Earth’s Cryosphere, 2020, vol. XXIV, No. 3, pp. 46-51
10.21782/EC2541-9994-2020-3(46-51)

METHANE AS AN INDICATOR OF PERMAFROST FORMATION CONDITIONS IN ANTARCTICA

E.M. Rivkina, A.A. Abramov

Institute of Physicochemical and Biological Problems in Soil Science RAS,
2, Institutskaya str., Pushchino, Moscow region, 142290, Russia; elizaveta.rivkina@gmail.com

Research of permafrost in Antarctica revealed the presence of methane in lacustrine (Larsemann, Schirmacher and Bunger Hills oases), marine (King George Island) and temporary stream (Larsemann Hills) sediments. In moraine and deluvium deposits, we found no methane. The methanogenic activity has been proved by experiments with isotopically marked substrates. In permafrost, there are number of viable methanogenic archaea, that start producing methane as ground temperature rises. The methane flux could be increased in the future due to deglaciation, active layer deepening, activation of methanogenic microorganisms and release of entrapped methane.

Key words: Antarctica, methane, permafrost, radioactive label

Please cite as:

Rivkina E.M., Abramov A.A. Methane as an indicator of permafrost formation conditions in Antarctica. Earth’s Cryosphere, 2020, vol. XXIV, No. 3, pp.46-51. DOI: 10.21782/EC2541-9994-2020-3(46-51)