Current rates and mechanisms of subsea permafrost degradation in the East Siberian Arctic Shelf

Natalia Shakhova (), Igor Semiletov, Orjan Gustafsson, Valentin Sergienko, Leopold Lobkovsky, Oleg Dudarev, Vladimir Tumskoy, Michael Grigoriev, Alexey Mazurov, Anatoly Salyuk, Roman Ananiev, Andrey Koshurnikov, Denis Kosmach, Alexander Charkin, Nicolay Dmitrevsky, Victor Karnaukh, Alexey Gunar, Alexander Meluzov and Denis Chernykh
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Natalia Shakhova: National Tomsk Research Polytechnic University
Igor Semiletov: National Tomsk Research Polytechnic University
Orjan Gustafsson: and the Bolin Centre for Climate Research, Stockholm University
Valentin Sergienko: Institute of Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences
Leopold Lobkovsky: P.P. Shirshov Oceanological Institute, Russian Academy of Sciences
Oleg Dudarev: National Tomsk Research Polytechnic University
Vladimir Tumskoy: Moscow State University
Michael Grigoriev: Melnikov Permafrost Institute, Russian Academy of Sciences
Alexey Mazurov: National Tomsk Research Polytechnic University
Anatoly Salyuk: Pacific Oceanological Institute, Russian Academy of Sciences
Roman Ananiev: P.P. Shirshov Oceanological Institute, Russian Academy of Sciences
Andrey Koshurnikov: Moscow State University
Denis Kosmach: Pacific Oceanological Institute, Russian Academy of Sciences
Alexander Charkin: National Tomsk Research Polytechnic University
Nicolay Dmitrevsky: P.P. Shirshov Oceanological Institute, Russian Academy of Sciences
Victor Karnaukh: Pacific Oceanological Institute, Russian Academy of Sciences
Alexey Gunar: Moscow State University
Alexander Meluzov: P.P. Shirshov Oceanological Institute, Russian Academy of Sciences
Denis Chernykh: Pacific Oceanological Institute, Russian Academy of Sciences

Nature Communications, 2017, vol. 8, issue 1, 1-13

Abstract: Abstract The rates of subsea permafrost degradation and occurrence of gas-migration pathways are key factors controlling the East Siberian Arctic Shelf (ESAS) methane (CH4) emissions, yet these factors still require assessment. It is thought that after inundation, permafrost-degradation rates would decrease over time and submerged thaw-lake taliks would freeze; therefore, no CH4 release would occur for millennia. Here we present results of the first comprehensive scientific re-drilling to show that subsea permafrost in the near-shore zone of the ESAS has a downward movement of the ice-bonded permafrost table of ∼14 cm year−1 over the past 31–32 years. Our data reveal polygonal thermokarst patterns on the seafloor and gas-migration associated with submerged taliks, ice scouring and pockmarks. Knowing the rate and mechanisms of subsea permafrost degradation is a prerequisite to meaningful predictions of near-future CH4 release in the Arctic.

Date: 2017
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DOI: 10.1038/ncomms15872

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