The evolution of the ecosystems of thermokarst lakes of the Bolshezemelskaya tundra in the context of climate change

• Published in: E3S Web of Conferences
• Main Authors: Shirokova Liudmila, Ivanova Irina, Manasypov Rinat, Pokrovsky Oleg, Chupakov Artem, Iglovsky Stanislav, Shorina Natalia, Zabelina Svetlana, Gofarov Mikhail, Payandi-Rolland Dahedrey, Chupakova Anna, Moreva Olga
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English; French
• Published: EDP Sciences 2019
• Subjects: Environmental sciences; GE1-350; Arctic; Climate change; permafrost; Thermokarst; Tundra
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.1051/e3sconf/20199802010; https://doaj.org/article/6447ae835b3944fa8a9b8207a3fc4b69

In the conditions of climate warming, the thawing of permafrost can provoke the formation of new thermokarst lakes and subsidence, which facilitates the removal of organic matter from thawed peat into natural waters. Hydrochemical studies of surface waters of the Bolshezemelskaya tundra have demonstrated the exponential dependence of the physicochemical parameters on the size of the water body (peat subsidence, thaw ponds, small lakes, thermokarst lakes). The hydrochemical features of thermokarst lakes of the Bolshezemelskaya tundra are determined by high content of DOC, surface runoff and the thickness of peat deposits. Measurements of concentrations and fluxes of methane showed that all studied water bodies of the Bolshezemelskaya tundra are oversaturated with CH4, and depressions, subsidence, and small water bodies (<100 m2) are characterized by the highest concentrations of DOCs. The contribution of these small reservoirs to the total coverage of the surface of the Bolshezemelskaya tundra area is significant, and their consideration can greatly change the assessment of methane fluxes from the arctic tundra.