Variations of Stable Oxygen and Hydrogen Isotopes in the Ice Core of the Pingo (Southern Part of Gydan Peninsula)

Abstract

The vertical isotopic profile of the ice core of a Messoyakha-1 bulgunniakh (pingo)—was obtained. The pingo is situated at 68°30′32″ N, 79°59′53″ E, in the southern part of the Gydan Peninsula within the Middle Messoyakha swell. No significant variations were registered in the isotopic composition of the pingo ice core: δ¹⁸О varied from –14.98 to –16.60‰ and δ²Н varied from –117.9 to –122.8 ‰. This small range of values probably resulted from intense heaving and rather rapid formation of the pingo. Based on the features of the pingo, it can be assumed that initially there was a lake of 0.5 km length and 0.3 km width at this site. Then, the water drained into a nearby river, the lake began to dry out, and the khasyrey (alas), which occupies most of the former lake area, was formed. The pingo itself arose during the freezing of the alas under its gradual drying out.