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Thawing Permafrost Not Only Emits CO2, It Absorbs it Too, Shows Landmark Study

A study by Umeå University and East China Normal University found that thawing permafrost triggers rock weathering. This geological process absorbs CO2 and can offset or exceed river greenhouse gas emissions in certain regions. The research focused on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau.

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New research identifies a rock weathering process that allows thawing permafrost to act as a carbon sink.

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  1. Rock Weathering From Thawing Permafrost Absorbs Atmospheric CO2

    A study by Umeå University and East China Normal University found that thawing permafrost triggers rock weathering. This geological process absorbs CO2 and can offset or exceed river greenhouse gas emissions in certain regions. The research focused on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau.

    What's confirmed:

    • Thawing permafrost triggers rock weathering that absorbs CO2 from the atmosphere.
    • In some regions, carbon uptake from rock weathering fully offsets or surpasses river greenhouse gas emissions.
    • Researchers from Umeå University and East China Normal University conducted the study published in Nature.
    • The study examined the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau.

    Still unconfirmed:

    • The Arctic contains a 63-billion-ton carbon secret.
    • Northern permafrost switches from a carbon sink to a source earlier than models predicted when including deep soil carbon.
    • Deep carbon in permafrost could soon release and supercharge warming.
    confidence 90%