Evaluations of subsurface flow for reconstructions of climate change using borehole temperature and isotope data in Kamchatka

Abstract Subsurface temperature is affected by heat advection due to groundwater flow and surface temperature changes. To evaluate their effects, it was implemented the measurements of temperature–depth profile (T–D profile) and the continuous monitoring of soil temperature in the southern part of Kamchatka which has not affected by human activity. Additionally, stable isotopic compositions of surface water and groundwater were analyzed. T–D profile and stable isotopic compositions show groundwater flow system is differ from the shallow aquifer to the deep aquifer. In the shallow aquifer, T–D profile suggests the existence of upward groundwater flux. On the other hand, the annual variation of soil temperature is divided into the large variation period (VP) and the stable period (SP) by the magnitude of daily and seasonal variation. VP and SP correspond to the summer and the winter season, respectively, and it considers that the difference between VP and SP is caused by the effect of snow cover. Therefore, the T–D profile is affected by not only upward groundwater flux but also the surface warming particularly in the summer season (VP).