融化的北极永久冻土向海洋释放大量古老碳，但最新研究表明这一过程对气候变暖的影响可能小于预期。[1]由阿尔弗雷德·韦格纳研究所和不来梅大学海洋环境科学中心的研究人员通过分析加拿大赫歇尔岛附近的海底沉积物岩芯发现，来自永久冻土的古老碳大部分被埋存在海底，仅约10%被微生物转化为温室气体。[1]研究采集了赫歇尔岛沿海约50年的沉积物样本，这表明海底微生物倾向于分解新鲜的海洋碳而非永久冻土来源的古老碳。[1]
根据研究估算，北极陆地永久冻土生态系统含有约1300吉吨有机碳，而海洋沉积物和河三角洲另含400吉吨。[1]目前每年约0.02吉吨碳进入海洋，预计到2100年这一数字可能增加70至150%。[1]研究成果已发表于《自然地球科学》期刊，国际"Arctic Pulse"科学活动计划于2027年进行后续观测。[1]
Researchers analyzing seafloor sediment cores collected near Canada's Herschel Island have found that most of the ancient carbon released into the ocean from thawing Arctic permafrost is buried on the seabed rather than converted into greenhouse gases.[1] According to the study, only approximately 10% of the organic carbon in seafloor sediments is transformed by microbes into greenhouse gases.[1] This suggests that the climate impact of thawing permafrost may be smaller than scientists previously anticipated, as seabed microorganisms tend to decompose fresh marine carbon rather than the ancient carbon derived from permafrost.[1]
The Arctic terrestrial permafrost ecosystem contains roughly 1,300 gigatons of organic carbon, while ocean sediments and river deltas hold an additional 400 gigatons.[1] Currently, approximately 0.02 gigatons of carbon enter the ocean annually, though this flux is projected to increase by 70 to 150 percent by 2100.[1] The research team, led by Dr. Manuel Ruben from the Alfred Wegener Institute and the University of Bremen's Center for Marine Environmental Sciences, examined sediment cores spanning approximately 50 years from the Herschel Island coastal region.[1] The findings were published in Nature Earth Sciences with the DOI: 10.1038/s41561-026-02060-8.[1] An international follow-up observation campaign called "Arctic Pulse" is planned for 2027 to continue monitoring these processes.[1]