity of soil in ice-free areas of Keller peninsula in maritime Antarctica

Abstract

Heat transfer process in the soil active layer is important for the knowledge of its thermal properties linked with climate issues. The objective of this work was to analyze the energy flux in different soil profiles by estimating the apparent soil thermal diffusivity (ATD). The study was carried out in Keller Peninsula, located at King George Island in four different sites differing by soil characteristics, as well as vegetation coverage and landscape setting. The ATD was estimated in function of the long-term hourly temperature records at different soil depths. In addition, we estimated the seasonal mean of the ATD and the freezing N-factor. Results showed that ATD values were smaller at shallow depths and increased with depth. The diffusivity values presented lower variability in colder conditions, especially at deeper soil layers. Water content was the main factor affecting soil thermal diffusivity at sites 1 and 3 (more than 70 and 63% of probability). At sites 3 and 4 lower N-factors were observed, suggesting higher snow pack and permafrost closer to the soil surface. Hence, positive ATD appears in the summer due to thawing increases soil moisture, while negative ATD appears during the freeze of the snow pack and precipitation.