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Arctic's River Runoff Triggers CO2 Release
The Arctic's status as a significant carbon reservoir faces a stark revelation as new findings illuminate the complex interplay between river runoff, thawing permafrost, and the region's ability to absorb and release CO2.
The Arctic is now releasing more carbon dioxide (CO2) than it absorbs due to thawing permafrost and carbon-rich runoff from Canada's Mackenzie River. Photo: Tasnim News Agency
Recent research suggests that the Arctic, known as a crucial carbon sink, is now releasing more carbon dioxide (CO2) than it absorbs due to thawing permafrost and carbon-rich runoff from Canada's Mackenzie River.
The study delves into scientists' use of advanced computer modeling to analyze rivers like the Mackenzie, which flows into the Beaufort Sea in the Arctic.
Elevated temperatures in the Arctic, including in the Mackenzie River and its delta, have led to increased melting and thawing, intensifying the discharge of carbon and sediment into the Beaufort Sea.
This critical region marks the endpoint of the Mackenzie River's thousand-mile journey from Alberta, functioning as a conveyor belt for minerals and organic and inorganic materials that ultimately drain into the Beaufort Sea.
The dissolved carbon and sediment create a complex mixture, with some of the carbon released into the atmosphere through natural processes.
While experts previously considered the southeastern Beaufort Sea a moderate CO2 sink, recent uncertainties stemming from limited data prompted closer investigation.
To address this, scientists employed the ECCO-Darwin model, integrating decades' worth of ocean observations collected by satellite and sea-based instruments from 2000 to 2019.
Findings from researchers in France, the US, and Canada revealed that heightened river discharge triggered substantial CO2 outgassing in the southeastern Beaufort Sea.
This led to an annual net CO2 release of 0.13 million metric tons, akin to emissions from 28,000 gasoline-powered cars per year, fluctuating with warmer months and reduced sea ice coverage.
Lead author Clément Bertin of Littoral Environnement et Sociétés in France highlighted the significance of understanding coastal peripheries and rivers' contribution to the Arctic carbon cycle through their model.
The study underscores the Arctic's rapid warming, altering its ecosystems and impacting the CO2 balance. While some changes induce more CO2 outgassing, others facilitate greater CO2 absorption, like increased river flow flushing organic matter into the ocean and phytoplankton exploiting reduced sea ice for photosynthesis, capturing atmospheric CO2.
These transformations in the Arctic, experiencing a climate shift faster than any other region, remain a focal point for scientists. Understanding the ocean's role as a significant carbon sink, absorbing nearly half of fossil fuel emissions, is crucial in monitoring environmental changes. (Tasnim News Agency)
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