University of Alaska Fairbanks Funding is requested for a comprehensive assessment of change and variability in major Siberian river systems and connections to surface climate and atmospheric circulation. The proposed work, a collaborative effort of four research institutions, will use historical records to examine interannual variation of monthly discharge and its relationships to various atmospheric and terrestrial variables.
Arctic rivers are an important component in global ocean and climate systems.
Our recent study discovered remarkable changes in hydrologic regimes of the major rivers in Siberia over the past several decades. These changes significantly impact cross-shelf movement of water, nutrients and sediments to the Arctic Ocean. Potential direct causes for these changes have not been examined. We believe that changes we have observed in the hydrologic regimes of these major Arctic rivers are very likely the consequence of changes in synoptic-scale atmospheric circulation, climatic warming, and the active layer and permafrost conditions over Siberia. Based on relevant studies, we hypothesize that warming in Siberia results in higher permafrost temperatures, a deeper active layer, and a longer thaw season.