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Current rates and mechanisms of subsea permafrost degradation in the East Siberian Arctic Shelf

Author

Listed:
  • Natalia Shakhova

    (National Tomsk Research Polytechnic University
    International Arctic Research Center, University of Alaska Fairbanks)

  • Igor Semiletov

    (National Tomsk Research Polytechnic University
    International Arctic Research Center, University of Alaska Fairbanks
    Pacific Oceanological Institute, Russian Academy of Sciences)

  • Orjan Gustafsson

    (and the Bolin Centre for Climate Research, Stockholm University)

  • Valentin Sergienko

    (Institute of Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences)

  • Leopold Lobkovsky

    (P.P. Shirshov Oceanological Institute, Russian Academy of Sciences)

  • Oleg Dudarev

    (National Tomsk Research Polytechnic University
    Pacific Oceanological Institute, Russian Academy of Sciences)

  • Vladimir Tumskoy

    (Moscow State University
    Institute of Geography, Russian Academy of Sciences
    University of Tyumen)

  • Michael Grigoriev

    (Melnikov Permafrost Institute, Russian Academy of Sciences)

  • Alexey Mazurov

    (National Tomsk Research Polytechnic University)

  • Anatoly Salyuk

    (Pacific Oceanological Institute, Russian Academy of Sciences)

  • Roman Ananiev

    (P.P. Shirshov Oceanological Institute, Russian Academy of Sciences)

  • Andrey Koshurnikov

    (Moscow State University)

  • Denis Kosmach

    (Pacific Oceanological Institute, Russian Academy of Sciences)

  • Alexander Charkin

    (National Tomsk Research Polytechnic University
    Pacific Oceanological Institute, Russian Academy of Sciences)

  • Nicolay Dmitrevsky

    (P.P. Shirshov Oceanological Institute, Russian Academy of Sciences)

  • Victor Karnaukh

    (Pacific Oceanological Institute, Russian Academy of Sciences)

  • Alexey Gunar

    (Moscow State University)

  • Alexander Meluzov

    (P.P. Shirshov Oceanological Institute, Russian Academy of Sciences)

  • Denis Chernykh

    (Pacific Oceanological Institute, Russian Academy of Sciences)

Abstract

The rates of subsea permafrost degradation and occurrence of gas-migration pathways are key factors controlling the East Siberian Arctic Shelf (ESAS) methane (CH4) emissions, yet these factors still require assessment. It is thought that after inundation, permafrost-degradation rates would decrease over time and submerged thaw-lake taliks would freeze; therefore, no CH4 release would occur for millennia. Here we present results of the first comprehensive scientific re-drilling to show that subsea permafrost in the near-shore zone of the ESAS has a downward movement of the ice-bonded permafrost table of ∼14 cm year−1 over the past 31–32 years. Our data reveal polygonal thermokarst patterns on the seafloor and gas-migration associated with submerged taliks, ice scouring and pockmarks. Knowing the rate and mechanisms of subsea permafrost degradation is a prerequisite to meaningful predictions of near-future CH4 release in the Arctic.

Suggested Citation

  • Natalia Shakhova & Igor Semiletov & Orjan Gustafsson & Valentin Sergienko & Leopold Lobkovsky & Oleg Dudarev & Vladimir Tumskoy & Michael Grigoriev & Alexey Mazurov & Anatoly Salyuk & Roman Ananiev & , 2017. "Current rates and mechanisms of subsea permafrost degradation in the East Siberian Arctic Shelf," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 8(1), pages 1-13, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:8:y:2017:i:1:d:10.1038_ncomms15872
    DOI: 10.1038/ncomms15872
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    Cited by:

    1. Birgit Wild & Natalia Shakhova & Oleg Dudarev & Alexey Ruban & Denis Kosmach & Vladimir Tumskoy & Tommaso Tesi & Hanna Grimm & Inna Nybom & Felipe Matsubara & Helena Alexanderson & Martin Jakobsson & , 2022. "Organic matter composition and greenhouse gas production of thawing subsea permafrost in the Laptev Sea," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-12, December.

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