Articles tagged with Permafrost
Researchers found that arctic thermokarst lakes switch from a net radiative warming to a net cooling climate effect about 5000 years ago. The lakes' carbon uptake rates are among the highest in the world due to the fertilization of mosses and other plants by thawing permafrost.
Researchers discover new permafrost forming around Twelvemile Lake in Alaska, but predict it won't last beyond the end of this century. The formation is attributed to willow shrubs providing shade and cooling the surrounding soil.
A new study found that permafrost thawing leads to increased release of methane and carbon dioxide into the atmosphere via plants. The research suggests that this could accelerate global warming trends by up to five times more carbon in the atmosphere.
A new study found that growing season gains from permafrost thaw are outweighed by increased winter respiration, leading to enhanced carbon losses. The research suggests that the Arctic's stored carbon could reach catastrophic levels within a century if permafrost continues to thaw.
Researchers have demonstrated that moss can come back to life and continue to grow after over 1,500 years frozen in Antarctic ice. This finding provides exciting new insight into the survival of life on Earth, with implications for the potential survival of complex life forms in permafrost or ice.
A team of researchers used DNA testing to analyze preserved plant remains from the permafrost, finding that large ancient mammals roamed areas with abundant forbs. This discovery provides new insights into how these massive animals survived extreme cold conditions.
Researchers found that while vegetation growth in the Arctic boosts carbon release, it's not enough to offset the losses from thawing permafrost. The study simulated warming of Arctic permafrost and measured carbon release from the soil and microbes.
Researchers found that the East Siberian Arctic Shelf is releasing at least 17 teragrams of methane into the atmosphere each year, doubling previous estimates. The rapid release of methane from the seafloor threatens to exacerbate global warming and create a positive feedback loop.
Researchers have found that thawing permafrost in the Canadian Arctic increases methane emissions by 83% through small shallow ponds, which could accelerate global warming.
Scientists report nearly double coastal erosion speed in Eastern Siberia due to rising summer temperatures and Arctic sea ice retreat. The study reveals a significant increase in wave-driven erosion, with the island of Muostakh at risk of disappearing.
Researchers at Louisiana State University found that microorganisms can repair their DNA even under freezing conditions, challenging previous assumptions about their survival in permafrost. This discovery has implications for the search for life on Mars and other icy worlds in the solar system.
Researchers explored cathodic protection's applicability in permafrost regions, finding it may offer long-term protection when combined with high-performance coatings. The study aimed to overcome high electrical resistance frozen phases.
A UA-led international collaboration studies how microbes release greenhouse gases as they access nutrients in thawing permafrost soils. The team aims to explain the relationships between microbial processes and climate change, with potential implications for solving the 'big biology problem' in climate change.
A new study from the University of Copenhagen reveals that permafrost thawing can lead to a substantial release of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. The findings, based on 12-year measurements, show that water content in the soil is crucial for predicting the effect of permafrost thawing.
Researchers documented an acceleration in coastal Antarctic permafrost melt rates, rising to 10 times the historical average. The change is attributed to increased sunlight due to changes in weather patterns, leading to 'retrogressive thaw slumps' and potential dramatic increases in melting if Antarctica warms as predicted.
A 700,000-year-old horse fossil found in the Yukon permafrost has provided new insight into equine evolution, revealing a genome that falls within a line of modern horses and Przewalski's Horses. The study also showed episodes of severe demographic fluctuations in horse populations linked to major climatic changes.
A bacterium discovered in the Canadian High Arctic can survive at –15°C, the coldest temperature ever recorded for bacterial growth. This microbe adapts to extreme conditions by modifying its cell structure and producing molecular antifreeze, providing insights into the possibility of life on Mars.
Evidence from Siberian caves suggests a 1.5°C temperature rise could cause substantial permafrost thawing, releasing massive amounts of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere and damaging ecosystems and human infrastructure.
A recent study found that Arctic permafrost's ancient carbon is released into the atmosphere at a rate 40% faster than previously thought when exposed to sunlight. Sunlight increases bacterial conversion of carbon into carbon dioxide, which accelerates climate warming.
A UN report warns that thawing permafrost could significantly amplify global warming due to the release of potent greenhouse gases like methane and carbon dioxide. The report notes that permafrost covers nearly a quarter of the northern hemisphere, holding 1,700 gigatonnes of carbon.
A Wayne State University researcher is part of a national project to find accessible methane hydrate resources, which could provide untapped economic and energy security. The two-year grant aims to improve computer simulation programs for predicting gas production from these natural ice-lattice structures.
New research reveals Mercury's surface composition is dominated by minerals high in magnesium and sulfur, differing from other planets. In contrast, African dust forms red soils in Bermuda through a complex interplay of local and global climate processes. The origin of these unique features remains a topic of ongoing scientific study.
Scientists study Mercury's surface chemistry and geological history, finding distinctive mineral patterns dominated by magnesium and sulfur. Meanwhile, researchers in Bermuda investigate the origin of red soils, discovering that African dust may be a key factor in their formation.
A new study reveals how climate change affects permafrost conditions across northern Canada, with varying factors influencing the thawing process. The research highlights the need for Canadians to adapt their northern infrastructure to accommodate changing ground temperatures.
Scientists link ancient global warming events to thawing permafrost, revealing a significant source of carbon in Polar Regions. This discovery highlights the vulnerability of frozen soils to climate warming and the potential for a positive feedback loop amplifying future warming.
Researchers propose that thawing permafrost 50 million years ago released massive amounts of carbon into the atmosphere, triggering global warming events. The study suggests a simple new mechanism for past global warming events and highlights the potential for similar feedback loops in modern times.
A new study reveals that a sand layer plays a crucial role in protecting the underlying permafrost in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. The research found that thick sand layers near the permafrost table reduced ground temperatures, while thin sand layers allowed for some thawing.
Researchers have created high-resolution permafrost maps using air temperature and elevation data. These maps estimate 22 million square kilometers of permafrost, covering about one-sixth of the world's exposed land surface. The maps also reveal an index indicating the probability of permafrost in different areas.
Researchers from UVic will discuss climate change impacts on Canada's water supply, explore the intersection of neuroscience and pop culture, and address energy efficiency solutions. Climate modeling indicates rapid permafrost melting could lead to significant loss of high-latitude wetlands.
Permafrost thaw could release approximately the same amount of carbon as deforestation, but with a greater impact due to methane emissions. The study estimates that by 2100, carbon released from permafrost will be 1.7-5.2 times larger than previous models.
DNA barcoding technology is being deployed to identify quack herbal medicines, reveal ancient Arctic life and expose what eats what in nature. The technique has sparked US Congressional hearings by exposing widespread 'fish fraud' and will be used to halt agricultural and forestry pests at borders.
The EU project PAGE21 aims to better understand the release of carbon from Arctic soils and its effects on the climate system. By deploying standardized measurement methods and collecting high-quality data records, researchers hope to improve the accuracy of global climate models.
Researchers discovered a novel microbe that produces methane, a potent greenhouse gas, in Arctic permafrost. The microbe's genome revealed genes for nitrogen fixation, making it a potentially key player in the Earth's carbon cycle.
A new computer modeling study suggests that permafrost could release between 25 and 85 petagrams of carbon into the atmosphere by 2100, with a best estimate of 62 petagrams. This release would be equivalent to an additional 7.5 years of global anthropogenic emissions.
A University of Florida study shows that Arctic tundra fires can release significant amounts of soil-bound carbon into the atmosphere, potentially accelerating global climate warming. The 2007 Anaktuvuk River fire in Alaska released 2.1 million metric tons of carbon, equivalent to twice the amount emitted by the city of Miami in a year.
Scientific data show alarming changes in Arctic snow, water, ice, and permafrost, posing risks to human populations and the world at large. Climate change could also open up new areas for mineral and oil exploration, but this must be balanced against the enormous challenges it poses.
New research report shows dramatic changes in Arctic climate, including thawing permafrost and reduced snow cover. The carbon stored in permafrost is estimated to be double the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere today.
A new study estimates that up to two-thirds of Earth's permafrost will disappear by 2200, unleashing massive amounts of carbon into the atmosphere. The team predicts a release of roughly 190 billion tons of carbon, equivalent to half of the amount released since the Industrial Age.
Researchers detected large areas of water ice in the lunar south pole using NASA's Diviner instrument. This discovery suggests that these regions are suitable for future human missions, as subsurface water ice is more stable and protected from radiation.
A new study on decomposing permafrost in arctic Sweden will investigate the impact of warming temperatures on greenhouse gas emissions. Researchers hope to understand the feedback loop between thawing permafrost and accelerating global warming.
A team of scientists has found that permafrost temperatures have warmed by as much as two degrees Celsius over the past 20-30 years. The expansion of the monitoring network allows for large-scale analysis and potential early warnings for policymakers on climate change impacts in permafrost regions.
Researchers detected significant changes in chemical tracers in stream water, indicating increased thaw depth of permafrost. The study suggests that coastal erosion and greenhouse gas releases are likely outcomes of thawing permafrost.
A research team led by University of Alaska Fairbanks scientists found that the East Siberian Arctic Shelf is leaking large amounts of methane into the atmosphere, comparable to the entire world's oceans. The release of methane from this region could trigger abrupt climate warming due to its potency as a greenhouse gas.
Researchers found that the East Siberian Arctic Shelf is releasing massive amounts of methane into the atmosphere, comparable to the entire world's oceans. This could trigger abrupt climate warming due to methane's potent greenhouse gas properties.
Researchers measure permafrost retreat with natural hummocks called 'palsas.' The James Bay region's permafrost has retreated 130 km north in 50 years due to climate change. Pallas will disappear if warming trend continues.
New research reveals that permafrost in the Arctic contains over 1.5 trillion tons of frozen carbon, exceeding previous estimates by a factor of two. Thawing of this carbon can lead to massive releases of greenhouse gases, further exacerbating climate change.
Researchers found that tundra plant growth may initially keep up with rising CO2, but ultimately can't soak up excess carbon from thawing permafrost. This could lead to a significant increase in atmospheric carbon, highlighting the urgent need to address human-caused emissions.
Researchers from the University of Alaska Fairbanks have found a strong link between Arctic land-surface temperatures and increased tundra greenness. The study used satellite data and ground-based studies to examine trends in sea ice, land temperature, and vegetation using a Normalized Difference Vegetation Index.
Recently published research by University of Alaska Fairbanks scientists found a previously undocumented layer of organic matter on top of and in permafrost, which can release carbon into the atmosphere as temperatures warm
Researchers estimate 1,672 billion metric tons of carbon locked up in permafrost, more than double the 780 billion tons in the atmosphere today. The thawing process could release significant amounts of greenhouse gases, supplementing human-influenced emissions.
The thawing of permafrost is expected to release a significant amount of carbon dioxide, potentially doubling current atmospheric levels. This could lead to a substantial increase in greenhouse gas emissions and further accelerate global warming.
A new study by NCAR researchers warns that rapid sea ice loss in the Arctic could lead to accelerated land warming and permafrost thaw, posing significant risks to sensitive ecosystems and human infrastructure. The study finds that a period of abrupt sea-ice loss could initiate significant emissions of greenhouse gases from Arctic soils.
A team of scientists identified lakes as a new likely source of prehistoric methane, which could have contributed up to 87% of the early Holocene methane spike. The findings suggest that large releases from lakes may occur again in the future with global warming.
Research by McMaster University suggests peat and vegetation can slow permafrost melting, preserving northern regions. However, local disturbances like fires can accelerate thaw.
Permafrost thaw accelerates rates of melting in northern ecosystems, leading to complex impacts on greenhouse gas fluxes from peatlands. While initial degradation may result in increased carbon sequestration, high methane emissions will eventually outweigh this reduction, posing a significant challenge for climate change mitigation.
The Three Gorges Dam in China is shrinking the Yangtze delta due to sediment retention. Meanwhile, a new model suggests that massive methane releases from Arctic permafrost are unlikely in this century. Satellite data also reveals complex flood wave patterns in the Amazon River, which can improve hazard identification. Additionally, hi...
Romanovsky will establish a network of permafrost observatories in North America and Russia to measure temperatures and monitor permafrost changes. The project aims to create a standardized system for monitoring permafrost and measuring temperatures, similar to Alaska's existing data set.
Researchers estimate that Siberian lakes are releasing five times more methane than previously thought, increasing the present estimate of northern wetland emissions by 10-63%. Methane is being released from thawing permafrost in the form of ancient dead plant material, acting as a 'time bomb' for climate warming.
As permafrost melts in North Siberia, carbon sequestered for 40,000 years is released as methane, exacerbating global warming. Methane emissions from thaw lakes have increased estimates by 10-63%, highlighting the critical role of Northern wetlands in atmospheric methane release.
Scientists have discovered that thawed loess permafrost in Siberia and Alaska contains a large amount of carbon, with approximately 500 Gt of carbon stored. This finding is significant as it suggests that the thawing of this type of permafrost could release substantial amounts of carbon into the atmosphere over the next century.