Deglacial release of petrogenic and permafrost carbon from the Canadian Arctic impacting the carbon cycle.

ABSTRACT: The changes in atmospheric pCO₂ provide evidence for the release of large amounts of ancient carbon during the last deglaciation. However, the sources and mechanisms that contributed to this process remain unresolved. Here, we present evidence for substantial ancient terrestrial carbon remobilization in the Canadian Arctic following the Laurentide Ice Sheet retreat. Glacial-retreat-induced physical erosion of bedrock has mobilized petrogenic carbon, as revealed by sedimentary records of radiocarbon dates and thermal maturity of organic carbon from the Canadian Beaufort Sea. Additionally, coastal erosion during the meltwater pulses 1a and 1b has remobilized pre-aged carbon from permafrost. Assuming extensive petrogenic organic carbon oxidation during the glacial retreat, a model-

SUBMITTER: Wu J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9684420 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature