Long-Term Thermal Effects of Air Convection Embankments in Permafrost Zones: Case Study of the Qinghai–Tibet Railway, China

Abstract

Long-term thermal effects of air convection embankments (ACEs) over 55-km-long permafrost zones along the Qinghai–Tibet railway were analyzed on the basis of 14-year records (22–216) of ground temperature. The results showed that, after embankment construction, permafrost tables beneath the ACEs moved upward quickly in the first 3 years and then remained stable over the next 1 years. The magnitude of this upward movement showed a positive correlation with embankment thickness. Shallow permafrost temperature beneath the ACEs decreased over a 5-year period after embankment construction in cold permafrost zones, but increased sharply concurrent with permafrost table upward movement in warm permafrost zones. Deep permafrost beneath all the ACEs showed a slow warming trend due to climate warming. Overall, the thermal effects of ACEs significantly uplifted underlying permafrost tables after embankment construction and then maintained them well in a warming climate. The different thermal effects of ACEs in cold and warm permafrost zones related to the working principle of the ACEs and natural ground thermal regime in the two zones.