Arctic Glaciers: A Newly Discovered Source of Potent Greenhouse Gas
Postdoctoral researchers Gabrielle Kleber and Leonard Magerl from iC3 (Centre for ice, Cryosphere, Carbon and Climate at UiT The Arctic University of Norway) have made a significant discovery: Arctic glaciers are leaking substantial amounts of methane, a powerful greenhouse gas, into the atmosphere.
Methane Leakage from Glacial Meltwater
The research, focused on the Vallåkrabreen glacier in central Svalbard, revealed that glacial melt rivers and groundwater springs are transporting large volumes of methane from beneath the ice. This process, previously unrecognized, has the potential to accelerate global warming by contributing to Arctic climate feedbacks.
A Surprising Source of Methane Emissions
While methane emissions from Arctic wetlands, permafrost, and geological seeps are well-documented, the role of glacial meltwater in mobilizing methane has been largely overlooked until now. Kleber and Magerl’s measurements at Vallåkrabreen yielded striking results.
Methane concentrations in the melt river were found to be up to 800 times higher than the atmospheric equilibrium. Peak levels reached 3,170 nanomolar early in the melt season. Crucially, this methane originated not from microbial activity beneath the ice, but from thermogenic sources – methane trapped in ancient geological formations for millions of years.
The “Glacial Fracking” Process
“We expected to see some methane in the meltwater, but the concentrations we measured were surprisingly high,” explains Gabrielle Kleber. “Our isotopic analysis showed that this methane is geologic in origin and is released as the glacier retreats and glacial meltwater flushes through fractures in the rock.”
The researchers tracked methane concentrations throughout the melt season and estimated that the Vallåkrabreen melt river alone released approximately 616 kg of methane between June and October. This accounted for 63% of the total methane emissions from the glacier catchment, with groundwater springs and bubbling gas vents contributing the remainder.
“Glaciers act like giant lids, trapping methane underground,” highlights Leonard Magerl. “But as they melt, water percolates through cracks in the bedrock, transporting the gas to the surface. You can think of it as a natural ‘fracking’ process, or as we have called it: ‘glacial fracking’.”
Wider Implications for the Arctic and Beyond
The study suggests that similar emissions could be occurring at hundreds of other glaciers across Svalbard. The archipelago has over 1,400 land-terminating glaciers, many overlying methane-rich bedrock. If this process is widespread, glacial methane emissions could represent a substantial and previously unaccounted-for source of Arctic greenhouse gas emissions.
A Potential Climate Feedback Loop
The implications of this research extend far beyond Svalbard. The Arctic is warming at four times the global average, and glaciers are shrinking rapidly. As they melt, more methane could be released, creating a positive feedback loop: warming melts glaciers, releasing methane, which traps more heat, accelerating further melting.
“Methane is a much more powerful greenhouse gas than carbon dioxide over short timescales,” warns Kleber. “Even though these emissions are seasonal, they could add up as more glaciers retreat.”
Future Research and Reassessment of Arctic Methane Budgets
This discovery necessitates a reassessment of methane budgets in the Arctic region. Scientists must now incorporate glacial emissions alongside permafrost thaw and wetland methane fluxes to gain a complete understanding of the changing carbon cycle.
While this study is the first to document methane emissions from a glacial melt river in Svalbard, further research is crucial to understand the full scale of this phenomenon. The iC3 researchers plan to expand their work to other glacier systems and develop methods for quantifying methane emissions on a larger scale, to fully evaluate the impact of this “glacial fracking.”
General Content Disclaimer
The content on this website, including articles generated by artificial intelligence or syndicated from third-party sources, is provided for informational purposes only. We do not own the rights to all images and have not independently verified the accuracy of all information presented. Opinions expressed are those of the original authors and do not necessarily reflect our views. Reader discretion is advised, as some content may contain sensitive, controversial, or unverified information. We are not responsible for user-generated content, technical issues, or the accuracy of external links. Some content may be sponsored or contain affiliate links, which will be identified accordingly. By using this website, you agree to our privacy policy. For concerns, including copyright infringement (DMCA) notices, contact us at info@keewee.news
