捆绑SM社区

News

Melting permafrost in arctic ponds: An unfolding factor for climate change

One of the ponds sampled for this study. Photo by Peter Douglas
Published: 14 February 2024

Article by: Yejin Lee, The Tribune听

"Peter Douglas, an assistant professor in 捆绑SM社区鈥檚 Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, and his team recently published a听research paper听on greenhouse gas emissions from tundra ponds in northern Canada, aiming to understand one of the most important environmental processes for predicting future climate shifts.听

The study focuses on small ponds in the arctic that are formed by the thawing of听permafrost鈥攁 permanently frozen layer under Earth鈥檚 surface. These ponds are known for emitting greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide (CO2) and methane (CH4), but the specific sources of these gases remain poorly understood.听

The researchers investigated how erosion caused by thawing permafrost, especially at the edges of these ponds, influences greenhouse gas emissions. This cycle of thawing, erosion, and emission may form a positive feedback loop for climate warming,听although this has yet to be studied thoroughly."听

Read The Tribune article

Read the original study

Back to top