Research subject Permafrost-biogeochemistry-climate Interactions

The international collaboration Circum-Arctic Sediment Carbon Database (CASCADE) curates data from the entire Arctic Ocean on organic carbon, nitrogen, carbon isotopes, and biomarkers. The vision for CASCADE is to be expanded by other components, organic contaminants, more biomarkers, sediment physical properties and sediment cores.

Will the ice continue to disappear at an ever-increasing rate as the exposed ocean surface absorbs increasing amounts of solar radiation? Or might conditions become progressively more favorable for biological activity and associated cloud-formation, decreasing the amount of solar-radiation received at the surface?

Plants can accelerate soil decomposition near their roots, which can increase soil CO2 release, but also nitrogen availability and thereby plant productivity. NITROPRIME will quantify the impact of this complex interplay on the Arctic CO2 balance.

Strong acidification of the Siberian Arctic Ocean limits future CO2 uptake and threatens marine food webs in the region, and is likely connected to permafrost thaw.

Arctic warming increases CO2 release from permafrost soils and CO2 uptake by plants. Plants can additionally enhance soil CO2 release near roots – the rhizosphere priming effect. PRIMETIME studies the impact of priming on the Arctic CO2 balance.