Characterisation of Three Regimes of Collapsing Arctic Ice Complex Deposits on the SE Laptev Sea Coast using Biomarkers and Dual Carbon IsotopesShow others and affiliations
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2014 (English)In: Permafrost and Periglacial Processes, ISSN 1045-6740, E-ISSN 1099-1530, Vol. 25Article in journal (Refereed) Published
Abstract [en]
Arctic amplification of climate warming is intensifying the thaw and coastal erosion of the widespread and carbon-rich Siberian Ice Complex Deposits (ICD). Despite the potential for altering long-term carbon dynamics in the Arctic, the susceptibility of organic carbon (OC) to degradation as the ICD thaw is poorly characterised. This study identifies signs of OC degradation in three Siberian ICD regimes of coastal erosion through elemental, isotopic and molecular analyses. The degree of erosion appears to determine the extent of degradation. The moisture-limited and beach-protected ICD bluff near Buor-Khaya Cape, characterised by thermokarst mounds (baydzherakhs), represents a dormant regime with limited ongoing degradation. Conversely, the more exposed ICD scarps on eroding riverbanks (Olenek Channel, Lena Delta) and coastal slopes (Muostakh Island) showed more pronounced signs of ongoing OC decay. Different parameters suggest that degradation can partially explain the shift of the OC signature with C-14 age in the thawing ICD. Exposure time, degree of erosion, slope gradient and moisture conditions appear to be key factors determining the degradation propensity of OC in exposed ICD. These field results document the lability of OC in ICD upon thaw and illustrate the potential for transferring old OC into the rapidly cycling atmosphere-biosphere carbon pools. Copyright (C) 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
2014. Vol. 25
Keywords [en]
Ice Complex Deposits thermal degradation isotopic-molecular markers terrestrial organic-matter east-siberian sea permafrost carbon northeastern siberia climate-change shelf waters old carbon erosion vulnerability release Physical Geography Geology
Research subject
SWEDARCTIC 2008, ISSS-08
Identifiers
URN: urn:nbn:se:polar:diva-1927DOI: 10.1002/ppp.1815OAI: oai:DiVA.org:polar-1927DiVA, id: diva2:810361
Note
ISI Document Delivery No.: AP7CV Times Cited: 1 Cited Reference Count: 64 Sanchez-Garcia, L. Vonk, J. E. Charkin, A. N. Kosmach, D. Dudarev, O. V. Semiletov, I. P. Gustafsson, O. Vonk, Jorien/H-5422-2011 Far Eastern Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences; Swedish Research Council; US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration; Russian Foundation of Basic Research; Nordic Council of Minister (Arctic Co-Op); Nordic Council of Minister (TRI-DEFROST programmes); Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation; Swedish Polar Research Secretariat; Swedish Royal Academy of Sciences; EU Marie Curie grant; Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research (NWO) (Rubicon); Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research (NWO) (Veni) This work is framed within the International Siberian Shelf Study Program, supported by the Far Eastern Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, the Swedish Research Council, the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the Russian Foundation of Basic Research, the Nordic Council of Ministers (Arctic Co-Op and TRI-DEFROST programmes), the Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation and the Swedish Polar Research Secretariat. O. G., L. S-G. and J. E. V. acknowledge an Academy Research Fellow grant from the Swedish Royal Academy of Sciences, a EU Marie Curie grant and grants from the Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research (NWO) (Rubicon and Veni), respectively. I. P. S. acknowledges grants from the US National Science Foundation and the U.S.'s National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research (OAR) Climate Program Office. L. S-G. also acknowledges support from the University of Zaragoza for funding her present position. I. S., O. D., D. K. and A. C. acknowledge the Government of the Russian Federation (grant #2013-220-04-157). 1 Wiley-blackwell Hoboken Geography, Physical; Geology
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