Ancient life has resurfaced from a military tunnel deep within Alaskan permafrost. Some of the microbes found there have been frozen for 40,000 years and are now coming back to life.
Tristan Caro, a microbiologist at the University of Colorado Boulder, says these microbes are not simply dead. They can actively break down organic matter and release carbon dioxide.
As the Earth warms due to fossil fuel use, Arctic permafrost—frozen soil and ice beneath a quarter of the Northern Hemisphere—is melting. This thaw releases greenhouse gases, intensifying climate change. When the microbes awaken, they will consume decaying matter, contributing even more to emissions.
Sebastian Kopf, a geomicrobiologist at CU Boulder, points out that this thawing phenomenon raises important questions about its ecological impact. There’s a lot of carbon stored in the permafrost, and understanding its effects on our climate is crucial.
The researchers collected samples from the US Army Corps of Engineers’ Permafrost Tunnel Research Facility, which goes over 100 meters deep. They carefully warmed these samples to simulate Alaskan summer conditions under climate change. Initially, the microbes grew sluggishly, with some replicating just one in every 100,000 cells daily. However, after six months, they sprang to life, suggesting that there might be a lag before emissions increase significantly after thawing.
Experts warn that prolonged warmer summers in the Arctic could create a dangerous cycle, leading to more greenhouse gas emissions. A study published in the Journal of Geophysical Research: Biogeosciences highlights that as the climate continues to warm, even deeper and older permafrost might start to melt.
In 2022, research showed that about 40% of Northern Hemisphere permafrost was at risk of thawing by the end of the century. This could impact carbon release significantly.
Understanding these microbes and their behavior is vital for predicting the future of our climate. The changes happening now in the Arctic could set off a chain reaction that we are only beginning to understand.
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