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Emergent biogeochemical risks from Arctic permafrost degradation

Author

Listed:
  • Kimberley R. Miner

    (California Institute of Technology)

  • Juliana D’Andrilli

    (Louisiana Universities Marine Consortium)

  • Rachel Mackelprang

    (California State University at Northridge)

  • Arwyn Edwards

    (Aberystwyth University)

  • Michael J. Malaska

    (California Institute of Technology)

  • Mark P. Waldrop

    (US Geological Survey)

  • Charles E. Miller

    (California Institute of Technology)

Abstract

The Arctic cryosphere is collapsing, posing overlapping environmental risks. In particular, thawing permafrost threatens to release biological, chemical and radioactive materials that have been sequestered for tens to hundreds of thousands of years. As these constituents re-enter the environment, they have the potential to disrupt ecosystem function, reduce the populations of unique Arctic wildlife and endanger human health. Here, we review the current state of the science to identify potential hazards currently frozen in Arctic permafrost. We also consider the cascading natural and anthropogenic processes that may compound the impacts of these risks, as it is unclear whether the highly adapted Arctic ecosystems have the resilience to withstand new stresses. We conclude by recommending research priorities to address these underappreciated risks.

Suggested Citation

  • Kimberley R. Miner & Juliana D’Andrilli & Rachel Mackelprang & Arwyn Edwards & Michael J. Malaska & Mark P. Waldrop & Charles E. Miller, 2021. "Emergent biogeochemical risks from Arctic permafrost degradation," Nature Climate Change, Nature, vol. 11(10), pages 809-819, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcli:v:11:y:2021:i:10:d:10.1038_s41558-021-01162-y
    DOI: 10.1038/s41558-021-01162-y
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    Cited by:

    1. Moritz Langer & Thomas Schneider Deimling & Sebastian Westermann & Rebecca Rolph & Ralph Rutte & Sofia Antonova & Volker Rachold & Michael Schultz & Alexander Oehme & Guido Grosse, 2023. "Thawing permafrost poses environmental threat to thousands of sites with legacy industrial contamination," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-11, December.
    2. Elizaveta S. Sharaborova & Taisia V. Shepitko & Egor Y. Loktionov, 2022. "Experimental Proof of a Solar-Powered Heat Pump System for Soil Thermal Stabilization," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(6), pages 1-11, March.

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