Articles | Volume 23, issue 10
https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-23-3615-2026
© Author(s) 2026. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-23-3615-2026
© Author(s) 2026. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Research article
| 
27 May 2026
Research article |
| 27 May 2026
| 27 May 2026
Thawing Siberian permafrost stabilizes organic carbon from recent plant litter inputs
Christian Knoblauch
CORRESPONDING AUTHOR
University of Hamburg, Department of Earth System Sciences, Allende Platz 2, 20146 Hamburg, Germany
University of Hamburg, Center for Earth System Research and Sustainability, 20146 Hamburg, Germany
Christian Beer
University of Hamburg, Department of Earth System Sciences, Allende Platz 2, 20146 Hamburg, Germany
University of Hamburg, Center for Earth System Research and Sustainability, 20146 Hamburg, Germany
Carolina Voigt
University of Hamburg, Department of Earth System Sciences, Allende Platz 2, 20146 Hamburg, Germany
Alfred Wegener Institute Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research, Permafrost Research Section, Telegrafenberg A45, 14473 Potsdam, Germany
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Climate change and warming in the Arctic exceed global averages. As a result, permanently frozen soils (permafrost) which store vast quantities of carbon in the form of dead plant material (organic matter) are thawing. Our study shows that as permafrost landscapes degrade, high concentrations of organic matter are released. Partly, this organic matter is degraded rapidly upon release, while another significant fraction enters stream networks and enters the Arctic Ocean.
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Short summary
Carbon release from thawing permafrost receives ample attention since it may cause rising greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere. However, we demonstrate through a 9-year lasting incubation experiment that thawing permafrost stabilizes a substantial amount of fresh plant litter carbon from increasing plant productivity for decades. Although litter carbon is faster decomposed than the permafrost carbon it may contribute to the build-up of organic carbon in thawing permafrost soils.
Carbon release from thawing permafrost receives ample attention since it may cause rising...
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