Video: Soil Microbes, Permafrost and Global Warming

This 4 minute video adapted from KUAC-TV and the Geophysical Institute at the University of Alaska, Fairbanks does a nice job of explaining how soil microbes in Arctic permafrost are contributing to the carbon cycle throughout the year and not just during the summer.  This video also describes how these microbes are part of a positive feedback loop: as more permafrost thaws, more microbes are active, releasing more carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, accelerating warming - the role of shrubs and snow in this feedback loop is also addressed.

This teaching resources has been approved by the Climate Literacy and Energy Awareness Network and is accompanied by a background essay as well as discussion questions.

Environmental scientist Rose Cory, PhD, is investigating how sunlight accelerates microbial activity in thawing permafrost. To learn more click here.

What we are learning about thermokarsts

Tremendous stores of organic carbon have been frozen in permafrost soils for thousands of years. A thermokarst failure is generated when these ice-rich, permanently-frozen soils are warmed and thawed, the ice melts, and the soil collapses and either creates an erosional hole in the tundra or a landslide if the slope is sufficient. An environmental chemist at UNC-Chapel Hill, Dr. Rose Cory, is studying thermokarsts in the Alaskan Arctic. Specifically, she is investigating the role of sunlight in stimulating carbon dioxide release from permafrost soil carbon. Dr. Cory's findings have revealed that thermokarsts produce significant amounts of carbon dioxide and represent a previously unrecognized store of carbon that is currently not included in future climate predictions.

Rose Cory, Ph.D. standing at a gully erosion thermokarst (hand on soil ice and thermokarst water sampled at bottom of picture).

Dr. Cory's research provides the first evidence that the respiration of previously frozen soil carbon will be amplified by reactions with sunlight (photochemical processes) and their effects on bacteria.  

To learn more about her latest research findings visit:

Slumping Arctic Soils Produce Significant Amounts of CO2.
Science NOW. Feb 11, 2013.

Surface exposure to sunlight stimulates CO2 release from permafrost soil carbon in the Arctic. Proceedings of the National Academies of Science. Feb 11, 2013.

Also available is a 5 minute video describing Dr. Cory's research and showing life in the field in the Alaskan Arctic  – this video features graduate students conducting research as well.

Trouble in the Tundra (article about Thermokarsts)
Video showing a Thermokarst (35 second video)

Walking in a thermokarst (29 second video)