Alaskan Tundra: Impacts of Human Activity #2 Flashcards
Two ways human activities have increased the melting of permafrost in the Alaskan Tundra?
=> Direct Thermal Transfer
=> Changing Albedo of surfaces
Outline TAPS, impact on permafrost and management strategies?
=> Is a Trans-Alaskan Pipeline System, 800 miles long. Crude oil moving it must remain at 80 degrees to keep fluidity.
=> DIRECT THERMAL TRANSFER: Diffuses heat directly to the environment, increasing permafrost melting.
=> Managed by: Stilts, raised of the ground AND Therm-O-Trol —–> A metal bonded foam for arctic insulation for TAPS. Reduces amount of heat diffused.
Outline the spine road, the two impacts on permafrost and management strategies?
=> Spine road is constructed at Prudhoe Bay. Roads and permanent infrastructure have been built on gravel pads.
=> Nearby thermokarst lakes have become more extensive.
=> Connects to oil extraction.
=> DECREASING ALBEDO: Dust from gravel pads and roads generates large volumes of dust, which is blown to surrounding areas. Reduced albedo leads to more heat being absorbed and increased melting of permafrost.
=> Managed by: Use of ice roads. BUT Ice roads are seasonal. Does not produce dust and has a high albedo, thus does not accelerate any melting.
=> DECREASING ALBEDO: Spine road constructed 1.25m above tundra, blocking meltwater during melt season.
=> NO current management stratergy. Draiins could work, but not feasilble. Spine road is permanent and extensive. Drains would take years to build, no immediate solution.
Outline oil wells and drilling, impacts on permafrost and management?
=> Oil wells drill into the ground, through the permafrost into the oil or gas reservoir.
=> Form of direct heat transfer, between fluid and earth due to varying temperatures.
=> Use of a snake drill. Created by Shell. Enlarged drilling area, with smaller use of gravel pads. —> 12 acres of pad, 154 square miles of reach.
