According to recent reports from the Arctic, part of the long-term-stable nitrogen stocks in permafrost-affected soils are on the move. We are observing changes in vegetation growth and composition, increased nitrogen export to waterbodies, as well as increased release of the strong greenhouse gas nitrous oxide. Thaw-N project digs into the reasons behind these changes by studying the pools and fate of nitrogen in permafrost soils. In the multidisciplinary study conducted at the University of Eastern Finland and several collaborating institutes, we will investigate the amount, quality, microbial transformation processes and atmospheric release of permafrost N and compared to the seasonally thawing active layer. We use modern stable isotope techniques to resolve the complete N cycle, and combine this process information with advanced microbial studies. The results of Thaw-N will represent a leap forward in understanding the fate of permafrost N after thaw, and its climatic consequences.

2022

2028