Emergent biogeochemical risks from Arctic permafrost degradation

• Published in: Nature climate change Vol. 11; no. 10; pp. 809 - 819
• Main Authors: Miner, Kimberley R., D’Andrilli, Juliana, Mackelprang, Rachel, Edwards, Arwyn, Malaska, Michael J., Waldrop, Mark P., Miller, Charles E.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London Nature Publishing Group UK 01.10.2021; Nature Publishing Group
• Subjects: 631/158/2165/2457; 704/106/47; 704/106/694/2739/2807; 704/172/169/895; 704/47; Anthropogenic factors; Biodegradation; Cascading; Climate Change; Climate Change/Climate Change Impacts; Cryosphere; Earth and Environmental Science; Ecological function; Environment; Environmental Law/Policy/Ecojustice; Environmental risk; Frozen ground; Hazard identification; Human influences; Melting; Microorganisms; Permafrost; Radioactive materials; Radioactive wastes; Review Article; Risk; Soil degradation; Thawing; Wildlife; Arctic region
• ISSN: 1758-678X; 1758-6798
• DOI: 10.1038/s41558-021-01162-y

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. Thawing permafrost in the Arctic may release microorganisms, chemicals and nuclear waste that have been stored in frozen ground and by cold temperatures. This Review discusses the current state of potential hazards and their risks under warming to identify prospective threats to the Arctic.