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Discover the Arctic Tundra: Permafrost, Carbon Cycle, and Cool Animals

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Niamh Cooke

26/04/2023

Geography

The Arctic Tundra case study

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Geography

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Physical geography

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Glacial systems and landscapes

Discover the Arctic Tundra: Permafrost, Carbon Cycle, and Cool Animals

The Arctic tundra is a unique and fragile ecosystem characterized by extreme climate conditions, permafrost, and low biodiversity. This summary explores the water and carbon cycles in the Arctic tundra, as well as the impact of human activities, particularly oil and gas extraction, on this delicate environment. The Arctic tundra permafrost carbon cycle plays a crucial role in global climate regulation, while the water cycle is heavily influenced by the presence of permafrost and seasonal changes.

Key points:

  • The Arctic tundra covers 8 million km² in Northern Canada, Alaska, and Siberia
  • Permafrost is a significant feature, affecting both water and carbon cycles
  • Low temperatures and short growing seasons result in low biodiversity
  • Human activities, especially oil and gas extraction, have significant impacts on the ecosystem
...

26/04/2023

478

ARCTIC TUNDRA there The Arctic Tundra occupies 8million kom in Northern Canada, Alaska and Siberia. It has severe climate conditions. Mean t

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Human Impact on Arctic Tundra: Oil and Gas Extraction

The North Slope of Alaska, a vast wilderness of tundra, has been significantly impacted by oil and gas extraction since the discovery of these resources at Prudhoe Bay in 1968. This human activity has had profound effects on the Arctic tundra permafrost carbon cycle and the overall ecosystem.

Definition: North Slope - The region of Alaska north of the Brooks Range, extending to the Arctic Ocean.

The challenges of oil and gas extraction in the Arctic tundra include harsh climate conditions, extreme cold, long dark periods, permafrost, melting active layer, and poor accessibility. Despite these challenges, production has been driven by high global energy prices and U.S. policy to reduce imports.

Quote: "Early 1990's - North Slope gave US 25% of its domestic oil production. Today it is 4% due to high production cost + growth of industry."

The impacts of oil and gas extraction on the carbon and water cycles in the Arctic tundra are significant:

  1. Localized melting of permafrost due to construction and operation of installations, settlements, and infrastructure.
  2. Release of CO₂ and methane from melting permafrost, with CO₂ loss varying from 7-40 million tonnes annually.
  3. Destruction of vegetation, reducing photosynthesis and uptake of CO₂ from the atmosphere.
  4. Increased microbial activity and decomposition due to soil thawing, leading to higher CO₂ emissions.
  5. Water abstraction from creeks and rivers for industrial use, reducing localized runoff.
  6. Creation of artificial lakes through strip mining of aggregates, disrupting drainage and melting permafrost.

Highlight: North Slope emissions have increased by 73% since 1975 due to industrial activities.

To moderate the impacts of oil and gas extraction, several strategies have been implemented:

  1. Construction of insulated ice and gravel pads for roads to protect permafrost from melting.
  2. Elevation of buildings and pipelines on piles to allow cold air circulation and provide insulation.
  3. Use of more powerful computers for remote detection of oil and gas-bearing geological structures, reducing the need for exploration wells and minimizing environmental impact.

These strategies aim to mitigate the negative effects of human activities on the Arctic tundra permafrost carbon cycle and the overall ecosystem. However, the long-term consequences of oil and gas extraction in this fragile environment remain a concern for scientists and environmentalists alike.

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Physical geography

Glacial systems and landscapes

 

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26 Apr 2023

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Discover the Arctic Tundra: Permafrost, Carbon Cycle, and Cool Animals

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Niamh Cooke

@niamhcooke_yelp

The Arctic tundra is a unique and fragile ecosystem characterized by extreme climate conditions, permafrost, and low biodiversity. This summary explores the water and carbon cycles in the Arctic tundra, as well as the impact of human activities, particularly oil... Show more

ARCTIC TUNDRA there The Arctic Tundra occupies 8million kom in Northern Canada, Alaska and Siberia. It has severe climate conditions. Mean t

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Human Impact on Arctic Tundra: Oil and Gas Extraction

The North Slope of Alaska, a vast wilderness of tundra, has been significantly impacted by oil and gas extraction since the discovery of these resources at Prudhoe Bay in 1968. This human activity has had profound effects on the Arctic tundra permafrost carbon cycle and the overall ecosystem.

Definition: North Slope - The region of Alaska north of the Brooks Range, extending to the Arctic Ocean.

The challenges of oil and gas extraction in the Arctic tundra include harsh climate conditions, extreme cold, long dark periods, permafrost, melting active layer, and poor accessibility. Despite these challenges, production has been driven by high global energy prices and U.S. policy to reduce imports.

Quote: "Early 1990's - North Slope gave US 25% of its domestic oil production. Today it is 4% due to high production cost + growth of industry."

The impacts of oil and gas extraction on the carbon and water cycles in the Arctic tundra are significant:

  1. Localized melting of permafrost due to construction and operation of installations, settlements, and infrastructure.
  2. Release of CO₂ and methane from melting permafrost, with CO₂ loss varying from 7-40 million tonnes annually.
  3. Destruction of vegetation, reducing photosynthesis and uptake of CO₂ from the atmosphere.
  4. Increased microbial activity and decomposition due to soil thawing, leading to higher CO₂ emissions.
  5. Water abstraction from creeks and rivers for industrial use, reducing localized runoff.
  6. Creation of artificial lakes through strip mining of aggregates, disrupting drainage and melting permafrost.

Highlight: North Slope emissions have increased by 73% since 1975 due to industrial activities.

To moderate the impacts of oil and gas extraction, several strategies have been implemented:

  1. Construction of insulated ice and gravel pads for roads to protect permafrost from melting.
  2. Elevation of buildings and pipelines on piles to allow cold air circulation and provide insulation.
  3. Use of more powerful computers for remote detection of oil and gas-bearing geological structures, reducing the need for exploration wells and minimizing environmental impact.

These strategies aim to mitigate the negative effects of human activities on the Arctic tundra permafrost carbon cycle and the overall ecosystem. However, the long-term consequences of oil and gas extraction in this fragile environment remain a concern for scientists and environmentalists alike.

ARCTIC TUNDRA there The Arctic Tundra occupies 8million kom in Northern Canada, Alaska and Siberia. It has severe climate conditions. Mean t

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Access to all documents

Improve your grades

Join milions of students

By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy

Arctic Tundra Overview

The Arctic tundra is a vast, cold biome covering 8 million km² across Northern Canada, Alaska, and Siberia. This harsh environment is characterized by extreme climate conditions, with mean temperatures of -15°C and a short growing season of only 3 months. The Arctic tundra permafrost carbon cycle is a critical component of this ecosystem, influencing both local and global climate patterns.

Vocabulary: Permafrost - Permanently frozen ground that remains at or below 0°C for at least two consecutive years.

The water cycle in the Arctic tundra is heavily influenced by the presence of permafrost, which acts as a barrier to infiltration and groundwater flow. This results in unique hydrological features such as extensive wetlands, ponds, and lakes during the summer months.

Highlight: The Arctic tundra's permafrost is a vast carbon sink, globally containing 1600 GT of carbon.

The carbon cycle in the Arctic tundra is characterized by slow decomposition rates due to low temperatures, resulting in the accumulation of carbon in the soil. This makes the Arctic tundra permafrost carbon cycle a crucial factor in global climate regulation.

Example: The carbon stored in Arctic tundra soils is five times more than that in biomass.

The physical factors, seasonal changes, and stores and flows of the carbon and water cycles in the Arctic tundra are intricately linked. The presence of permafrost, low temperatures, and limited liquid water availability all contribute to the unique characteristics of this ecosystem.

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This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.

David K

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Rohan U

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I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.

Xander S

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Elisha

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This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now

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