Arctic permafrost contains large amounts of carbon, which can be released into the atmosphere as methane gas as permafrost thaws due to rising temperatures.
What is permafrost?: Definition of permafrost and its physical characteristics.
Causes of permafrost thaw: Understanding the different factors that contribute to the thawing of permafrost.
Effects of permafrost thaw: The impacts of warming permafrost on the environment, infrastructure, and human activity.
Methane release: How warming permafrost can lead to the release of methane gas, a potent greenhouse gas.
Carbon storage: Role of permafrost as a carbon storage and the impact of permafrost thaw on the carbon cycle.
Coastal erosion: The effects of permafrost thaw on coastal erosion and sea level rise.
Tundra ecosystems: How permafrost thaw affects the ecology of tundra ecosystems.
Human adaptation: Strategies for adapting to permafrost thaw and its effects on human activity.
Policy implications: Policy responses to permafrost thaw and its effects on global climate change mitigation.
Permafrost monitoring: Methods for monitoring permafrost thaw and its impact on various factors such as methane release and carbon storage.
Thermal erosion: This type of thaw occurs when the permafrost melts from the bottom, causing the ground to become unstable and causing land to collapse.
Thawing of Moist and Organic Soils: Some areas of permafrost are comprised of organic material borne by a very thin layer of frozen soil. Due to global warming, these areas are experiencing melting that releases carbon dioxide and methane which were stored there, contributing to even more climate change.
Discontinuous permafrost thaw: This type refers to thawing that happens in patches or breaks in the permafrost layer. This type of thaw can be caused by changes in the vegetation cover, wind patterns, and drainage conditions.
Seasonal surface melting: In high latitude areas, permafrost only thaw on the surface during summer months. This is called seasonal surface melting. With climate change, the duration of these warm periods is increased, and the depth of thaw increase too.
Thaw lakes: Thaw lakes form when permafrost thaws and the ground subsides, creating depressions that fill with water. These lakes contribute to climate change when they release carbon and methane.
Coastal erosion: Coastal erosion occurs when permafrost-containing shorelines thaw and erode, leading to a loss of land and changes in marine habitats.
Talik formation: Taliks formed below a layer of permafrost due to the heat of the earth. The areas of permafrost under them might experience higher temperatures, leading to more thawing and destabilization.
Instability of infrastructure: Buildings, roads, pipelines erect on permafrost can suddenly become unstable as the underlying ground melts.