Permafrost catchments in transition: hydrological controls on carbon cycling and greenhouse gas budgets
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Aberdeen
Department Name: Sch of Geosciences
Abstract
The Arctic is undergoing rapid climatic change, with dramatic consequences for the 'Frozen World' (the 'cryosphere'), including reductions in the depth, extent and duration of sea ice, and seasonal snow cover on land, retreat of ice sheets/glaciers, and melting of permafrost ("ground that remains at or below 0 degrees C for at least two consecutive years"). This is important not only for local and regional ecosystems and human communities, but also for the functioning of the entire earth system. Evidence is growing that organic matter frozen in permafrost soils (often for many millennia) is now thawing, making it available for decomposition by soil organisms, with the release of carbon dioxide (CO2) and methane (CH4), both greenhouse gases (GHGs), as by-products. A major concern now is that, because permafrost soils contain 1672 petagrams (1 Pg = 1 billion tonnes) of organic carbon (C), which is about 50% of the total global below-ground pool of organic C, and permafrost underlies ~ 25% (23 million km2) of the N hemisphere land surface, a melting-induced release of GHGs to the atmosphere from permafrost soils could result in a major acceleration of global warming. This is called a 'positive biogeochemical feedback' on global change; in other words, an unintentional side-effect in the global C cycle and climate system.
Unfortunately, the interacting biological, chemical and physical controls on CO2 and CH4 emissions from permafrost (and melting permafrost) environments to the atmosphere are the subject of much speculation because the scientific community does not know enough about the interactions between C and water cycling in permafrost systems. Warmer and drier soils may release more CO2, while warmer/wetter soils might release more CH4. Permafrost thawing also causes changes in the way water flows though the landscape (because frozen ground if often impermeable to water), and some areas may become drier, while others wetter. How the relative proportions of CO2 and CH4 emissions change, and their absolute amount, is critical for the overall 'global warming potential' (GWP) because these two gases have different potency as GHGs. Release of C from soils into freshwaters also needs to be taken into account because down-stream 'de-gassing' and decomposition of organic materials also influences releases of CO2 and CH4 from freshwater, or delivery of C to lakes/oceans. All-in-all, predicting the GWP of permafrost regions is scientifically challenging, and the interactions between the water (hydrological) and C cycles are poorly known.
In this project we recognise the key role that hydrological processes play in landscape-scale C fluxes in arctic and boreal regions. In permafrost catchments in NW Canada (including areas where permafrost is known to be thawing) we will measure the capture of C from the atmosphere (through photosynthesis), its distribution in plants and soils, and the biological, physical and chemical controls of C transport and delivery from soils to freshwaters, and ultimately to the atmosphere as CO2 and CH4. In essence we wish to 'close the C cycle'. Field-based measurements of key processes in the water and C cycles, including geochemical tracer and state-of-the-art C, hydrogen and oxygen isotope approaches, will be linked by computer modelling. The project team, together with partners in Canada, the US and UK, is in a unique position to link the water and C cycles in permafrost environments, and we will deliver essential scientific knowledge on the potential consequences of climate warming, and permafrost thawing, for GHG emissions from northern high latitudes. Both for local peoples directly dependent on arctic tundra/boreal forest ecosystems for their livelihoods and cultural identity, and for the global community who must respond to, and anticipate, potential consequences of climate and environmental change, this project will represent a significant step forward in understanding/predictive capacity.
Unfortunately, the interacting biological, chemical and physical controls on CO2 and CH4 emissions from permafrost (and melting permafrost) environments to the atmosphere are the subject of much speculation because the scientific community does not know enough about the interactions between C and water cycling in permafrost systems. Warmer and drier soils may release more CO2, while warmer/wetter soils might release more CH4. Permafrost thawing also causes changes in the way water flows though the landscape (because frozen ground if often impermeable to water), and some areas may become drier, while others wetter. How the relative proportions of CO2 and CH4 emissions change, and their absolute amount, is critical for the overall 'global warming potential' (GWP) because these two gases have different potency as GHGs. Release of C from soils into freshwaters also needs to be taken into account because down-stream 'de-gassing' and decomposition of organic materials also influences releases of CO2 and CH4 from freshwater, or delivery of C to lakes/oceans. All-in-all, predicting the GWP of permafrost regions is scientifically challenging, and the interactions between the water (hydrological) and C cycles are poorly known.
In this project we recognise the key role that hydrological processes play in landscape-scale C fluxes in arctic and boreal regions. In permafrost catchments in NW Canada (including areas where permafrost is known to be thawing) we will measure the capture of C from the atmosphere (through photosynthesis), its distribution in plants and soils, and the biological, physical and chemical controls of C transport and delivery from soils to freshwaters, and ultimately to the atmosphere as CO2 and CH4. In essence we wish to 'close the C cycle'. Field-based measurements of key processes in the water and C cycles, including geochemical tracer and state-of-the-art C, hydrogen and oxygen isotope approaches, will be linked by computer modelling. The project team, together with partners in Canada, the US and UK, is in a unique position to link the water and C cycles in permafrost environments, and we will deliver essential scientific knowledge on the potential consequences of climate warming, and permafrost thawing, for GHG emissions from northern high latitudes. Both for local peoples directly dependent on arctic tundra/boreal forest ecosystems for their livelihoods and cultural identity, and for the global community who must respond to, and anticipate, potential consequences of climate and environmental change, this project will represent a significant step forward in understanding/predictive capacity.
Planned Impact
The proposed research will impact directly upon a range of key beneficiaries. We will use our existing contacts to contribute to the development of the stakeholder engagement strategy for the wider NERC Arctic Research Programme. Specifically, we aim to (1) enhance the profile of UK Arctic research through collaboration with the wider scientific/policy-maker communities in both the UK and Canada, (2) support outreach activities on the consequences of change to those dependent on the Arctic environment; in particular, economic and societal impact on the local and regional communities, and (3) promote a wider understanding of the local through to global implications of change in the northern latitudes within schools and the wider public through public engagement in science activities. Specific exemplars of beneficiaries we will actively target include: UK and Canadian government departments and their relevant agencies. The tangible benefits will be improved modelling, and hence more robust outputs and understanding, leading to stronger evidence-based policy decisions. In the UK these stakeholders will include the Met Office and Department for Energy and Climate Change. In Canada the principle beneficiary will be Environment Canada (EC), which is mandated to preserve the natural environment. Internationally the main route to dissemination to other governments is through IPCC and its scientific evidence base. For example, Co-I Smith and the Met Office Hadley Centre are developing the Joint UK Land Environment Simulator (JULES) model, for which the ECOSSE model (used in this project), forms the basis of the modelling of soil C, N and GHG fluxes.
The existing working relationship between Project Partners and the Met Office will ensure that new understanding generated by the project will be incorporated into these models, and provide evidence for further policy development. Key direct benefits, in terms of improvement in models and their parameterisation and development, will accrue over the timescale of the life of the proposed project and ca. 12-24 months following its completion (i.e. direct impacts of very high relevance on a short timescale). For example, the IPCC Fifth Assessment report, for which one of our team members (Smith) is a convening lead author, is currently being drafted and is due for completion in 2014. Work from this project will be of direct relevance to WGI, which addresses the physical science basis of climate change.
Key international beneficiaries (further raising the UK influence in the climate change arena) include Environment Canada and the United States Geological Survey (USGS). For example, we will work with the Great Rivers Observatory Project (USGS) to enhance understanding of circum-arctic and circum-boreal affects of permafrost thaw on terrestrial and aquatic systems. Furthermore, through our contacts with EC we have constructed key parts of our proposal to build on, and extend, EC research. Our project outputs will directly benefit EC, and other national (US, UK) institutions responsible for monitoring and predicting climate change and its effects (US National Centre for Atmospheric Research (NCAR), US National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration ( NOAA), UK Met Office).
Our public engagement will help improve awareness and concern for the Arctic and likely impacts of change. Better information to individuals in the general population plays a key role in determining future public policy decisions and outcomes. All the opportunities afforded by the wealth of interactions between the public and statutory bodies detailed above, plus with local communities, schools and colleges, will be a major training component for both the early career researchers (PDRAs) employed on the project, to help broaden and develop their career paths in science. For complete details see the full Pathways to Impact document attached.
The existing working relationship between Project Partners and the Met Office will ensure that new understanding generated by the project will be incorporated into these models, and provide evidence for further policy development. Key direct benefits, in terms of improvement in models and their parameterisation and development, will accrue over the timescale of the life of the proposed project and ca. 12-24 months following its completion (i.e. direct impacts of very high relevance on a short timescale). For example, the IPCC Fifth Assessment report, for which one of our team members (Smith) is a convening lead author, is currently being drafted and is due for completion in 2014. Work from this project will be of direct relevance to WGI, which addresses the physical science basis of climate change.
Key international beneficiaries (further raising the UK influence in the climate change arena) include Environment Canada and the United States Geological Survey (USGS). For example, we will work with the Great Rivers Observatory Project (USGS) to enhance understanding of circum-arctic and circum-boreal affects of permafrost thaw on terrestrial and aquatic systems. Furthermore, through our contacts with EC we have constructed key parts of our proposal to build on, and extend, EC research. Our project outputs will directly benefit EC, and other national (US, UK) institutions responsible for monitoring and predicting climate change and its effects (US National Centre for Atmospheric Research (NCAR), US National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration ( NOAA), UK Met Office).
Our public engagement will help improve awareness and concern for the Arctic and likely impacts of change. Better information to individuals in the general population plays a key role in determining future public policy decisions and outcomes. All the opportunities afforded by the wealth of interactions between the public and statutory bodies detailed above, plus with local communities, schools and colleges, will be a major training component for both the early career researchers (PDRAs) employed on the project, to help broaden and develop their career paths in science. For complete details see the full Pathways to Impact document attached.
Organisations
- University of Aberdeen (Lead Research Organisation)
- McMaster University (Collaboration)
- Water Resources, Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development (Collaboration)
- Wilfrid Laurier University (Collaboration)
- Umea University (Collaboration)
- International Artic Science Council on Global Change (Collaboration)
Publications
Birkel C
(2018)
Characterization of surface water isotope spatial patterns of Scotland
in Journal of Geochemical Exploration
Dean J
(2018)
Abundant pre-industrial carbon detected in Canadian Arctic headwaters: implications for the permafrost carbon feedback
in Environmental Research Letters
Dean JF
(2016)
Biogeochemistry of "pristine" freshwater stream and lake systems in the western Canadian Arctic.
in Biogeochemistry
Dick J
(2014)
Modelling landscape controls on dissolved organic carbon sources and fluxes to streams
in Biogeochemistry
Jason Lessels (Author)
(2013)
Keeping it simple: a conceptual model of DOC dynamics in a subarctic alpine
in AGU 2013
Lessels J
(2015)
A coupled hydrology-biogeochemistry model to simulate dissolved organic carbon exports from a permafrost-influenced catchment
in Hydrological Processes
Lessels J. S.
(2014)
Utilising conservative tracers and spatial surveys to identify controls on pathways and DOC exports in an Arctic catchment.
in AGU Fall Meeting Abstracts
Lessels Jason
(2014)
Using isotopes to investigate hydrological flow pathways and sources in a remote Arctic catchment
in EGU General Assembly Conference Abstracts
Lessels Jason
(2014)
Using novel geostatistical techniques to identify the spatial distribution of biogeochemical hot-spots under contrasting hydrological conditions
in EGU General Assembly Conference Abstracts
Lessels JS
(2016)
Water sources and mixing in riparian wetlands revealed by tracers and geospatial analysis.
in Water resources research
Description | We have build a novel data base from a geographic region where it is extremely difficult to conduct fieldwork and monitoring. These data are processed and corrected already, and initial model development took place. We are currently writing a paper on the challenges of using stable isotopes in data sparse, arctic regions. |
Exploitation Route | Our work will be of interest to communities concerned about sustainability of their way of life, water resources and changes to permafrost. In a two-way process we will engage with local communities in Canada, to explain our research and to learn more about their perspectives on, and experiences with, climate change. Its of importance for other projects such as Great Rivers Observatory Project, The IPCC Fifth Assessment report, NERC National Centre for Earth Observation-land surface, Met Office Hadley Centre which is developing the JULES model , • Environment Canada. |
Sectors | Environment |
Description | we have now completed the field work and monitoring. The remaining time of the project will now be used for data analysis, interpretation and modelling. we had a lot of exchange with Environment Canada. |
First Year Of Impact | 2014 |
Sector | Environment |
Impact Types | Societal,Policy & public services |
Description | Aberdeen University Principal's Excellence Fund |
Amount | £180 (GBP) |
Organisation | University of Aberdeen |
Sector | Academic/University |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 11/2014 |
End | 12/2014 |
Description | ERC (European Research Council) Starting Grant: VeWa |
Amount | € 1,500,000 (EUR) |
Funding ID | GA 335910 |
Organisation | European Research Council (ERC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | Belgium |
Start | 10/2013 |
End | 09/2018 |
Description | European JPI Climate Joint Call for Transnational Collaborative Research Projects on Artic/ Boreal Systems |
Amount | £300,000 (GBP) |
Organisation | Natural Environment Research Council |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 12/2014 |
End | 05/2018 |
Description | Plant-water interlinkages in northern uplands |
Amount | £250,000 (GBP) |
Organisation | The Leverhulme Trust |
Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 10/2014 |
End | 09/2017 |
Title | Coupled dissolved organic carbon and hydrological model |
Description | A new parsimonious model which couples DOC and hydrological response. The model is a coupled conceptual model simulating both hydrology and biogeochemical processes in a sub-arctic alpione catchment. The model simulates both stream discharge and dissolved organic exports. |
Type Of Material | Computer model/algorithm |
Provided To Others? | No |
Impact | at this stage, this model is still in development stage, but some initial work is just written up for a paper to be submitted soon, using data from Wolf Creek, Yukon, Canada. An early version of the model was presented at AGU 2013 and the latest model will be presented at AGU 2014. This model is a crucial deliverable for the whole project. |
Title | Soil carbon data |
Description | The database contains information on the soil properties for 16 profiles within the arctic catchment. The database contains information onpH, bulk density, carbon and nitrogen content. |
Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
Provided To Others? | No |
Impact | these are crucial input data for the models to be developed within HYDRA |
Title | Soil water isotopes |
Description | The database is a collection of samples taken during the summer of 2014 from multiple soil profiles at 2 depths. The database contains both d18O and d2H collected from 40 sites across the artcic catchment. |
Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
Provided To Others? | No |
Impact | This database will be presented at the AGU 2014 conference. Its a unique data base for arctic environments, and will form the basis for the planned modelling in this project but can be used for consequent modelling as well. |
Title | Stream and lake stable water isotopes |
Description | The database is a collection of samples taken during the summer of 2014 from several aquatic sites in the study catchment. The database contains both d18O and d2H collected from 40 sites across the artcic catchment |
Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
Provided To Others? | No |
Impact | This data base is still in development, but is one of the few stable isotope water data sets for arctic environments. This database will be presented at the AGU 2014 conference, and forms the basis for the tracer-aided modelling proposed in the porject. |
Description | Collaboration with team from International Artic Science Council on Global Change |
Organisation | International Artic Science Council on Global Change |
Country | Germany |
Sector | Public |
PI Contribution | Workshop by the International Artic Science Council on Global Change, Arctic Hydrology and Earth System Processes |
Collaborator Contribution | scientific discussions and knowledge exchange |
Impact | there is still a joined paper planned from this workshop it enhanced knowledge on the topic which in turn was beneficial for additional funding (through JPI call) |
Start Year | 2014 |
Description | New collaboration |
Organisation | McMaster University |
Country | Canada |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | Collaborating with Sean Carey (McMaster University) on creating a coupled dissolved organic carbon and hydrological model for sub-arctic headwater alpine catchments. |
Collaborator Contribution | Prof Carey provided a unique data set to test model and analytical approaches |
Impact | a joined journal paper is in preparation, this will be a crucial part of WP4. |
Start Year | 2013 |
Description | New collaboration and partnership |
Organisation | Water Resources, Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development |
Country | Canada |
Sector | Public |
PI Contribution | Working with Ric Janowicz and Tyler Williams (Water Resources, Indian & Northern Affairs Canada) on the Granger experimental catchment in Whitehorse, Canada. |
Start Year | 2013 |
Description | New collaboration and partnership |
Organisation | Wilfrid Laurier University |
Country | Canada |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | Collaborating with Phil Marsh and Oliver Sonnentag (Wilfrid Laurier University) in Trail Valley Creek, Northwest Territories, Canada. |
Collaborator Contribution | Crucial insights on field work at Trailvalley site, provision of hydrometric data |
Impact | avoidance of double work; any fieldwork in this environment needs careful planning. Prof Phil Marsh is THE expert in terms of working scientifically at Trailvalley |
Start Year | 2013 |
Description | New collaboration with new team members from JPI call |
Organisation | Umea University |
Country | Sweden |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | I was able to build new collaborations with Prof J Karlson from Umea University, in the recent European JPI Climate Joint Call for Transnational Collaborative Research Projects on Artic/ Boreal Systems call. |
Collaborator Contribution | Prof Karlson approached myself and my team, that he would lead an application to the call above, and invited me to become a Co_investigator on the grant, which was successful and got funded. |
Impact | the project will just start in Dec 2014, but a successful research grant is the outcome already. |
Start Year | 2014 |