Manganese in Arctic Waters as a Signal of Permafrost Thaw

Water Resources Research, December 9

Rapidly increasing atmospheric temperatures in the Russian Arctic has led to increased extensive permafrost thaw in the region, with the depth of thaw going ever-deeper into lower permafrost layers.  This can cause the accelerated release of certain chemical substances, previously frozen in the permafrost, into neighboring waters such as Russia’s Arctic rivers. While most elements stay at least temporarily held in the deepest layers of permafrost during the thawing season, concentrating there; manganese flows more freely into nearby surface waters and rivers. This metal then might be used to measure the extent of thaw during summer and autumn. Future warming is expected to intensify this connection between soil metals, streams, and rivers.

https://agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1029/2020WR028269

Compiled by Amy Imdieke.