About the mechanism of formation of massive ice beds (critical analysis of segregation mechanism)
Genesis of large massive ice beds which are widely present on the northern plains of Russia is discussed. Underground ice is a source of all kinds of palaeogeographic information; therefore understanding of its genesis is of particular importance. Massive ice beds are an object of study since the 1960-s but their genesis is still a debatable point. There are several often controversial concepts, from the buried remnants of the ancient glacial cover to the direct submarine formation. According to an earlier concept massive ice beds are formed in the process of epigenetic ground freezing as a result of upward migration of ground water from the deep layers to the freezing level. The so-called segregation mechanism supported by molecular links of water in the ground is a principal one for formation of layered permafrost with texture-forming ice. The article presents a critical analysis of the mechanism in terms of its capability to form heavy ice layers. A lot of experimental data are available now and their analysis proves that molecular links could not support large-distance water migration to the freezing surface. Thus, no long-term constant inflow of water which is a prerequisite of a large ice body formation is possible. The migration flow covers just small distances and is several times interrupted during the ground freezing leading to the formation of dehydration zones. Therefore the mechanism is capable of forming individual ice sub-layers (schliers) within the permafrost rather than massive ice beds.