Physically-based model of heat and water transfer in frozen soil and its parameterization by basic soil data

A physically-based model of the hydrothermal regime of frozen soil has been developed. This model describes the process of coupled heat and moisture transfer through homogeneous, unsaturated frozen soil and accounts for the influence of phase changes on water flow. The process is formulated as one-dimensional partial differential equations, which are solved by an implicit, finite difference scheme. The model parameters are formulated through the water retention, hydraulic conductivity and freezing point depression curve of frozen soil, which, in turn, have been determined using the basic soil characteristics available from soil surveys. The model has been tested on the basis of both laboratory and field measurements. The results obtained have demonstrated an ability of the model to predict, without intensive calibration procedure, snowmelt runoff losses for infiltration.