Thawing Yedoma permafrost is a neglected nitrous oxide source.

ABSTRACT: In contrast to the well-recognized permafrost carbon (C) feedback to climate change, the fate of permafrost nitrogen (N) after thaw is poorly understood. According to mounting evidence, part of the N liberated from permafrost may be released to the atmosphere as the strong greenhouse gas (GHG) nitrous oxide (N₂O). Here, we report post-thaw N₂O release from late Pleistocene permafrost deposits called Yedoma, which store a substantial part of permafrost C and N and are highly vulnerable to thaw. While freshly thawed, unvegetated Yedoma in disturbed areas emit little N₂O, emissions increase within few years after stabilization, drying and revegetation with grasses to high rates (548 (133-6286) μg N m^-2 day^-1; median with (range)), exceedi

SUBMITTER: Marushchak ME 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8651752 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature