Thawing Arctic Permafrost Threatens Release of Decades-Old Toxic Waste, New Study Warns

A recent study ¡°Thawing Permafrost Poses an environmental threat to Thousands of Sites with legacy industrial contamination¡±, has revealed that the thawing of permafrost has the potential to cause significant environmental harm in the Arctic region.

The study highlights the concern that thousands of sites with legacy industrial contamination could be at risk. As permafrost thaws, toxic substances present in the frozen ground could be released and spread, posing a threat to the surrounding environment.

Climatekids.nasa.gov

This finding emphasizes the need for proactive measures to mitigate the potential consequences of thawing permafrost and address the environmental risks associated with it.

What is Permafrost?

Permafrost refers to the ground that remains frozen at or below 0 degrees Celsius for a minimum of two consecutive years. It is commonly found in Arctic regions, including Greenland, Alaska, Canada, Russia, and Eastern Europe.

Permafrost consists of a mixture of soil, rocks, and sand held together by ice, which remains frozen throughout the year. It is important to note that while permafrost remains frozen, it may not always be covered with snow.

What does the study reveal?

The study found that there are between 13,000 and 20,000 contaminated sites in permafrost regions, likely resulting from 4,500 industrial facilities. Currently, around 1,000 industrial sites and 2,200 to 4,800 contaminated sites are at risk of destabilization due to thawing permafrost.

Cenperm.ku.dk

The Arctic region contains various industrial waste types, including drilling and mining wastes, toxic substances like drilling muds and fluids, mine waste heaps, heavy metals, spilled fuels, and radioactive waste.

The rapid thawing of the Arctic due to climate change poses a significant risk to both industrial sites and contaminated areas. The warming Arctic, which is heating up nearly four times faster than the rest of the planet, is causing permafrost to thaw quickly.

This thawing process could destabilize around 2,100 industrial sites and between 5,600 and 10,000 contaminated sites by the end of the century. The Arctic, once thought to be stable and untouched, is actually home to numerous industrial facilities, including oilfields, pipelines, mines, and military bases.

These structures were built on permafrost, and the toxic waste generated by these industries has been buried in the frozen ground with the assumption that it would remain permanently locked away.

However, as global temperatures rise, this waste poses a growing threat. The development of the Arctic region during the Cold War led to the accumulation of industrial and toxic waste, which was left untreated.

How will it impact?

Thawing permafrost has significant implications, with one of the most concerning consequences being the release of greenhouse gases (GHGs) into the atmosphere. Arctic permafrost, according to a 2022 NASA report, contains an estimated 1,700 billion metric tons of carbon, including methane and carbon dioxide. This amount is approximately 51 times the carbon emissions released by the world from fossil fuels in 2019.

NASA

According to The Indian Express report, when permafrost thaws, the plant matter frozen within it starts to decompose due to the activity of microbes. This decomposition process releases carbon into the atmosphere, further contributing to global warming and climate change.

In addition to the release of GHGs, thawing permafrost also presents a potential threat in terms of disease. A 2022 study conducted by Columbia University suggests that as permafrost thaws, thousands of dormant viruses and bacteria could be unleashed. These microorganisms could include new viruses or ancient ones for which humans lack immunity and cures.

There is also the risk of re-emerging diseases that society has previously eliminated, such as smallpox or the bubonic plague.