Measuring Thaw Depth Beneath Peat-Lined Arctic Streams Using Ground-Penetrating Radar

John H. Bradford, James P. McNamara, William Bowden, Michael N. Gooseff

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

52 Scopus citations

Abstract

In arctic streams, depth of thaw beneath the stream channel is likely a significant parameter controlling hyporheic zone hydrology and biogeochemical cycling. As part of an interdisciplinary study of this system, we conducted a field investigation to test the effectiveness of imaging substream permafrost using ground-penetrating radar (GPR). We investigated three sites characterized by low-energy water flow, organic material lining the streambeds, and water depths ranging from 0·2 to 2 m. We acquired data using a 200 MHz pulsed radar system with the antennas mounted in the bottom of a small rubber boat that was pulled across the stream while triggering the radar at a constant rate. We achieved excellent results at all three sites, with a clear continuous image of the permafrost boundary both peripheral to and beneath the stream. Our results demonstrate that GPR can be an effective tool for measuring substream thaw depth.

Original languageAmerican English
Pages (from-to)2689-2699
Number of pages11
JournalHydrological Processes
Volume19
Issue number14
DOIs
StatePublished - 19 Apr 2005

Keywords

  • Arctic streams
  • Ground-penetrating radar
  • Permafrost
  • Thaw bulb

EGS Disciplines

  • Earth Sciences
  • Geophysics and Seismology

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