Soil Iron and Phosphorus Geochemistry in Arctic Polygons from Barrow, Alaska
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Description
Chemical characterization of soil cores from high-centered and low-centered polygons in the Barrow Environmental Observatory, Utqiagvik, Alaska. The dataset includes 15 soil cores collected in triplicate from polygon center, ridge, and trough positions, analyzed in October 2015. It was produced by the NGEE Arctic project, a 10-year Department of Energy research effort from 2012-2022.
Use Cases
Analyze relationships between iron and phosphorus speciation data from sequential extractions and X-ray absorption spectroscopy across different polygon microtopographies.
Model soil carbon and nitrogen concentrations in bulk organic and mineral horizons as a function of gravimetric water content and loss-on-ignition measurements.
Compare geochemical profiles from fine-scale depth increments (minimum 4 cm) between high-centered and low-centered polygon types to understand permafrost thaw impacts.
Validate Earth system model (ELM) representations of Arctic soil biogeochemistry using field-measured parameters from specific polygon positions (center, ridge, trough).
Strengths
Includes 15 soil cores collected in triplicate for statistical robustness.
Provides multi-method characterization with sequential chemical extractions, X-ray absorption spectroscopy, and standard soil parameter quantification.
Samples represent distinct microtopographic positions (center, ridge, trough) within two major Arctic polygon types.
Limitations
Limited geographic scope to a single research area within the Barrow Environmental Observatory.
Temporal coverage is a single sampling event in October 2015, lacking seasonal or interannual variation.
Sample size of 15 cores may be insufficient for broad spatial generalizations across the Arctic.
Provenance
Source
NGEE Arctic project, supported by the Department of Energy’s Office of Biological and Environmental Research.
Collection Method
Soil cores collected to thaw depth, divided into subsamples (bulk horizons and fine-scale depth increments), and analyzed with sequential chemical extractions, X-ray absorption spectroscopy, and standard soil assays.
Time Range
October 2015
Geography
NGEE Arctic research area within the Barrow Environmental Observatory, Utqiagvik (Barrow), Alaska, USA.
Associated photographs of the 15 soil cores are provided but their format and accessibility are unknown. License terms for the dataset are not specified.