Geochemical and microbial biomarker parameters from permafrost deposits (Buor Khaya, Siberia) ...

• Main Authors: Stapel, Janina Gabriele, Schirrmeister, Lutz, Overduin, Pier Paul, Wetterich, Sebastian, Strauss, Jens, Horsfield, Brian, Mangelsdorf, Kai
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: PANGAEA 2016
• Subjects: permafrost; Siberia
• Online Access: https://dx.doi.org/10.1594/pangaea.867981; https://doi.pangaea.de/10.1594/PANGAEA.867981

A terrestrial permafrost core from Buor Khaya in northern Siberia comprising deposits of Late Pleistocene to Early Holocene age has been investigated to characterize living and past microbial communities with respect to modern and paleoclimate environmental conditions and to evaluate the potential of the organic matter (OM) for greenhouse gas generation. Microbial life markers?intact phospholipids and phospholipid fatty acids?are found throughout the entire core and indicate the presence of living microorganisms also in older permafrost deposits. Biomarkers for past microbial communities (branched and isoprenoid glycerol dialkyl glycerol tetraether as well as archaeol) reveal links between increased past microbial activity and intervals of high OM accumulation accompanied by increased OM quality presumably caused by local periods of moister and warmer environmental conditions. Concentrations of acetate as an excellent substrate for methanogenesis are used to assess the OM quality with respect to microbial ... : Supplement to: Stapel, Janina Gabriele; Schirrmeister, Lutz; Overduin, Pier Paul; Wetterich, Sebastian; Strauss, Jens; Horsfield, Brian; Mangelsdorf, Kai (2016): Microbial lipid signatures and substrate potential of organic matter in permafrost deposits: Implications for future greenhouse gas production. Journal of Geophysical Research: Biogeosciences, 121, 15 pp ...