Study refines predictions of greenhouse gasses from thawing permafrost

Permafrost in the Arctic (Credit: Brocken Inaglory, Wikimedia Commons)

New research from the Centre for Permafrost at the University of Copenhagen has shown that thawing might result in the release of more carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases sequestered in the soil than previously known, according to a release from the university.

The 12-year study examined permafrost samples from Greenland, Norway and Canada.

Researchers concluded that water concentrations in the permafrost play a major role in the rate that gases are released. The more saturated the permafrost is after thawing, the longer it takes for gases to be released.

The study could be instrumental in helping scientists better predict climate change brought on by elevated greenhouse gas emissions.

Image: Permafrost in the Arctic (Credit: Brocken Inaglory, Wikimedia Commons)