25 - Arctic Tundra Case Study Management Strategies

Question 1

What are Insulated Gravel Pads and how effective are they? (7/10) Local scale

Answer 1

• Insulated gravel pads are a method of reducing the impact of infrastructure on permafrost
• Insulated gravel pads work by removing the active layer of the tundra them replacing it with aggregate pads of coarse sand and gravel typically 1-2m thick. It is used below buildings, roads railway tracks and airstrips
• It helps reduce the impact on the water cycle because deep permafrost remains insulated (substitute for the insulating effect of vegetation) from the heat being transmitted to the ground from the buildings
• The gravel base is more stable because it doesn’t hold water and there is no ice to melt close to the surface, reducing the risk of subsidence/thermokarsts developing.
• It helps reduce the impact on the carbon cycle by preventing the thawing of permafrost and therefore the release of carbon stored in the permafrost.

Question 2

What are Buildings and pipelines elevated on stilts and how effective are they? (7/10) (Regional)

Answer 2

• In permafrost regions, buildings and pipelines can be elevated on stilts to reduce the amount of heat transfer from the structure to the ground. This helps to prevent thawing of the permafrost, reducing the risk of subsidence and damage to the structure.
• The stilts can be built on sleepers to allow for movement in the event of tectonic activity, with some stilts allowing up to 6 meters of horizontal and 1.5 meters of vertical movement.
• The Trans-Alaska Pipeline system is an example of this strategy, with the pipeline raised to a height of up to 3 meters on elevated supports, with over 420 miles of the pipeline raised on stilts.

Question 3

What are Utilidors and how effective are they? (7/10) (Regional)

Answer 3

• Utilidors Carry water supply, heating pipes and sewers between buildings in larger settlements.
• They are insulated box conduits made of concrete, wood or metal elevated above the ground.
• In smaller settlements to reduce cost, these resources are supplied by a truck.
• They reduce the human impact on the water cycle by limiting alterations to the thermal balance of the ground, thereby reducing the risk of permafrost melting and subsidence/thermokarsts developing.
• It reduces the human impact on the carbon cycle by preventing the thawing of permafrost and therefore the release of carbon stored in the permafrost

Question 4

What are More powerful computers and how effective are they? (Regional)

Answer 4

• More powerful computers are used for oil and gas exploration on drilling platforms. These computers allow for remote drilling and fewer wells, which reduces the impact on the landscape system.
• By minimizing the number of wells needed, the thermal balance of the ground is preserved, reducing the risk of subsidence and damage to the environment. This approach limits the release of carbon stored in the permafrost, reducing the impact on the carbon cycle.

Question 5

Evaluation

Insulated Gravel Pads

Answer 5

• While insulated gravel pads can be effective in reducing the impact of infrastructure on permafrost, they can be costly to install and maintain.
• Additionally, they may not be suitable for all types of structures, such as those with deep foundations.
• There is also the potential for the gravel base to become contaminated, which could lead to ecological damage.

Question 6

Evaluation

Buildings and Pipelines Elevated on Stilts

Answer 6

• This strategy is effective in reducing the impact of infrastructure on permafrost, but it can also be costly to implement and maintain.
• Additionally, it may not be suitable for all types of terrain, as it requires a stable foundation to support the structure.
• It can also be vulnerable to extreme weather events, such as strong winds or heavy snowfall, which could damage the structure.

Question 7

Evaluation

Utilidors

Answer 7

• Utilidors are effective in reducing the human impact on the water and carbon cycles, but they may not be suitable for all types of settlements.
• In larger settlements, the cost of building and maintaining the utilidor system may be too high, and in smaller settlements, it may not be practical due to limited resources and infrastructure.

Question 8

Evaluation

More Powerful Computers

Answer 8

• While more powerful computers can reduce the impact of oil and gas exploration on permafrost, they may not be effective in all situations.
• For example, they may not be able to detect all potential sources of oil and gas, and they may not be able to operate in extreme weather conditions.
• Additionally, the use of more powerful computers may increase energy consumption and contribute to greenhouse gas emission