Arctic Rivers at Risk of Losing Permafrost and Releasing Carbon Due to Global Warming

Permafrost is a layer of frozen soil that covers about a quarter of the northern hemisphere. It has been there for thousands of years, but it is now thawing rapidly due to climate change.

This has profound implications for the Earth's ecosystems, climate, and human societies. In this article, we will explore the science, the impacts, and the solutions of permafrost.

The Science of Permafrost

Permafrost forms when the ground temperature stays below freezing for at least two consecutive years. It can be found in the Arctic regions of Siberia, Canada, Greenland, and Alaska, as well as in high-altitude areas like the Tibetan Plateau and the Rocky Mountains. Permafrost can be several meters thick and contain a lot of ice, organic matter, and even ancient microbes.

Permafrost is not uniform, but rather has different patterns and features depending on the local conditions. For example, some permafrost areas have thermokarst lakes, which are formed when the ice melts and the ground collapses, creating pools of water.

These lakes can accelerate the thawing process and release greenhouse gases. Other permafrost areas have polygonal networks, which are formed by cracks in the frozen soil that create geometric shapes.

These cracks can also allow water and heat to penetrate the permafrost and affect its stability.

Permafrost is sensitive to changes in the climate, especially the air temperature.

The Arctic is warming twice as fast as the rest of the world, and this is causing the permafrost to thaw at an alarming rate. Scientists estimate that up to 70% of the near-surface permafrost could disappear by 2100.

This would have major consequences for the environment and the people who live on or near permafrost.

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The Impacts of Permafrost Thaw

Permafrost thaw has multiple impacts on the natural and human systems. One of the most significant impacts is the release of carbon dioxide and methane, which are potent greenhouse gases that contribute to global warming.

Permafrost contains about 1,500 gigatons of carbon, which is twice as much as the atmosphere.

As the permafrost thaws, the organic matter that was frozen for millennia becomes available for decomposition by bacteria, which produce carbon dioxide or methane depending on the oxygen level.

Scientists estimate that permafrost could release up to 240 gigatons of carbon by 2100, which would increase the global temperature by 0.3°C.

Another impact of permafrost thaw is the alteration of the hydrology and the ecology of the Arctic. Permafrost acts as a barrier that prevents water from infiltrating the ground, and thus shapes the drainage patterns and the river systems of the region.

When permafrost thaws, the water can seep into the soil, creating wetlands, ponds, and lakes, or drain away, creating drylands and erosion.

These changes affect the vegetation, the wildlife, and the biodiversity of the Arctic, as well as the availability and quality of water resources.

A third impact of permafrost thaw is the damage to the infrastructure and the livelihoods of the people who live in the permafrost zone.

Many buildings, roads, pipelines, and other structures are built on or near permafrost, and rely on its stability and strength. When permafrost thaws, the ground becomes unstable and uneven, causing the infrastructure to crack, sink, or collapse.

This can pose serious risks to the safety, the health, and the economy of the people who depend on these facilities. Moreover, permafrost thaw can also expose ancient pathogens, such as anthrax or plague, that could infect humans or animals.

The Solutions for Permafrost Thaw

Permafrost thaw is a complex and urgent problem that requires coordinated and comprehensive solutions.

The most effective solution is to reduce the greenhouse gas emissions that cause global warming and permafrost thaw in the first place.

This can be achieved by switching to renewable energy sources, improving energy efficiency, and adopting low-carbon lifestyles.

However, this solution alone may not be enough to prevent permafrost thaw, as some of it is already inevitable due to the inertia of the climate system.

Therefore, other solutions are needed to adapt to the impacts of permafrost thaw and to mitigate its feedbacks.

These include monitoring and modeling the permafrost dynamics, improving the design and the maintenance of the infrastructure, restoring and conserving the ecosystems, and supporting the resilience and the adaptation of the communities.

These solutions require collaboration and innovation among scientists, engineers, policymakers, and local stakeholders.

Permafrost is a vital component of our planet and our future. It holds a treasure of information, resources, and challenges that we need to understand and address. By protecting the permafrost, we are protecting ourselves and our future generations.

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