AGU journal highlights - 25 January 2006
Research highlights the impact of aerosols on ocean temperature, with manmade aerosols delaying warming by several decades. Ship emissions also make clouds brighter and higher near European harbors.
Permafrost
Articles tagged with Permafrost
Most of Arctic's near-surface permafrost to thaw by 2100
A study predicts that up to 90% of the Northern Hemisphere's permafrost will thaw by 2100, threatening ecosystems and climate change. Permafrost holds significant carbon emissions, which could accelerate climate change.
SourceNational Center for Atmospheric Research/University Corporation for Atmospheric Research·JournalGeophysical Research Letters·DateDec 19, 2005
UC faculty members break new ground while treading gently on the Alaskan tundra
A University of Cincinnati team is interviewing Inupiaq elders to better understand and predict future environmental changes, combining western science with traditional knowledge. The research focuses on climate and environment on Alaska's North Slope, with unique findings on the impacts of global warming.
NSF funds Panikov's Alaskan Tundra Microbial Observatory project
The project aims to present evidence for the existence of ultra-psychrophiles in sub-freezing environments like Alaskan permafrost. The research has broader impacts, including more reliable climate predictions and development of efficient biocatalysts for below freezing temperatures.
Permafrost warming a challenge to Tibetian train route, says U. of Colorado researcher
Permafrost thawing poses significant challenges to the Tibetan train route, as predicted climate change and construction activity can cause soil melting. Crushed rock insulation helps mitigate this effect by minimizing heat intake and promoting cooling over time.
Thawing subarctic permafrost increases greenhouse gas emissions
The study found significant increases in methane emissions from thawing permafrost in Abisko, Sweden, potentially accelerating climate warming. Methane emissions have risen by up to 60% since 1970, with the ecosystem's sensitivity to temperature changes being rapid and dynamic.
Portable CT scanner joins hunt for alternative energy
Researchers have developed a portable CT scanner that enables real-time, on-site analysis of gas hydrates in core samples, revolutionizing the search for alternative energy sources. The innovative system uses a medical CT scanner and reduces its size to analyze hundreds of x-ray scans into one high-resolution image.
Frozen 'lake' beneath Antarctica ideal to test sterile drilling techniques
Scientists are exploring the potential of Antarctica's subglacial lake to test sterile drilling techniques, which could also be used on Mars. The permafrost site is 2.8 kilometers below South Pole Station and contains a frozen mixture of ice and sediment.
SourceUniversity of California - Berkeley·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJul 1, 2002
The search for life on Mars begins in Siberia
Researchers investigate microorganisms found in Siberia's permafrost, glaciers, and polar ice caps, which could hold clues to life on Mars. The study aims to develop techniques for exploring icy worlds and understanding the potential for life beyond Earth.
Winter Science: New Permafrost Data Suggests Implications For Climate-Change Predictions, UD Prof Says
Researchers have found a decade-to-decade variability in the depth of summer thawing in certain permafrost regions. By 2050, the active layer over large parts of the Northern Hemisphere could grow thicker due to climate trends.