Permafrost

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 Permafrost:

P.K.Ghatak,MD

No.67

When the ground remains frozen at or below 0°C (32°F) for at least two consecutive years; the Geologists designate it as Permafrost.

Types of Permafrost.

1, Continuous .The entire ground remains frozen.

2, Discontinuous. Less than 100 % of the ground but more than 50% remains frozen.

3, Sporadic. Less than 50% but more than 5% remains frozen.

4, Isolated. Small patches of land here and there remain frozen.

In the arctic region, the oldest permafrost has remained frozen for 700,000 years. 25% of land in the Northern Hemisphere is covered by permafrost and is located in Alaska, Canada, Siberia. Tibetan Plateau and Greenland. Much less landmass in the Southern Hemisphere is covered by permafrost and mainly found in the High Andes, Patagonia, New Zealand and Antarctica.

Depth of Permafrost.

It varies from less than one meter to over 1,500 meters deep.

Beneficial Effects of Permafrost.

Permafrost acts as a massive Carbon Dioxide sink and it holds twice the atmospheric CO2.


Harmful Effects of Global Warming.

1, Thawing of permafrost and releasing of CO2.

2. Decomposition of organic matters and releasing Methane in addition to CO2. These gases accelerate global warming.

3, Softening of the ground. The foundation of buildings, roads, airports, railway tracts and radar and military installations etc, will sink and many structures will topple.

4, Harmful Microorganisms that are sequestered in the permafrost will come alive. Many of the microbes may be totally unfamiliar with the present generation and the chances of endemic or pandemic breaking out are high.

5, Thawing produces water which forms small and large lakes. The water is contaminated with decaying organic matters. People settled in those areas find water shortage and fresh water has to be trucked in.


How Solid structures were built.

Only those structures built on the continuous permafrost remained standing and in other areas failed. Pipes that carry hot water in the buildings or drainage of warm wastewater will thaw the permafrost. It will result in the failure of buildings after only a few years of use. Frictions by moving wheels by automobiles and rail cars generate heat and it will thaw the ground. The Trans-Siberian Railway built in 1901, crumbled within months of operation. Mr. Mikhail Kim, a Soviet engineer, introduced a new method of building foundations of buildings on Wood Piles. Later he found the wooden piles had to be driven down 15 meters in the permafrost to maintain stability.

The Tran-Alaskan Pipeline was built above the ground. The pillars are kept steady by keeping the ground frozen by piping in super-cool anhydrous ammonia. Chinese built the Trans -Tibetan Railway, using his technique and spending a very large amount of money.

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