Parts of the analyses have been carried out in the laboratories of the Russian Scientific Arctic Expedition on Spitsbergen Archipelago (RAE-S) Barentsburg Station. Gravimetric moisture content (ice content) was measured by weighing samples before and after drying at 50°C to relate the weight loss to the total weight of dry samples, expressed as weight percentage (wt%). Hydrochemical analyses of sedimentary permafrost samples was undertaken after water extraction. The material was dried and sieved at 1 mm. About 20 g of the sediment were suspended in 100 ml de-ionised water and filtered through 0.45 µm nylon mesh within 3 minutes after stirring.

0 stands for n.d.