242 Alaskan Science Conference 



Canadian Arctic and Subarctic, Greenland, Svalbard Archi- 

 pelago, and numerous islands in the Arctic Ocean. 



In some sections of the permafrost zone, permanently frozen 

 ground is found in sporadic fashion. Immediately adjacent to 

 some streams and lakes the ground remains unfrozen. In some 

 places the permafrost is disappearing while in other places it 

 may be forming. 



Permafrost at some locations is near the thawing point while 

 at other places the temperature of the frozen ground may be 

 several degrees below the freezing point. Sewers, water lines, 

 treatment structures and other sanitary facilities must be de- 

 signed to function satisfactorily under any of these conditions. 



Seasonal frost may extend down until it reaches permanently 

 frozen ground in some areas while in other areas a thawed layer 

 may exist between the seasonally and permanently frozen strata. 

 At some points the permafrost has been reported to extend 

 down to a depth of more than goo feet. The problems of foun- 

 dation design and the procurement of w T ater supplies from the 

 earth are obvious under conditions such as these. 



Permafrost which is made up of finely divided soil particles 

 and appreciable amounts of soil moisture exerts an entirely 

 different influence upon sanitary facilities than is exerted by 

 dry permafrost or a permafrost which consists principally of 

 frozen gravels. 



Areal extent, continuum, temperature, depth, and type of 

 permafrost have a direct effect upon selection of sanitary meas- 

 ures and facilities used in low temperature regions. These 

 features limit the means for procurement of safe and adequate 

 ground water supplies, disposal of harmful wastes, housing, 

 insect control, and change foodhandling practices. They hamper 

 the provision of structurally stable sanitary facilities. 



A thorough site study is a prerequisite to planning all sani- 

 tary facilities for use in the permafrost region. Complete under- 

 standing of subsurface conditions may well mean the difference 

 between having environmental health control and not having 

 environmental health control. 



Under permafrost conditions, construction and operation 



