MONITORING OF THE ACTIVE LAYER, AT TORNETRASK AREA NEAR ABISKO, SWEDEN 1978-1997. by H. Jonas Akerman Dep. of Physical Geography, Lund University, Sweden CALM DATA COLLECTION 1978-1997 at CALM site S2: Abisko area. There are 11 data collection sites reported here; collectively they are considered to be the CALM S2 site. Please cite these data as follows: Akerman, H.J. 1998. Active layer monitoring, Abisko area, Sweden. In: International Permafrost Association, Data and Information Working Group, comp. Circumpolar Active-Layer Permafrost System (CAPS), version 1.0. CD-ROM available from National Snow and Ice Data Center, nsidc@kryos.colorado.edu. Boulder, Colorado: NSIDC, University of Colorado at Boulder. A. The TORNETRASK AREA in general 1. Site Name; TORNETRASK AREA. TT/GEN 2. Responsible Individual for CALM data collection; Dr. H. Jonas Akerman, Department of Physical Geography, Lund University, Solvegatan 13, 22363 LUND , Sweden. +46 46 123212. (+260 1 70 17 17, Fax +260 1 26 44 09, E-mail; agrisys@zamnet.zm ) 3. Latitude and longitude. 68o20'N, 18o50'E 4. Elevation above sea level; From 380-950 m.a.s.l. 5. Slope and aspect of CALM sites; Level sites. (Rakkas sites gentle slope towards North east) 6. Land-form or geomorphological description of the area. Wetland. The Rakkas sites are Alpine tundra above local tree line. 7. Predominant texture of soil. Peat. (The Rakkas sites alluvium and colluvium) 8. Vegetation classification; Palsa bog vegetation , 100% vegetation coverage. (The Rakkas sites 20-30%) 9. Information on permanent temperature and /or moisture installations etc. Thermistor profiles available at -- 10. Name and location of closest climate station ABSIKO. 68o20'N, 18o50'E (the Royal Swedish Academy of Science) Data for ABISKO submitted as attached file (EXCEL) Three additional stations are available within the Tornetrask area. TABLE 1. Reference normals 1961-1990 for the official SMHI (Swedish Meteorological and Hydrological Institute) climate stations situated within the investigated area. STATION AIR TEMPERATURE PRECIPITATION ABISKO, 388 m.a.s.l. -0.8 OC 304 mm BJÙRKLIDEN, 360 m.a.s.l. NA 652 mm KATTERJOKK, 500 m.a.s.l. -1.7 OC 848 mm BERGFORS, 480 m.a.s.l. NA 462 mm TORNETRASK, 390 m.a.s.l. -1.0 OC 472 mm TABLE 2. Reference normals of the air temperature in OC for the Abisko station (No. 18880) according to SMHI (the Swedish Meteorological and Hydrological Institute) and the Royal Swedish Academy of Science Period Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year 1913 - 1930 -10.9 -10.6 -8.1 -3.1 2.4 7.5 11.8 10.0 5.2 -1.0 -5.3 -9.6 -0.9 1931 -1960 -10.7 -11.0 -7.6 -2.6 2.7 8.2 12.2 10.3 5.7 0.0 -4.6 -8.0 -0.4 1961 - 1990 -12.0 -11.0 8.0 -2.9 3.0 8.4 11.0 9.6 5.2 0.2 -5.1 -9.1 -0.8 1913 - 1994 -11.1 -10.8 -7.8 -2.8 2.8 8.1 11.6 10.0 5.4 -0.2 -5.0 -8.7 -0.7 TABLE 3. Reference normals 1961-1990 and/or estimated values of air temperature and precipitation at or near the investigated field sites. FIELD SITE CLIMATE STATION AIR TEMPERATURE PRECIPITATION AB1: Storflaket AB2: Kursflaket AB3: Mellanflaket AB5: Heliport ABISKO -0.8 OC 304mm AB8: Rakkas I AB9: Rakkas II AB10: Rakkas III BJÙRKLIDEN -3.9 OC (estimated) -4.4 OC (estimated) 652 mm AB6: L…kta Hpl AB7: Katterjokk KATTERJOKK -1.7 OC 848 mm AB4: Tornetr„sk TORNETRýSK -1.0 OC 472 mm AB11: Nakervare BERGFORS -1.0 OC 462 mm B. The individual Sites. Site AB1; STORFLAKET This site is situated 7 km east of the Abisko research station on the south side of the highway at 68o20'88''N, 18 o 58'30''E. The site which is bordering the Stordalen Nature Conservation Area, is an almost even and unbroken peat plateau complex situated 380 m.a.s.l. and 1.5 km from the Tornetr„sk lake. The peat plateau area is approximately 1 km2 large. The material is a typical Spangnum peat which generally is between 70 and 120 cm thick. Below the peat is a silty material of glacio-lacustrian origin. The active layer is confined to the peat which in some cases have an increased mineral content with depth. In the marginal parts, especially at the eastern part of the peat plateau, there are some mound forms which externally are similar to the common palsas of the region. The mounds are up to 4 m high and are located near bordering streams indicating that they may have been formed by injection ice rather that segregation ice. 1. Site Name; AB1: STORFLAKET 2. Responsible Individual for CALM data collection; Dr. H. Jonas Akerman, Department of Physical Geography, Lund University, Solvegatan 13, 22363 LUND , Sweden. +46 46 123212. (+260 1 70 17 17, Fax +260 1 26 44 09, E-mail; agrisys@zamnet.zm ) 3. Latitude and longitude. 68o20'88''N, 18 o 58'30''E 4. Elevation above sea level; 380 m.a.s.l. 5. Slope and aspect of CALM sites; Level site. 6. Land-form or geomorphological description of the area. Wetland. Peat plateau. Isolated palsas. Polygonal cracks. 7. Predominant texture of soil. Peat. 8. Vegetation classification; Palsa bog vegetation , 100% vegetation coverage. 9. Information on permanent temperature and /or moisture installations etc. NA 10. Name and location of closest climate station ABSIKO. 68o20'N, 18o50'E (the Royal Swedish Academy of Science) Site AB2: Kursflaket This site is situated 5 km east of the Abisko research station on the North side of the highway at 68o21'06''N, 18 o 52'51''E. The site is an almost even dissected peat plateau complex situated 391m.a..s.l. and 1.5 km from the Tornetr„sk lake. The peat plateau area is approximately 1 km2 large. The material is a typical Spangnum peat which generally is between 70 and 120 cm thick. Below the peat is a silty/claey material of glacio-lacustrian origin. The active layer is confined to the peat which in some cases have an increased mineral content with depth. In the marginal parts, especially at the northern part of the peat plateau, there are two large mound forms which externally are similar to the common palsas of the region. The mounds are up to 4 m high and are located near bordering streams indicating that they may have been formed by injection ice rather that segregation ice. 1. Site Name; AB2: KURSFLAKET 2. Responsible Individual for CALM data collection; Dr. H. Jonas Akerman, Department of Physical Geography, Lund University, Solvegatan 13, 22363 LUND , Sweden. +46 46 123212. (+260 1 70 17 17, Fax +260 1 26 44 09, E-mail; agrisys@zamnet.zm ) 3. Latitude and longitude. 68o21'06''N, 18 o 52'51''E 4. Elevation above sea level; 391 m.a.s.l. 5. Slope and aspect of CALM sites; Level site, gentle drainage towards north. 6. Land-form or geomorphological description of the area. Wetland. Peat plateau. Isolated palsas. Polygonal cracks. 7. Predominant texture of soil. Peat. 8. Vegetation classification; Palsa bog vegetation, 100% vegetation coverage. 9. Information on permanent temperature and /or moisture installations etc. Thermistor profile installed 1993 and still operating. 10. Name and location of closest climate station ABSIKO. 68o20'N, 18o50'E (the Royal Swedish Academy of Science) Site AB3: Mellanflaket This site is situated 6 km east of the Abisko research station on the North side of the highway at 68o20'76''N, 18 o 55'21''E. The site is an almost even dissected peat plateau complex situated 390 m.a..s.l. and 2 km from the Tornetr„sk lake. The material is a typical Spangnum peat which generally is between 70 and 100 cm thick. Below the peat is a sandy material of glacio-lacustrian origin. The active layer is confined to the peat which in some cases have an increased mineral content with depth. The area have no significant mound forms. 1. Site Name; AB3: Mellanflaket 2. Responsible Individual for CALM data collection; Dr. H. Jonas Akerman, Department of Physical Geography, Lund University, Solvegatan 13, 22363 LUND , Sweden. +46 46 123212. (+260 1 70 17 17, Fax +260 1 26 44 09, E-mail; agrisys@zamnet.zm ) 3. Latitude and longitude. 68o20'76''N, 18 o 55'21''E 4. Elevation above sea level; 390 m.a.s.l. 5. Slope and aspect of CALM sites; Level site, gentle drainage towards the south. 6. Land-form or geomorphological description of the area. Wetland. Peat plateau. Polygonal cracks. 7. Predominant texture of soil. Peat. 8. Vegetation classification; Palsa bog vegetation, 100% vegetation coverage. 9. Information on permanent temperature and /or moisture installations etc. Thermistor profile installed 1993 and run up to Sept. 1995 10. Name and location of closest climate station ABSIKO. 68o20'N, 18o50'E (the Royal Swedish Academy of Science) ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Site AB4: Tornetr„sk This site is situated 2km north of the Tornetr„sk railvay station on the North side of the highway at 68o13'15''N, 19 o 44'20''E. The site is large palsa bog with traditional palsas and palsa complex situated 390 m.a..s.l. 0.5 km from the Tornetr„sk lake. The bog is drained towards the north and the Tornetr„sk Lake. The bog area is surrounded by birch forest and isolated islands of esker outcrops. The material in the bog is a typical Spangnum peat which generally is between 150 and 200 cm thick. Below the peat is a sandy material of glacio-lacustrian origin. The active layer is confined to the peat which generally is homogenous but in some cases have an increased mineral content with depth. The palsa bog at Tornetr„sk is one of the largest of the southern side of the Tornetr„sk Lake. The mature palsas are between 2 and 4 meters high and a majority of the larger forms have wind scars. All stages in the palsa cycle are present with no indication of a predominance for growing or degrading forms. The marginal part of the bog have numerous pounos. 1. Site Name; AB4: Tornetr„sk 2. Responsible Individual for CALM data collection; Dr. H. Jonas Akerman, Department of Physical Geography, Lund University, Solvegatan 13, 22363 LUND , Sweden. +46 46 123212. (+260 1 70 17 17, Fax +260 1 26 44 09, E-mail; agrisys@zamnet.zm ) 3. Latitude and longitude. 68o13'15''N, 19 o 44'20''E 4. Elevation above sea level; 390 m.a.s.l. 5. Slope and aspect of CALM sites; Level site, gentle drainage towards the north. 6. Land-form or geomorphological description of the area. Wetland. Palsa bog. 7. Predominant texture of soil. Peat. 8. Vegetation classification; Palsa bog vegetation, 100% vegetation coverage. 9. Information on permanent temperature and /or moisture installations etc. NA. 10. Name and location of closest climate station ABSIKO. 68o20'N, 18o50'E (the Royal Swedish Academy of Science)Site Name; -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Site AB5: Heliport This site is situated 2km West of the ABISKO Research station between the highway and the Tornetr„sk lake at 68o21'40''N, 18 o 51'05''E. The site is small alpine heath with a palsa bog with traditional palsas in it's eastern part. The area is situated 385 m.a..s.l. 0.5 km from the Tornetr„sk lake. The heath and bog is drained towards the north and the Tornetr„sk Lake. The area is surrounded by birch forest and isolated mounds of glacifluvial deposits. The material in the bog is a typical Spangnum peat which generally is shallow not exceeding 1.5 m. Below the peat is a sandy gravelly material of glaciofluvial origin. The active layer is confined to the peat which generally is homogenous but in some cases have an increased mineral content with depth. The mature palsas are between 1 and 2 meters high. The marginal part of the bog have some small pounos. 1. Site Name; AB5: Heliport 2. Responsible Individual for CALM data collection; Dr. H. Jonas Akerman, Department of Physical Geography, Lund University, Solvegatan 13, 22363 LUND , Sweden. +46 46 123212. (+260 1 70 17 17, Fax +260 1 26 44 09, E-mail; agrisys@zamnet.zm ) 3. Latitude and longitude. 68o21'40''N, 18 o 51'05''E 4. Elevation above sea level; 385 m.a.s.l. 5. Slope and aspect of CALM sites; Level site, gentle drainage towards the north. 6. Land-form or geomorphological description of the area. Wetland. Palsa bog. 7. Predominant texture of soil. Peat. 8. Vegetation classification; Palsa bog vegetation, 100% vegetation coverage. 9. Information on permanent temperature and /or moisture installations etc. NA. 10. Name and location of closest climate station ABSIKO. 68o20'N, 18o50'E (the Royal Swedish Academy of Science) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Site AB6: L…kta h…llplats This site is situated between the highway and the railway 0.5 km from the L…kta railway stopping in the outlet of the K„rkevagge valley. The Tornetr„sk lake is at a distance of 10 km to the east. The site is a small bog at 68o25'35''N, 18 o 20'00''E. The site is small alpine heath and a bog with puonos in the eastern part. The area is situated 490 m.a..s.l.. The heath and bog is drained towards the north and the Tornetr„sk Lake. The area is surrounded by birch forest and a complex pattern of mounds of glacifluvial deposits. The material in the bog is a typical Spangnum peat which generally is shallow. Below the peat is a sandy gravelly material of glaciofluvial origin. 1. Site Name; AB6: L…kta h…llplats 2. Responsible Individual for CALM data collection; Dr. H. Jonas Akerman, Department of Physical Geography, Lund University, Solvegatan 13, 22363 LUND , Sweden. +46 46 123212. (+260 1 70 17 17, Fax +260 1 26 44 09, E-mail; agrisys@zamnet.zm ) 3. Latitude and longitude. 68o25'35''N, 18 o 20'00''E 4. Elevation above sea level; 490 m.a.s.l. 5. Slope and aspect of CALM sites; Level site, gentle drainage towards the north. 6. Land-form or geomorphological description of the area. Wetland. Palsa bog. 7. Predominant texture of soil. Peat. 8. Vegetation classification; Palsa bog vegetation, 100% vegetation coverage. 9. Information on permanent temperature and /or moisture installations etc. NA. 10. Name and location of closest climate station Katterjokk. 68o21'N, 18 o 10''E (Swedish Meteorological Institute -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Site AB7:Katterjokk The western most site of the group. This site is situated close to the highway 3 km from the Swedish/Norwegian border. The position in the very outlet of the Vassivagge valley is a exact replication of the previous site which is situated outside the K„rkevagge valley. The Tornetr„sk lake is at a distance of 23 km to the east and has no longer a major impact on the local climate. The site is a small bog at 68o21'88''N, 18 o 10'30''E. The area is situated 480 m.a..s.l.. The heath and bog is drained towards the north and the Vassij„rve Lake. The area is surrounded by birch forest and a complex pattern of dissected delata surfaces and mounds of glacifluvial deposits. The material in the bog is a typical Spangnum peat which generally is shallow. Below the peat is a sandy gravelly material of glaciofluvial origin. 1. Site Name; AB7:Katterjokk 2. Responsible Individual for CALM data collection; Dr. H. Jonas Akerman, Department of Physical Geography, Lund University, Solvegatan 13, 22363 LUND , Sweden. +46 46 123212. (+260 1 70 17 17, Fax +260 1 26 44 09, E-mail; agrisys@zamnet.zm ) 3. Latitude and longitude. 68o21'88''N, 18 o 10'30''E 4. Elevation above sea level; 480 m.a.s.l. 5. Slope and aspect of CALM sites; Level site, gentle drainage towards the north. 6. Land-form or geomorphological description of the area. Wetland. Palsa bog. 7. Predominant texture of soil. Peat. 8. Vegetation classification; Palsa bog vegetation, 100% vegetation coverage. 9. Information on permanent temperature and /or moisture installations etc. NA. 10. Name and location of closest climate station Katterjokk. 68o21'N, 18 o 10''E (Swedish Meteorological Institute) ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Site AB8:Rakkas I The Rakslako sites are all situated some 5-8 km west of the Bj÷rkliden settlement. The sites are situated along the Rakasjokka river in a intermountain valley with a drainage from west to east. The Rakasjokka river starts at a pass at 1240 m.a.s.l below mount L…ktatjokka and on its way down to Tornetr„sk it has tree level stretches. Rakkas sites are situated along these level stretches which are filled with fluvial, alluvial and colluvial sediments. Here the river branches out into several small channels with bog surfaces in between. The bog surface have isolated frost mound and several fossil mound forms. The lower of the sites Rakkas I is situated at 68o23'35''N, 18 o 33'25''E. The area is situated 850 m.a..s.l.. The alpine heath and bog is drained towards the east. The area is well above the local timber line. The material in the bog is a Spangnum peat which generally is shallow, less than 50 cm. Below the peat is a sandy gravelly material of glaciofluvial/fluvial origin. 1. Site Name; AB8. Rakkas I 2. Responsible Individual for CALM data collection; Dr. H. Jonas Akerman, Department of Physical Geography, Lund University, Solvegatan 13, 22363 LUND , Sweden. +46 46 123212. (+260 1 70 17 17, Fax +260 1 26 44 09, E-mail; agrisys@zamnet.zm ) 3. Latitude and longitude. 68o23'35''N, 18 o 33'25''E 4. Elevation above sea level; 850 m.a.s.l. 5. Slope and aspect of CALM sites; Gentle drainage towards the East. 6. Land-form or geomorphological description of the area. Wetland. Alpine heath above timber line. 7. Predominant texture of soil. Peat. Alluvium /colluvium. 8. Vegetation classification; Alpine heath above timber line. 30 % vegetation cover 9. Information on permanent temperature and /or moisture installations etc. NA. 10. Name and location of closest climate station ABISKO. 68o20'N, 18o50'E (the Royal Swedish Academy of Science) Site AB9:Rakkas II The Rakslako II site is situated some 7 km west of the Bj÷rkliden settlement. The site is situated along the Rakasjokka river in a intermountain valley with a drainage from west to east. The Rakasjokka river starts at a pass at 1240 m.a.s.l below mount L…ktatjokka and on its way down to Tornetr„sk it has tree level stretches. Rakkas II is situated along the middle of these stretches which is filled with fluvial, alluvial and colluvial sediments creating a 1 km2 plain area. Here the river branches out into numerous small channels with bog surfaces in between. The bog surface have isolated palsa like frost mound and several fossil mound forms often described as fossil pingos. The middle of the sites, Rakkas II is situated at 68o23'40''N, 18 o 32'11''E. The area is situated 875 m.a..s.l.. The alpine heath and bog is drained towards the east. The area is well above the local timber line. The material in the bog is a Spangnum peat which generally is shallow, less than 40 cm. Below the peat is a sandy gravelly material of glaciofluvial/fluvial or colluvial origin. 1. Site Name; AB9:Rakkas II 2. Responsible Individual for CALM data collection; Dr. H. Jonas Akerman, Department of Physical Geography, Lund University, Solvegatan 13, 22363 LUND , Sweden. +46 46 123212. (+260 1 70 17 17, Fax +260 1 26 44 09, E-mail; agrisys@zamnet.zm ) 3. Latitude and longitude. 68o23'40''N, 18 o 32'11''E 4. Elevation above sea level; 875 m.a.s.l. 5. Slope and aspect of CALM sites; Gentle drainage towards the East. 6. Land-form or geomorphological description of the area. Bog surface. Alpine heath above timber line. 7. Predominant texture of soil. Peat. Alluvium /colluvium. 8. Vegetation classification; Alpine heath above timber line. 20 % vegetation cover 9. Information on permanent temperature and /or moisture installations etc. NA. 10. Name and location of closest climate station ABISKO. 68o20'N, 18o50'E (the Royal Swedish Academy of Science) Site AB10:Rakkas III The Rakslako III site is situated some 8 km west of the Bj÷rkliden settlement. The site is situated along the Rakasjokka river in a intermountain valley with a drainage from west to east. The Rakasjokka river starts at a pass at 1240 m.a.s.l below mount L…ktatjokka and on its way down to Tornetr„sk it has tree level stretches. Rakkas III is situated along the upper of these stretches which is filled with glacio\lacustrine, alluvial and colluvial sediments creating a small plain area between steep high mountain walls. The surface have several pingo like frost mound and several fossil pingo forms. The upper of the sites, Rakkas III is situated at 68o24'18''N, 18 o 31'80''E. The area is situated 950m.a..s.l.. 1. Site Name; AB10:Rakkas III 2. Responsible Individual for CALM data collection; Dr. H. Jonas Akerman, Department of Physical Geography, Lund University, Solvegatan 13, 22363 LUND , Sweden. +46 46 123212. (+260 1 70 17 17, Fax +260 1 26 44 09, E-mail; agrisys@zamnet.zm ) 3. Latitude and longitude. 68o24'18''N, 18 o 31'80''E 4. Elevation above sea level; 950 m.a.s.l. 5. Slope and aspect of CALM sites; Gentle drainage towards the East. 6. Land-form or geomorphological description of the area. Alpine heath above timber line. 20 % vegetation cover 7. Predominant texture of soil. Alluvium /colluvium. Glacio/lacustrine sediments below. 8. Vegetation classification; Alpine heath above timber line. 20 % vegetation cover 9. Information on permanent temperature and /or moisture installations etc. NA. 10. Name and location of closest climate station ABISKO. 68o20'N, 18o50'E (the Royal Swedish Academy of Science) Site AB11:Narkervare The Easternmost site of the group. This site is well known for technical permafrost studied performed by the Lulea Technical High-school during the construction of the Kiruna- Narvik road. The site is situated on both sides of the highway at 68o08'45''N, 19 o 47'15''E. The site is large bog with traditional palsas and palsa complex as well as peat plateaus situated 480 m.a..s.l. 2.5 km from the Tornetr„sk lake. The bog is drained towards the north and the Tornetr„sk Lake. The bog area is surrounded by birch forest and isolated islands of glacifluvium and moraines outcrops. The material in the bog is a typical Spangnum peat which generally is between 150 and 200 cm thick. The active layer is confined to the peat which generally is homogenous but in some cases have an increased mineral content with depth. This palsa bog is together with Tornetr„sk one of the largest of the southern side of the Tornetr„sk Lake. The mature palsas are between 2 and 3 meters high and some of the larger forms have wind scars. All stages in the palsa cycle are present with no indication of a predominance for growing or degrading forms. The marginal part of the bog have pounos. The area is surrounded by birch forest and a complex pattern of dissected delata surfaces and mounds of glacifluvial deposits. The material in the bog is a typical Spangnum peat. 1. Site Name; AB11:Narkervare 2. Responsible Individual for CALM data collection; Dr. H. Jonas Akerman, Department of Physical Geography, Lund University, Solvegatan 13, 22363 LUND , Sweden. +46 46 123212. (+260 1 70 17 17, Fax +260 1 26 44 09, E-mail; agrisys@zamnet.zm ) 3. Latitude and longitude. 68o08'45''N, 19 o 47'15''E 4. Elevation above sea level; 480 m.a.s.l. 5. Slope and aspect of CALM sites; Level site, gentle drainage towards the north. 6. Land-form or geomorphological description of the area. Wetland. Palsa bog. 7. Predominant texture of soil. Peat. 8. Vegetation classification; Palsa bog vegetation, 100% vegetation coverage. 9. Information on permanent temperature and /or moisture installations etc. By Lulea Technical HighSchool. 10. Name and location of closest climate station ABISKO. 68o20'N, 18o50'E (the Royal Swedish Academy of Science)