Organic matter and trace gas turnover in northeast Siberian permafrost: First soil studies on the impact of climate change on carbon mineralization

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The objective of the proposed research project is to improve our understanding of organic matter turnover in the carbon rich northeast Siberian permafrost soils and its potential response to global change. Permanently frozen ground (permafrost) characterises the landscape of about one quarter of the northern hemisphere. In northeast Siberia, permafrost deposits contain huge amounts of organic matter. The currently observed global temperature rise results in deeper permafrost thawing exposing formerly frozen organic matter to microbial degradation. Current estimates about carbon mineralization rates of deep permafrost organic matter are highly uncertain and trace gas emissions measurements from northern permafrost landscapes are scarce. Field and laboratory experiments are planned to quantify carbon mineralization and trace gas turnover in northeast Siberian permafrost of different depth, age, and composition. Mineralization rates will be quantified under oxic and anoxic conditions using different incubation methods and stable isotope based techniques. The results will increase our knowledge about the impact of permafrost degradation on trace gas fluxes.