Isotopic Signature (δ18O, δ2H) of Ice Wedges at Southern Limit of their Distribution near the City of Labytnangi (Yamal Peninsula)

Yu. N. Chizhova; L. P. Kuzyakin; Yu. K. Vasil’chuk; Z. M. Rogova; A. V. Dunaev

doi:10.7868/S2412376525030126

Isotopic Signature (δ18O, δ2H) of Ice Wedges at Southern Limit of their Distribution near the City of Labytnangi (Yamal Peninsula)

Yu. N. Chizhova, L. P. Kuzyakin, Yu. K. Vasil’chuk, Z. M. Rogova, A. V. Dunaev

https://doi.org/10.7868/S2412376525030126

Full Text:

Abstract

In 2024, a polygonal peatland with ice wedges was studied near the city of Labytnangi (Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Okrug, Russia). Ice wedges were uncovered in the wall of a thermoerosional gully cut into the polygonal peatland and opening into a thermokarst lake. The values of δ18O (from −14.4 to −19.35‰) and δ2H (from −103.7 to −143‰) of the ice were partially altered by secondary processes associated with flooding and subsequent freezing of free water. This led to the formation of thermokarst-cavity ice overlying the ice wedges, with δ18O values ranging from −11.5 to −15.5‰. The central parts of the ice wedges were not affected by secondary processes, and their isotopic characteristics indicated the Holocene or modern age of the ice wedges. In the studied polygonal peat bog, the elementary vein had the values of δ18O = −17.6‰ and δ2H = −126.7‰, while the vein penetrating one of the studied wedges was composed of thermokarst-cavitary ice with values of δ18O = −12.7‰ and δ2H = −93.3‰. Thus, the wedge-shaped sprouts above the wedge can be both elementary veins (within the given polygonal peat bog) or secondary thermokarst-cavitary ice (directly penetrating the described ice wedge), which is important for the use of ice wedges in paleo-climatic reconstructions. The relationship of δ2H–δ18O values of thermokarst-cavitary ice indicates open system conditions, when secondary ice was formed by gradual freezing of sediments connected to a large water reservoir, which may be a nearby thermokarst lake. Probably, the episode of significant thawing of ice wedges was associated with flooding of this part of the peat bog by a nearby lake. Isotope studies of underground ice are a reliable tool for establishing the paragenesis of different types of ice exposed in one outcrop.

Keywords

isotope composition, ground ice, ice wedges, thermokarst, paragenesis,

About the Authors

Yu. N. Chizhova

Institute of Geography, Russian Academy of Sciences
Russian Federation
Moscow

L. P. Kuzyakin

Lomonosov Moscow State University
Russian Federation
Moscow

Yu. K. Vasil’chuk

Lomonosov Moscow State University
Russian Federation
Moscow

Z. M. Rogova

Lomonosov Moscow State University
Russian Federation
Moscow

A. V. Dunaev

Lomonosov Moscow State University
Russian Federation
Moscow

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Supplementary files

For citation: Chizhova Y.N., Kuzyakin L.P., Vasil’chuk Y.K., Rogova Z.M., Dunaev A.V. Isotopic Signature (δ18O, δ2H) of Ice Wedges at Southern Limit of their Distribution near the City of Labytnangi (Yamal Peninsula). Ice and Snow. 2025;65(3):518-532. https://doi.org/10.7868/S2412376525030126

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