Climate Change and Arctic Coastal Infrastructure and Transportation

There are increased concerns related to the impact of a possible climate change on Arctic coastal infrastructure, transportation and exploitation of natural resources. The average global surface temperature is projected to increase from 1.4 to 5.8°C between 1990 and 2100. Output from general circulation models (GCMs), show that the environmental conditions of the Arctic coast will change drastically with an increase in global surface temperature. The aerial extent and thickness of ice will change, in general showing lesser ice extent and thickness. Thinner, less extensive sea ice will generally improve navigation conditions along most northern shipping routes, such as the Northwest Passage, offshore of Canada, the Northern Sea Route and offshore of Russia. Lesser ice extent and thickness will probably provide an opportunity for export of natural resources and other waterborne commerce over new northern shipping routes. However, more open water allows wave generation by winds over longer fetches and durations. Wave-induced coastal erosion along Arctic shores is expected to increase with global warming. Sea level rise is also an effect of increased surface and seawater temperatures that has to be taken into consideration in coastal infrastructure design. Permafrost coasts are especially vulnerable to erosive processes as ice beneath the seabed and shoreline melts from contact with warmer air and water. Low-lying ice-rich Arctic permafrost coasts are most vulnerable to thaw subsidence and subsequent wave-induced erosion. Global warming may also change Arctic rivers as transportation routes, water sources, and habitats. This paper discusses results from general circulation models and the impact of predicted climate scenarios on ice conditions, coastal environment and transportation.

• Record URL:
  http://www.poac.com/Papers/POAC03_V2.zip
• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/isbn/9788274820623
• Supplemental Notes:
  • Abstract reprinted with permission of the International Conference on Port and Ocean Engineering Under Arctic Conditions (POAC).
• Corporate Authors:

  Port and Ocean Engineering under Arctic Conditions (POAC)

  ,    
• Authors:
  • Instanes, A
  • Brigham, L
• Conference:
  • 17th International Conference on Port and Ocean Engineering under Arctic Conditions (POAC'03)
  • Location: Trondheim , Norway
  • Date: 2003-6-16 to 2003-6-19
• Publication Date: 2003

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Digital/other
• Features: Figures; References;
• Pagination: 8p
• Monograph Title: POAC '03: Proceedings of the 17th International Conference on Port and Ocean Engineering under Arctic Conditions
• Serial:
  • Proceedings of the International Conference on Port and Ocean Engineering Under Arctic Conditions
  • Publisher: Port and Ocean Engineering under Arctic Conditions (POAC)
  • ISSN: 0376-6756
  • EISSN: 2077-7841
  • Serial URL: http://www.poac.com/PapersOnline.html

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Climate change; Ice navigation; Infrastructure; Sea ice; Water transportation; Weather conditions
• Geographic Terms: Arctic Regions
• Subject Areas: Environment; Marine Transportation; I15: Environment;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01583464
• Record Type: Publication
• ISBN: 9788274820623
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Dec 23 2015 8:09AM