scholarly journals Patterns and persistence of hydrologic carbon and nutrient export from collapsing upland permafrost

2015 ◽  
Vol 12 (12) ◽  
pp. 3725-3740 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. W. Abbott ◽  
J. B. Jones ◽  
S. E. Godsey ◽  
J. R. Larouche ◽  
W. B. Bowden
Keyword(s):  
Aquatic Ecosystems ◽  
Inorganic Nitrogen ◽  
The Arctic ◽  
Nutrient Export ◽  
Initial Pulse ◽  
Dissolved Carbon ◽  
Carbon And Nitrogen ◽  
The North ◽  
North Slope Of Alaska ◽  
High Concentrations

Abstract. As high latitudes warm, vast stocks of carbon and nitrogen stored in permafrost will become available for transport to aquatic ecosystems. While there is a growing understanding of the potential effects of permafrost collapse (thermokarst) on aquatic biogeochemical cycles, neither the spatial extent nor temporal duration of these effects is known. To test hypotheses concerning patterns and persistence of elemental export from upland thermokarst, we sampled hydrologic outflow from 83 thermokarst features in various stages of development across the North Slope of Alaska. We hypothesized that an initial pulse of carbon and nutrients would be followed by a period of elemental retention during feature recovery, and that the duration of these stages would depend on feature morphology. Thermokarst caused substantial increases in dissolved organic carbon and other solute concentrations with a particularly large impact on inorganic nitrogen. Magnitude and duration of thermokarst effects on water chemistry differed by feature type and secondarily by landscape age. Most solutes returned to undisturbed concentrations after feature stabilization, but elevated dissolved carbon, inorganic nitrogen, and sulfate concentrations persisted through stabilization for some feature types, suggesting that aquatic disturbance by thermokarst for these solutes is long-lived. Dissolved methane decreased by 90% for most feature types, potentially due to high concentrations of sulfate and inorganic nitrogen. Spatial patterns of carbon and nutrient export from thermokarst suggest that upland thermokarst may be a dominant linkage transferring carbon and nutrients from terrestrial to aquatic ecosystems as the Arctic warms.

scholarly journals Patterns and persistence of hydrologic carbon and nutrient export from collapsing upland permafrost

2015 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 2063-2100 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. W. Abbott ◽  
J. B. Jones ◽  
S. E. Godsey ◽  
J. R. Larouche ◽  
W. B. Bowden
Keyword(s):  
Aquatic Ecosystems ◽  
Inorganic Nitrogen ◽  
The Arctic ◽  
Nutrient Export ◽  
Initial Pulse ◽  
Dissolved Carbon ◽  
Carbon And Nitrogen ◽  
The North ◽  
North Slope Of Alaska ◽  
High Concentrations

Abstract. As high latitudes warm, vast stocks of carbon and nitrogen stored in permafrost will become available for transport to aquatic ecosystems. While there is a growing understanding of the potential effects of permafrost collapse (thermokarst) on aquatic biogeochemical cycles, neither the spatial extent nor temporal duration of these effects are known. To test hypotheses concerning patterns and persistence of elemental export from upland thermokarst, we sampled hydrologic outflow from 83 thermokarst features in various stages of development across the North Slope of Alaska. We hypothesized that an initial pulse of carbon and nutrients would be followed by a period of elemental retention during feature recovery, and that the duration of these stages would depend on feature morphology. Thermokarst caused substantial increases of dissolved organic carbon and other solute concentrations with a particularly large impact on inorganic nitrogen. Magnitude and duration of thermokarst effects on water chemistry differed by feature type and secondarily by landscape age. Most solutes returned to undisturbed concentrations after feature stabilization, but elevated dissolved carbon, inorganic nitrogen, and sulfate concentrations persisted through stabilization for some feature types, suggesting that aquatic disturbance by thermokarst for these solutes is long-lived. Dissolved methane decreased by 90% for most feature types, potentially due to high concentrations of sulfate and inorganic nitrogen. Spatial patterns of carbon and nutrient export from thermokarst suggest that upland thermokarst may be a dominant linkage transferring carbon and nutrients from terrestrial to aquatic ecosystems as the Arctic warms.

scholarly journals The influence of local oil exploration and regional wildfires on summer 2015 aerosol over the North Slope of Alaska

2018 ◽  
Vol 18 (2) ◽  
pp. 555-570 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jessie M. Creamean ◽  
Maximilian Maahn ◽  
Gijs de Boer ◽  
Allison McComiskey ◽  
Arthur J. Sedlacek ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cloud Microphysics ◽  
Department Of Energy ◽  
The Arctic ◽  
North Slope ◽  
The North ◽  
The Us ◽  
Range Transport ◽  
North Slope Of Alaska ◽  
Atmospheric Radiation Measurement ◽  
Arctic Atmosphere

Abstract. The Arctic is warming at an alarming rate, yet the processes that contribute to the enhanced warming are not well understood. Arctic aerosols have been targeted in studies for decades due to their consequential impacts on the energy budget, both directly and indirectly through their ability to modulate cloud microphysics. Even with the breadth of knowledge afforded from these previous studies, aerosols and their effects remain poorly quantified, especially in the rapidly changing Arctic. Additionally, many previous studies involved use of ground-based measurements, and due to the frequent stratified nature of the Arctic atmosphere, brings into question the representativeness of these datasets aloft. Here, we report on airborne observations from the US Department of Energy Atmospheric Radiation Measurement (ARM) program's Fifth Airborne Carbon Measurements (ACME-V) field campaign along the North Slope of Alaska during the summer of 2015. Contrary to previous evidence that the Alaskan Arctic summertime air is relatively pristine, we show how local oil extraction activities, 2015's central Alaskan wildfires, and, to a lesser extent, long-range transport introduce aerosols and trace gases higher in concentration than previously reported in Arctic haze measurements to the North Slope. Although these sources were either episodic or localized, they serve as abundant aerosol sources that have the potential to impact a larger spatial scale after emission.

Outreach and disseminations activities in North Slope of Alaska: how to build trust between local communities and arctic researchers

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kaare Sikuaq Erickson ◽  
Donatella Zona ◽  
Marco Montemayor ◽  
Walter Oechel ◽  
Terenzio Zenone
Keyword(s):  
Common Ground ◽  
Local Community ◽  
Local Communities ◽  
The Arctic ◽  
North Slope ◽  
Science Fair ◽  
Methane Cycle ◽  
The North ◽  
North Slope Of Alaska ◽  
The University

<p>The Alaskan Ukpeaġvik Iñupiat Corporation (UIC) is promoting and financilally supporting, with the contribution of the US National Science Foundation (NSF) and local organizations, outreach and dissemination events, in the form of science fair for the local communities in North Slope of Alaska. The science fair is part of a larger effort by UIC Science to bring coordination and collaboration to science outreach and engagement efforts across Arctic Alaska. The purpose is to provide a positive space for Arctic researchers and Arctic residents to meet, eat with each other, spend time, and to inspire the youth of the Arctic by providing fun and educational activities that are based in science and traditional knowledge. The Science Fair 2019 hosted by the Barrow Arctic Research Center (BARC) included three days of youth and family-friendly activities related to “Inupiat Knowledge about Plants” led by the College Inupiat Studies Department, “Eco-chains Activity” hosted by the North Slope Borough Office of Emergency Management, “Big Little World: Bugs Plants, and Microscopes” hosted by the National Ecological Observatory Network, “Microplastics in the Arctic” hosted by the North Slope Borough Department of Wildlife Management, “BARC Scavenger Hunt” hosted by UIC Science, “Our Role in the Carbon and Methane Cycle” hosted by the University of Texas El Paso (UTEP) and San Diego State University, and “How Permafrost Works” hosted by the University of Alaska, Fairbanks, Geophysical Institute. Each day hundreds of students, from both the local community and the science community came together to take part in mutually beneficial engagement: students from Utqiaġvik were excited about science and now know of the realistic and fulfilling careers in research that takes place in their backyard. The Utqiaġvik community members and elders now have a better idea of the breadth of research that takes place in and near their home. The locals, especially the elders, are very concerned about the drastic changes in our environment: scientists share these concerns, and the discussions during the fair was a chance to recognize this common ground. Breaking the ice between Arctic researchers and residents can lead to endless opportunities for collaboration, sharing ideas, and even lifelong friendships.</p><p> </p><p> </p>

scholarly journals Elevated sources of cobalt in the Arctic Ocean

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Randelle M. Bundy ◽  
Alessandro Tagliabue ◽  
Nicholas J. Hawco ◽  
Peter L. Morton ◽  
Benjamin S. Twining ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Arctic Ocean ◽  
North Atlantic ◽  
Deep Water ◽  
Deep Ocean ◽  
The Arctic ◽  
Biogeochemical Model ◽  
Shelf Area ◽  
The North ◽  
The Arctic Ocean ◽  
High Concentrations

Abstract. Cobalt (Co) is an important bioactive trace metal that can limit or co-limit phytoplankton growth in many regions of the ocean. Total dissolved and labile Co measurements in the Canadian sector of the Arctic Ocean during U.S. GEOTRACES Arctic expedition (GN01) and the Canadian International Polar Year-GEOTRACES expedition (GIPY14) revealed a dynamic biogeochemical cycle for Co in this basin. The major sources of Co in the Arctic were from shelf regions and rivers, with only minimal contributions from other freshwater sources (sea ice, snow) and aeolian deposition. The most striking feature was the extremely high concentrations of dissolved Co in the upper 100 m, with concentrations routinely exceeding 800 pmol L−1 over the shelf regions. This plume of high Co persisted throughout the Arctic basin and extended to the North Pole, where sources of Co shifted from primarily shelf-derived to riverine, as freshwater from Arctic rivers was entrained in the Transpolar Drift. Dissolved Co was also strongly organically-complexed in the Arctic, ranging from 70–100 % complexed in the surface and deep ocean, respectively. Deep water concentrations of dissolved Co were remarkably consistent throughout the basin (~ 55 pmol L−1), with concentrations reflecting those of deep Atlantic water and deep ocean scavenging of dissolved Co. A biogeochemical model of Co cycling was used to support the hypothesis that the majority of the high surface Co in the Arctic was emanating from the shelf. The model showed that the high concentrations of Co observed along the transect were due to the large shelf area of the Arctic, as well as dampened scavenging of Co by manganese (Mn)-oxidizing bacteria due to the lower temperatures. The majority of this scavenging appears to have occurred in the upper 200 m, with minimal additional scavenging below this depth. Preliminary evidence suggests that both dissolved and labile Co are increasing over time on the Arctic shelf, and the elevated surface concentrations of Co likely leads to a net flux of Co out of the Arctic, with implications for downstream biological uptake of Co in the North Atlantic and elevated Co in North Atlantic Deep Water. Understanding the current distributions of Co in the Arctic will be important for constraining changes to Co inputs resulting from regional intensification of freshwater fluxes from ice and permafrost melt in response to ongoing climate change.

scholarly journals Linkages between the Genesis and Resource Potential of Ferromanganese Deposits in the Atlantic, Pacific, and Arctic Oceans

Minerals ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (5) ◽  
pp. 197 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amaya Menendez ◽  
Rachael James ◽  
Natalia Shulga ◽  
Doug Connelly ◽  
Steve Roberts
Keyword(s):  
The Arctic ◽  
Green Technologies ◽  
Resource Potential ◽  
The North ◽  
Environmental Controls ◽  
The Pacific ◽  
The Pacific Ocean ◽  
High Concentrations ◽  
Ferromanganese Deposits ◽  
New Generation

In addition to iron and manganese, deep sea ferromanganese deposits, including nodules and crusts, contain significant amounts of economically interesting metals, such as cobalt (Co), nickel (Ni), copper (Cu), and rare Earth elements and yttrium (REY). Some of these metals are essential in the development of emerging and new-generation green technologies. However, the resource potential of these deposits is variable, and likely related to environmental conditions that prevail as they form. To better assess the environmental controls on the resource potential of ferromanganese deposits, we have undertaken a detailed study of the chemical composition of ferromanganese nodules and one crust sample from different oceanic regions. Textural and chemical characteristics of nodules from the North Atlantic and a crust from the South Pacific suggest that they acquire metals from a hydrogenous source. These deposits are potentially an economically important source of Co and the REY. On the other hand, nodules from the Pacific Ocean represent a marginal resource of these metals, due to their relatively fast growth rate caused by diagenetic precipitation. By contrast, they have relatively high concentrations of Ni and Cu. A nodule from the Arctic Ocean is characterised by the presence of significant quantities of detrital silicate material, which significantly reduces their metal resource.

Some Physical and Chemical Characteristics of Arctic Fresh Waters In Alaska and Northwestern Canada

1968 ◽  
Vol 25 (12) ◽  
pp. 2575-2587 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Kalff
Keyword(s):  
Electrical Conductance ◽  
Correlation Coefficients ◽  
Total Alkalinity ◽  
The Arctic ◽  
Chemical Characteristics ◽  
Mean Values ◽  
Manganese Zinc ◽  
The North ◽  
Arctic Alaska ◽  
High Concentrations

Fifty-eight Arctic Alaskan lakes and rivers and two ponds as well as a few northwestern Arctic Canadian waters were analyzed for two or more physical or chemical characteristics. The waters sampled were nearly all of the bicarbonate type and ranged from very soft to hard. The Alaskan and mainland Canadian lakes contain levels of many ions similar to those of some low electrolyte lake waters previously reported for the north temperate zone. The characteristics measured, with the mean values for the Alaskan waters in brackets when 20 or more lakes or rivers were sampled, were: calcium (17.2 mg/liter), magnesium (2.1 mg/liter) total iron, total alkalinity (50.3 mg/liter), sulfate (4.9 mg/liter), chloride (3.8 mg/liter), nitrate, phosphate, electrical conductance (116 μmho), pH (7.7), and water color (24 Pt units). One of the ponds, analyzed for 18 trace metals, indicated relatively high concentrations of iron manganese, zinc, and copper. Correlation coefficients (r at P < 0.5) between various characteristics were: electrical conductance and total alkalinity, 0.98; electrical conductance and calcium, 0.97; electrical conductance and magnesium, 0.42; calcium and magnesium, 0.46; and pH and total alkalinity, 0.91. On the Coastal Plain of Arctic Alaska the total electrolyte content of lakes lying within 25–50 km from the Arctic Ocean was noticeably raised by chloride additions.

scholarly journals Policing the Arctic: The North Slope of Alaska

1994 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 95-108
Author(s):  
Lawrence C. Trostle ◽  
John E. Angell
Keyword(s):  
The Arctic ◽  
North Slope ◽  
The North ◽  
North Slope Of Alaska

Off-shore oil and gas developments in Alaska: impacts and conflicts

Polar Record ◽  
1974 ◽  
Vol 17 (108) ◽  
pp. 255-275 ◽  
Author(s):  
George Rogers
Keyword(s):  
Construction Projects ◽  
Oil And Gas ◽  
Gulf Of Alaska ◽  
The United States ◽  
Gas Production ◽  
The Arctic ◽  
The North ◽  
North Slope Of Alaska ◽  
Arctic Coast ◽  
Prudhoe Bay

After three years' delay, work started early in 1974 on the construction of the trans-Alaska pipeline from Prudhoe Bay on the Arctic coast of Alaska 1 270 km to Valdez on the Gulf of Alaska (Ronhovde. 1974). Within three years, the line should be delivering 1.2 million barrels per day, a volume that will be increased eventually to a daily flow of 2 million barrels. Gas production on the North Slope of Alaska will probably be exported through Canada to the United States through a 4 184-km pipeline that will cost an estimated $5.7 billion and, if built, will be one of the largest construction projects ever undertaken; the system will also carry Canadian Arctic gas to southern markets. The size of these projects is in themselves impressive, and they have been spawned and are being launched in an atmosphere of controversy and confusion that, in its different way, is equally impressive.

scholarly journals Particle-associated dissolved elemental fluxes: revising the stochiometry of mixed layer export

2005 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 275-302 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. N. Antia
Keyword(s):  
Mixed Layer ◽  
Euphotic Zone ◽  
Sediment Traps ◽  
Total Flux ◽  
Carbon Export ◽  
Redfield Ratio ◽  
Dissolved Carbon ◽  
Carbon And Nitrogen ◽  
The North ◽  
Winter Mixed Layer

Abstract. Sinking particles carry substantial loads of dissolved elements in their interstitial spaces that contribute to the vertical transport of elements out of the euphotic zone. Elemental fluxes as traditionally measured by sediment traps underestimate total export when this particle-associated dissolved flux is not considered. The errors introduced are variable and alter both the absolute levels of flux as well as the stochiometry of export. Using samples from sediment traps in the North Atlantic and measuring excess dissolved carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, silica and calcium in the supernatant of the collection cups, it is possible to quantitatively assess the total flux in the sample. At the base of the winter mixed layer, up to 90±6% of phosphorus fluxes are found as excess phosphate whereas for carbon and nitrogen dissolved concentrations account for between 30% and 47% of total fluxes respectively. Particle-associated dissolved silica fluxes are a mean of 61% of total flux. Little (<10%) of calcium fluxes are in dissolved form. The proportion of dissolved to total flux decreases with trap deployment depth. Calculations of the C:N:P ratios for particles only are well above the Redfield Ratio of 106:16:1 (Redfield et al., 1964), although the mid-water dissolved N:P and N:Si values as well as the C:N:P ratios of remineralisation along isopycnals conform to the Redfield Ratio at this site. Accounting for dissolved fluxes of all these elements brings the estimates in agreement with the Redfield Ratio and with other geochemical estimates of the stochiometry of winter mixed layer export. A factor of 3 to 4 higher ratios of organic: inorganic carbon export also implies that the net atmospheric CO2 sequestration by the biological pump is about 50% higher at this site when the particle-associated dissolved elemental fluxes are considered.

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