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Ice sheets matter for the global carbon cycle

Author

Listed:
  • J. L. Wadham

    (University of Bristol)

  • J. R. Hawkings

    (Florida State University
    German Research Centre for Geosciences GFZ)

  • L. Tarasov

    (Memorial University)

  • L. J. Gregoire

    (University of Leeds)

  • R. G. M. Spencer

    (Florida State University)

  • M. Gutjahr

    (GEOMAR)

  • A. Ridgwell

    (University of California)

  • K. E. Kohfeld

    (Simon Fraser University)

Abstract

The cycling of carbon on Earth exerts a fundamental influence upon the greenhouse gas content of the atmosphere, and hence global climate over millennia. Until recently, ice sheets were viewed as inert components of this cycle and largely disregarded in global models. Research in the past decade has transformed this view, demonstrating the existence of uniquely adapted microbial communities, high rates of biogeochemical/physical weathering in ice sheets and storage and cycling of organic carbon (>104 Pg C) and nutrients. Here we assess the active role of ice sheets in the global carbon cycle and potential ramifications of enhanced melt and ice discharge in a warming world.

Suggested Citation

  • J. L. Wadham & J. R. Hawkings & L. Tarasov & L. J. Gregoire & R. G. M. Spencer & M. Gutjahr & A. Ridgwell & K. E. Kohfeld, 2019. "Ice sheets matter for the global carbon cycle," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 10(1), pages 1-17, December.
  • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:10:y:2019:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-019-11394-4
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-019-11394-4
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    Cited by:

    1. Javier Lopez-Simon & Marina Vila-Nistal & Aleksandra Rosenova & Daniele Corte & Federico Baltar & Manuel Martinez-Garcia, 2023. "Viruses under the Antarctic Ice Shelf are active and potentially involved in global nutrient cycles," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-10, December.
    2. Junjie Wu & Gesine Mollenhauer & Ruediger Stein & Peter Köhler & Jens Hefter & Kirsten Fahl & Hendrik Grotheer & Bingbing Wei & Seung-Il Nam, 2022. "Deglacial release of petrogenic and permafrost carbon from the Canadian Arctic impacting the carbon cycle," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-11, December.
    3. Szabolcs Blazsek & Alvaro Escribano, 2022. "Robust Estimation and Forecasting of Climate Change Using Score-Driven Ice-Age Models," Econometrics, MDPI, vol. 10(1), pages 1-29, February.
    4. Jing Wei & Laurent Fontaine & Nicolas Valiente & Peter Dörsch & Dag O. Hessen & Alexander Eiler, 2023. "Trajectories of freshwater microbial genomics and greenhouse gas saturation upon glacial retreat," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-12, December.
    5. Camilla S. Andresen & Nanna B. Karlsson & Fiammetta Straneo & Sabine Schmidt & Thorbjørn J. Andersen & Emily F. Eidam & Anders A. Bjørk & Nicolas Dartiguemalle & Laurence M. Dyke & Flor Vermassen & Id, 2024. "Sediment discharge from Greenland’s marine-terminating glaciers is linked with surface melt," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-10, December.

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