Langzeitprognosen zum Sickerwasseraustrag von Schwermetallen aus Deponien von Müllverbrennungsschlacken

Long‐term Assessment for the Leachate Release of Heavy Metals from Municipal Solid Waste Incineration Bottom Ash Monofills Municipal solid waste incineration (MSWI) bottom ash was investigated by chemical, mineralogical, and microbiological methods as well as leaching‐ and laboratory lysimeter tests. Compared to geological material bottom ash shows a high content of soluble salts, organic carbon, and heavy metals. The heavy metals are mainly bound in alloys and glas. Addition of oxic and acetic solutions quickly oxigenize the metal‐phases and alloys. Only fixation in newly formed phases like carbonates or hydroxides prevents heavy metal release till pH 7 in case of pH‐reduce. In the long‐term the acid buffer is reduced by the environmental acid input in combination with the release of buffering phases (mostly calcite). Internal acid producing processes like decay of organic matter or oxidation of sulfides are not important for the pH‐decrease. Cu, Ni, and Zn are first released between pH 7 and 6 (mainly Zn) and a second time at pH values below 5 (mainly Cu). Pb is significantly released at pH values below 5, Cr only at pH < 4. Mainly metals, alloys, and the rims of glas are destroyed by leaching. Phases like metal hydroxides (mainly Fe‐phases) or amorphous, water bearing Fe‐Al‐Si‐oxides are finally formed. Long‐term leaching by acetic fluids increases the total availability of heavy metals (except Cr) with increasing time. Kinetic effects including changing of metal binding forms seem to be responsible for this development. Within deposit conditions of limited gas exchange (closed system) the pH of the carbonate buffering zone can drop below pH 7 in case of very strong acid input and quickly cause an enhanced metal release. But in reality such a strong acid input is not to be expected. Calcite will buffer between pH 8 and 7 for a long time. Depending on the environmental conditions (water balance, acidity of rain) and landfill design (compaction, permeability, cover, thickness) it can take hundreds till thousands of years until metal release will start. The long‐term metal release of matter with an acid buffer like carbonates can be approximately determined only by short‐term tests with powder (e.g. pH_static tests at pH 4).     

Hillslope soil water flowpaths and the dynamics of roadside soil cation pools influenced by road deicers

Over the past 60 years, road deicers (i.e. road salt) have been applied to roadways in high latitudes to improve road conditions in winter weather. However, the dissolution of road deicers in highway runoff creates waters with high concentrations of sodium, which can mobilize soil metals via soil cation‐exchange reactions. While several studies have detailed the interactions of road salt‐rich solutions and surface and ground waters, less attention has been given to how local hydrologic flowpaths can impact the delivery of these solutions to near‐road soils. Between 2013 and 2014, soil water samples were collected from a roadside transect of lysimeter nests in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (USA). Soil water samples were analysed for metal concentrations and resulting data used to examine cation dynamics. While patterns in soil water calcium and magnesium concentrations follow patterns in soil water sodium concentrations, additional processes influence patterns in soil water potassium concentrations. Specifically, we observe the highest calcium and magnesium concentrations in the deepest lysimeters, suggesting divalent cations are mobilized to, and potentially accumulate in, deeper soil horizons. In contrast, soil water potassium concentrations do not follow this pattern. Additionally, in all examined elements (Ca, Mg, K, Na, and Cl), the timing of concentration peaks appears be influenced by a combination of both distance from the roadside and sampling depth. These relationships not only suggest that multiple soil water flowpaths interact with our study transect but also confirm that road salt plumes persist and migrate following the road salting season. Characterizing the interactions of sodium‐rich solutions and roadside soil cation pools clarifies our understanding of metal dynamics in the roadside environment. A deeper understanding of these processes is necessary to effectively restore and manage watersheds as high total dissolved solid solutions (e.g. road deicing melt, unconventional natural gas brines, and marginal irrigation water) continue to influence hydrological systems. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Modeling the influence of MgSO4 invariant points on multiphase reactive transport process during saline soil evaporation

In the present work, we modeled a laboratory experiment where a sand column saturated with a MgSO₄ solution is subject to evaporation. We used a compositional formulation capable of representing the effect of geochemistry on flow and transport for concentrated solutions under extreme dry conditions. The model accounts for the water sink/sources terms due to hydrated mineral dissolution/precipitation and the occurrence of invariant points, which prescribe the water activity. Results show that the occurrence of the invariant points at the top of the domain could affect the vapor flux at the column top and salt precipitation along the column. In fact, the invariant points occurrence could explain the spatial fluctuation on the salt precipitates formation. Results also suggest that the complex hydrochemical interactions occurring during soil salinization, including osmotic effects, are crucial not only to understand the salt precipitation, but also the evaporation rate.     

Electron transport and energy degradation in the ionosphere: evaluation of the numerical solution,comparison with laboratory experiments and auroral observations

Auroral electron transport calculations are a critical part of auroral models. We evaluate a numerical solution to the transport and energy degradation problem. The numerical solution is verified by reproducing simplified problems to which analytic solutions exist, internal self-consistency tests, comparison with laboratory experiments of electron beams penetrating a collision chamber, and by comparison with auroral observations, particularly the emission ratio of the N₂ second positive to N⁺ ₂ first negative emissions. Our numerical solutions agree with range measurements in collision chambers. The calculated N₂2P to N⁺ ₂1N emission ratio is independent of the spectral characteristics of the incident electrons, and agrees with the value observed in aurora. Using different sets of energy loss cross sections and different functions to describe the energy distribution of secondary electrons that emerge from ionization collisions, we discuss the uncertainties of the solutions to the electron transport equation resulting from the uncertainties of these input parameters.     

盐分及含水率对甘肃黑方台黄土强度的影响研究

文章以甘肃黑方台灌区黄土滑坡区黄土为研究对象,开展了滑坡区盐分调查及水土化学特征分析,进行了不同易溶盐含量及不同含水率条件下的重塑黄土三轴固结不排水剪切试验,探讨盐分及含水率对黄土强度的影响。结果表明：滑坡区土样中易溶盐含量范围为0.15%～4.55%,易溶盐主要是以Na₂SO₄和NaCl为主;水化学分析显示灌溉水入渗及溶滤台塬黄土中的可溶盐,经优势通道在坡脚以泉点渗出等方式排泄并富集;试样抗剪强度随易溶盐含量的增加而提高,随含水率的增加而降低;不同易溶盐及含水率条件下,抗剪强度参数黏聚力变化范围为4.2～57.1 kPa,内摩擦角变化范围为23.1°～33.5°,黏聚力对易溶盐及含水率的变化更敏感。     

土-结构相互作用效应对结构基底地震动影响的试验研究

利用土与结构动力相互作用振动台模型试验数据,通过各种试验工况下土层表面与基础表面加速度反应的比较,深入探讨了土与结构动力相互作用效应对高层建筑结构基底地震动的影响。从输入地震动频谱特性、输入地震动强度水平和上部结构动力特性3个方面详细分析了与SSI效应对高层建筑基底震动影响程度有关的一些因素。结果表明：SSI效应对高层建筑基底地震动的影响与输入地震波的动力特性有很大关系。在地震动的频谱成分方面,SSI效应对高层建筑基底地震动的影响主要体现为土层表面和基础表面在与输入地震动卓越频率相近处的频谱成分有较大差异;SSI效应对高层建筑基底地震动的影响程度随着输入加速度峰值水平的增加而减小;在某一特定地震波作用下,当上部结构的振动频率与地震地面运动的卓越频率相近时,SSI效应对高层建筑基底地震动的影响较为强烈。     

Seismic time‐lapse effects of solution salt mining – a feasibility study

This article addresses the question whether time‐lapse seismic reflection techniques can be used to follow and quantify the effects of solution salt mining. Specifically, the production of magnesium salts as mined in the north of the Netherlands is considered. The use of seismic time‐lapse techniques to follow such a production has not previously been investigated. For hydrocarbon production and CO₂ storage, time‐lapse seismics are used to look at reservoir changes mainly caused by pressure and saturation changes in large reservoirs, while for solution mining salt is produced from caverns with a limited lateral extent, with much smaller production volumes and a fluid (brine) replacing a solid (magnesium salt). In our approach we start from the present situation of the mine and then study three different production scenarios, representing salt production both in vertical and lateral directions of the mine. The present situation and future scenarios have been transformed into subsurface models that were input to an elastic finite‐difference scheme to create synthetic seismic data. These data have been analysed and processed up to migrated seismic images, such that time‐lapse analyses of intermediate and final results could be done. From the analyses, it is found that both vertical and lateral production is visible well above the detection threshold in difference data, both at pre‐imaging and post‐imaging stages. In quantitative terms, an additional production of the mine of 6 m causes time‐shifts in the order of 2 ms (pre‐imaging) and 4 ms (post‐imaging) and amplitude changes of above 20% in the imaged sections. A laterally oriented production causes even larger amplitude changes at the edge of the cavern due to replacement of solid magnesium salt with brine introducing a large seismic contrast. Overall, our pre‐imaging and post‐imaging time‐lapse analysis indicates that the effects of solution salt mining can be observed and quantified on seismic data. The effects seem large enough to be observable in real seismic data containing noise.     

考虑土与结构相互作用效应的结构减震控制大型振动台模型试验研究

本文设计并完成了考虑土与结构相互作用的结构减震控制大型振动台模型试验。通过对四种结构形式的对比试验，探讨了土与结构相互作用（ＳＳＩ）效应对结构地震反应的影响以及调谐质量阻尼器（ＴＭＤ）在刚性和柔性地基条件下对主体结构的减震效应。通过比较同一地震动作用下主体结构在刚性和柔性两种地基条件下的地震反应，可知：ＳＳＩ效应具有降低和提高结构减震控制效果的双重作用，其综合效果与输入地震动的频谱特性、加速度峰值大小有关。由于ＳＳＩ效应在结构地震反应中发挥着双重的作用，因而使得基于刚性地基假定下设计的ＴＭＤ减震控制系统在柔性地基条件下的控制效果不太理想，甚至会出现负面效应。本文还探讨了在柔性地基条件下影响结构减震控制效果的一些因素。     

Performance of ground penetrating radar in root detection and its application in root diameter estimation under controlled conditions

A plant is stabilized by its root system. In congested urban cities such as Hong Kong, ground trenching is frequently seen due to the installation of utility lines along the roadside. Soil nailing, which involves soil coring in slopes, is a common solution to improve the slope stability. However, both activities inevitably pose a risk to the integrity of any root systems present, and thus reduce the root anchorage. To prevent or minimize such damage, a careful design of the excavation/drilling location is of prime importance. Ground penetrating radar (GPR) provides a non-destructive method for locating roots by examining the contrast between the dielectric properties of the roots and the surrounding soil. To examine the performance of GPR and promote its use in Hong Kong, a test bed was prepared using local materials to create a controlled environment in which to conduct a series of systematic tests evaluating the performance of a 900 MHz GPR. The reflected radargrams were subject to the influence of the following factors: size and depth of roots, horizontal distance between roots, and contrast between the root and soil water content. Correlations between root size and a number of waveform parameters were also explored. Limiting values for root size, root embedded depth, horizontal separation distance between roots, and water content contrast between root and soil were obtained. A significant correlation was found between the root diameter and time travel parameter T ₂ (p<0.001, r=0.795). Because GPR root detection is highly site-specific, this study provides a local reference for GPR performance in the Hong Kong environment. The findings demonstrate that the 900 MHz GPR is applicable in Hong Kong for the detection of main roots.     

Konzepte zur Mobilitätsabschätzung von Schadstoffen in Boden- und Abfallmaterialien

Concepts for the Evaluation of Contaminant Mobility in Soil and Waste Materials Elution tests (S4, pH_stat, and SDS test) are presented, enabling the evaluation of the mobility of hydrophilic/hydrophobic and inorganic/organic contaminants in soil and waste materials. While elution tests for estimation of the mobilization potential of hydrophilic substances are performed following the pH_stat method, for hydrophobic species surfactant-containing eluents are used. The individual parameters of the elution process are selected assuming a "worst-case" scenario. In principle, because of economic reasons, detailed analytical investigations should be preceded by relevant screening tests.     

Schwermetallrückgewinnung aus ammoniumhaltigen Industrieabwässern mit Hilfe von Carbonsäureaustauschern

On a bench scale the treatment of electroplating effluents (ZnCl₂, NiCl₂, NH₄Cl, NH₃ and two polyether compounds) with Wofatit CA20 is investigated. If the capacity of the resin is utilized to a high degree for the heavy metal ions, the organic matter remains in the filtrate. The results are discussed with regard to the recovery and waste-disposal technology on a large scale.     

Spatial variation of salt-marsh organic and inorganic deposition and organic carbon accumulation: Inferences from the Venice lagoon,Italy

Salt marshes are ubiquitous features of the tidal landscape governed by mutual feedbacks among processes of physical and biological nature. Improving our understanding of these feedbacks and of their effects on tidal geomorphological and ecological dynamics is a critical step to address issues related to salt-marsh conservation and response to changes in the environmental forcing. In particular, the spatial variation of organic and inorganic soil production processes at the marsh scale, a key piece of information to understand marsh responses to a changing climate, remains virtually unexplored. In order to characterize the relative importance of organic vs. inorganic deposition as a function of space, we collected 33 shallow soil sediment samples along three transects in the San Felice and Rigà salt marshes located in the Venice lagoon, Italy. The amount of organic matter in each sample was evaluated using Loss On Ignition (LOI), a hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) treatment, and a sodium hypochlorite (NaClO) treatment following the H₂O₂ treatment. The grain size distribution of the inorganic fraction was determined using laser diffraction techniques. Our study marshes exhibit a weakly concave-up profile, with maximum elevations and coarser inorganic grains along their edges. The amount of organic and inorganic matter content in the samples varies with the distance from the marsh edge and is very sensitive to the specific analysis method adopted. The use of a H₂O₂+NaClO treatment yields an organic matter density value which is more than double the value obtained from LOI. Overall, inorganic contributions to soil formation are greatest near the marsh edges, whereas organic soil production is the main contributor to soil accretion in the inner marsh. We interpret this pattern by considering that while plant biomass productivity is generally lower in the inner part of the marsh, organic soil decomposition rates are highest in the better aerated edge soils. Hence the higher inorganic soil content near the edge is due to the preferential deposition of inorganic sediment from the adjacent creek, and to the rapid decomposition of the relatively large biomass production. The higher organic matter content in the inner part of the marsh results from the small amounts of suspended sediment that makes it to the inner marsh, and to the low decomposition rate which more than compensates for the lower biomass productivity in the low-lying inner zones. Finally, the average soil organic carbon density from the LOI measurements is estimated to be 0.044 g C cm⁻³. The corresponding average carbon accumulation rate for the San Felice and Rigà salt marshes, 132 g C m⁻² yr⁻¹, highlights the considerable carbon stock and sequestration rate associated with coastal salt marshes.     

Über die Entfernung von Schwermetallionen aus Betriebsabwässern durch Ultrafiltration. Teil 1: Grundlegende Erkenntnisse an Modellösungen unter Zusatz von Komplexbildnern

Fundamental experimental experience on the concentration of metal ions was gathered by ultrafiltration at 0.3 MPa pressure by using membranes with pores in a laboratory cell with stirrer. The potentiality of retention against the metal ions R and the stream density of filtration I_F were measured for model liquids of CuSO₄, NiSO₄, ZnSO₄ and AgNO₃. The experimental results involve the influence of the membran materials, the role of several tested additives for complex formation and pH, and the influence of strange electrolytes, respectively, on the membrane characteristics R and I_F.     

Simulations of water movement and solute transport through different soil texture configurations under negative‐pressure irrigation

This study examined the effects of different soil texture configurations on water movement and solute transport to provide a reliable scientific basis for the application of negative‐pressure irrigation (NPI) technology. HYDRUS‐2D was used to analyse water movement and solute transport under NPI. The main results are as follows: (a) HYDRUS‐2D can be used to simulate water movement and solute transport under NPI, as there was good agreement between the simulated and measured values for water contents, NaCl concentrations, cumulative water infiltration, and wetting distances in the horizontal and vertical directions; the Nash–Sutcliffe efficiency coefficients were in the range of 0.94–0.97. (b) Layered soils have obvious effects on water movement under NPI. With the emitter position in the loam layer, when a coarse texture of loamy sand was present below the loam layer (namely, L‐LS), irrigation water accumulated in the topsoil, and this led to an increase in evaporation compared with the homogeneous loam profile. However, fine texture silty loam or silty clay loam layers beneath the loam layer (namely, L‐SiL or L‐SiCL, respectively) was more conducive to water infiltration into the lower layer, and this increased the amount of water infiltration and simultaneously reduced the surface evaporation effectively. (c) Layered soils have obvious effects on solute transport under NPI, and salt accumulation will readily occur in the clay‐rich soil layer at the interface. The maximum soil salt accumulation of L‐LS occurred above the soil interface between the two soil layers with a value of 21.80 g/kg; however, for L‐SiCL and L‐SiL, the maximum salt accumulation occurred below the soil interface between the two soil layers, with values of 23.80 g/kg and 20.08 g/kg, respectively. (d) Interlayered soils showed remarkable changes in the water infiltration characteristics and salt‐leaching intensities under NPI, and the properties for the soil profile with a silty loam interlayer were better than those for the soil profile with a silty clay loam interlayer. The soil profile with a loamy sand interlayer had the lowest amount of water infiltration, which resulted in reductions of the salt‐leaching intensities. Thus, NPI is clearly not suitable for loamy sand soil. Overall, the results demonstrated that soil texture configurations affected water movement and solute transport under NPI. Therefore, careful consideration should be given to the use of NPI to achieve target soil water and solution conditions and reduce water loss.     

Neural network model for liquefaction potential in soil deposits using Turkey and Taiwan earthquake data

Simplified methods have been practiced by researchers to assess nonlinear liquefaction potential of soil. Derived from several field and laboratory tests, various simplified procedures such as stress-based, strain-based, Chinese criteria, etc. have been developed by utilizing case studies and undisturbed soil specimens. In order to address the collective knowledge built up in conventional liquefaction engineering, an alternative general regression neural network model is proposed in this paper.To meet this objective, a total of 620 sets of data including 12 soil and seismic parameters are introduced into the model. The data includes the results of field tests from the two major earthquakes that took place in Turkey and Taiwan in 1999 and some of the desired input parameters are obtained from correlations existing in the literature.The proposed GRNN model was developed in four phases, mainly: identification phase, collection phase, implementation phase, and verification phase. An iterative procedure was followed to maximize the accuracy of the proposed model. The case records were divided randomly into testing, training, and validation datasets.Generating a model that takes into account of 12 soil and seismic parameters is not feasible by using simplified techniques; however, the proposed GRNN model effectively explored the complex relationship between the introduced soil and seismic input parameters and validated the liquefaction decision obtained by simplified methods. The proposed GRNN model predicted well the occurrence/nonoccurrence of soil liquefaction in these sites. The model provides a viable tool to geotechnical engineers in assessing seismic condition in sites susceptible to liquefaction.     

A two‐dimensional model of hydraulic performance of stormwater infiltration systems

Stormwater infiltration systems are a popular method for urban stormwater control. They are often designed using an assumption of one‐dimensional saturated outflow, although this is not very accurate for many typical designs where two‐dimensional (2D) flows into unsaturated soils occur. Available 2D variably saturated flow models are not commonly used for design because of their complexity and difficulties with the required boundary conditions. A purpose‐built stormwater infiltration system model was thus developed for the simulation of 2D flow from a porous storage. The model combines a soil moisture–based model for unsaturated soils with a ponded storage model and uses a wetting front‐tracking approach for saturated flows. The model represents the main physical processes while minimizing input data requirements. The model was calibrated and validated using data from laboratory 2D stormwater infiltration trench experiments. Calibrations were undertaken using five different combinations of calibration data to examine calibration data requirements. It was found that storage water levels could be satisfactorily predicted using parameters calibrated with either data from laboratory soils tests or observed water level data, whereas the prediction of soil moistures was improved through the addition of observed soil moisture data to the calibration data set. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Simulation of soil–foundation–structure interaction of Hualien large-scale seismic test using dynamic centrifuge test

Understanding the soil–structure interaction (SSI) mechanism is crucial in the seismic design of nuclear power plant (NPP) containment systems. Although the numerical analysis method is generally used in seismic design, there is a need for experimental verification for the reliable estimation of SSI behavior. In this study a dynamic centrifuge test was performed to simulate the SSI behavior of a Hualien large-scale seismic test (LSST) during the Chi-Chi earthquake. To simulate the soil profile and dynamic soil properties of the Hualien site, a series of resonant column (RC) tests was performed to determine the model soil preparation conditions, such as the compaction density and the ratio of soil–gravel contents. The variations in the shear wave velocity (V_S) profiles of the sand, gravel, and backfill layers in the model were estimated using the RC test results. During the centrifuge test, the V_S profiles of the model were evaluated using in-flight bender element tests and compared with the in-situ V_S profile at Hualien. The containment building model was modeled using aluminum and the proper scaling laws. A series of dynamic centrifuge tests was performed with a 1/50 scale model using the base motion recorded during the Chi-Chi-earthquake. In the soil layer and foundation level, the centrifuge test results were similar to the LSST data in both the time and frequency domains, but there were differences in the structure owing to the complex structural response as well as the material damping difference between the concrete in the prototype and aluminum in the model. In addition, as the input base motion amplitude was increased to a maximum value of 0.4g (prototype scale), the responses of the soil and containment model were measured. This study shows the potential of utilizing dynamic centrifuge tests as an experimental modeling tool for site specific SSI analyses of soil–foundation–NPP containment system.     

Methods of metal release assessment in soil water at anoxic sites

Metal mobility at contaminated sites can be assessed by soil water investigations or by leaching tests. Leaching tests are usually carried out in open contact with the atmosphere disregarding possible changes of redox conditions. This can affect the original metal speciation and distribution, particularly when anoxic samples are investigated. In this study, the applicability of common leaching tests (the German S4 test (S4), ammonium nitrate extraction (AmmN), and saturation soil extraction (SSE)) is tested for the assessment of zinc release from sulfide‐bearing flotation residues of a former ore mine. Results are compared to soil solution samples obtained by centrifugation and suction cups. The influence of sample storage on S4 leaching test results is investigated in a long‐term study to assess oxidation kinetics. Within the first 200 days the release of zinc increases with a slope of 0.1 mmol kg^–1 d^–1 or 6.0 mg kg^–1 d^–1, respectively. Since oxidation of the sulfide‐bearing samples leads to a significant overestimation of metal release, a feasible modification for the conduction of leaching tests for anoxic material is proposed where oxidation is prevented efficiently. The modified SSE is found to be the only of the tested leaching procedures, which can be recommended for the assessment of current soil water concentrations at anoxic sites if direct investigation of the soil water is impossible due to technical reasons.     

Metal Retention Experiments for the Design of Soil‐Mix Technology Permeable Reactive Barriers

Soil‐mix technology is effective for the construction of permeable reactive barriers (PRBs) for in situ groundwater treatment. The objective of this study was to perform initial experiments for the design of soil‐mix technology PRBs according to (i) sorption isotherm, (ii) reaction kinetics and (iii) mass balance of the contaminants. The four tested reactive systems were: (i) a granular zeolite (clinoptilolite–GZ), (ii) a granular organoclay (GO), (iii) a 1:1‐mixture GZ and model sandy clayey soil and (iv) a 1:1:1‐mixture of GZ, GO and model soil. The laboratory experiments consisted of batch tests (volume 900 mL and sorbent mass 18 g) with a multimetal solution of Pb, Cu, Zn, Cd and Ni. For the adsorption experiment, the initial concentrations ranged from 0.01 to 0.5 mM (2.5 to 30 mg/L). The maximum metal retention was measured in a batch test (300 mg/L for each metal, volume 900 mL, sorbent mass 90–4.5 g). The reactive material efficiency order was found to be GZ > GZ‐soil mix > GZ‐soil‐GO mix > GO. Langmuir isotherms modelled the adsorption, even in presence of a mixed cations solution. Adsorption was energetically favourable and spontaneous in all cases. Metals were removed according to the second order reaction kinetics; GZ and the 1:1‐mix were very similar. The maximum retention capacity was 0.1–0.2 mmol/g for Pb in the presence of clinoptilolite; for Cu, Zn, Cd and Ni, it was below 0.05 mmol/g for the four reactive systems. Mixing granular zeolite, organoclay and model soil increased the chemisorption. Providing that GZ is reactive enough for the specific conditions, GZ can be mixed to obtain the required sorption. Granular clinoptilolite addition to soil is recommended for PRBs for metal contaminated groundwater.     

Epigenetic salt accumulation and water movement in the active layer of central Yakutia in eastern Siberia

Observations of soil moisture and salt content were conducted from May to August at Neleger station in eastern Siberia. Seasonal changes of salt and soil moisture distribution in the active layer of larch forest (undisturbed) and a thermokarst depression known as an alas (disturbed) were studied. Electric conductivity EC_e of the intact forest revealed higher concentrations that increased with depth from the soil surface into the active layer and the underlying permafrost: 1 mS cm^?1 at 1·1 m, to 2·6 mS cm^?1 at 160 cm depth in the permafrost. However, a maximum value of 5·4 mS cm^?1 at 0·6 m depth was found in the dry area of the alas. The concentration of ions, especially Na⁺, Mg²⁺, Ca²⁺, SO₄^2? and HCO₃^? in the upper layers of this long‐term disturbed site, indicates the upward movement of ions together with water. A higher concentration of solutes was found in profiles with deeper seasonal thawing. The accumulation of salts in the alas occurs from spring through into the growing season. The low concentration of salt in the surface soil layers appears to be linked to leaching of salts by rainfall. There are substantial differences between water content and electric conductivity of soil in the forest and alas. Modern salinization of the active layer in the alas is epigenetic, and it happens in summer as a result of spring water collection and high summer evaporation; the gradual salt accumulation in the alas in comparison with the forest is controlled by the annual balance of water and salts in the active layer. Present climatic trends point to continuous permafrost degradation in eastern Siberia increasing the risk of surface salinization, which has already contributed to changing the landscape by hindering the growth of forest. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.