image: This is an aerial view of a thermokarst near the Toolik Field Station, 150 miles north of the Arctic Circle. Thawing of ice rich permafrost resulted in the collapse of the ground surface. view more
Credit: Photograph by Tamara K. Harms, July 2009
Fairbanks, Alaska—University of Alaska Fairbanks researcher Vladimir Romanovsky is one of four scientists who authored a report released today by the United Nations Environmental Programme.
The report, "Policy Implications of Warming Permafrost," seeks to highlight the potential hazards of carbon dioxide and methane emissions from warming permafrost, which have not thus far been included in climate-prediction modeling. The report notes that permafrost covers almost a quarter of the northern hemisphere and contains 1,700 gigatonnes of carbon—twice that currently in the atmosphere—and could significantly amplify global warming should thawing accelerate as expected.
When permafrost thaws, previously frozen organic material begins to decompose, which releases carbon, in the form of methane and carbon dioxide, into the atmosphere. In some areas, permafrost forms a cap over gaseous methane deep underground. As that continuous permafrost cap thaws, it can develop holes that allow methane to vent into the atmosphere. Methane is important in the global climate picture because it is a potent greenhouse gas. It is more than 20 times more effective at trapping atmospheric heat than carbon dioxide.
Romanovsky is a permafrost researcher at the UAF Geophysical Institute. His recent work includes leading an effort to describe the thermal state of high-latitude permafrost as part of the International Polar Year. The work of the international team, which included Romanovsky, more than doubled the size of the previously existing permafrost monitoring network in the Arctic and subarctic.
ADDITIONAL CONTACTS: Vladimir Romanovsky, 907-474-7459 or veromanovsky@alaska.edu. Amy Hartley, GI information officer, at 907-474-5823 or amy.hartley@gi.alaska.edu.
NOTE TO EDITORS: The UNEP's full press release and photos are available online at www.uafnews.com. Romanovsky is available for interviews after 4:30 p.m. USA eastern time. Video clips of Romanovsky discussing the report's findings and more photos are available for download. Visit this headline on www.uafnews.com for FTP site access.