Hydro-thermal contaminant mobilization from thawing permafrost in Alaska

Thawing of permafrost in Alaska increases the risk of contaminant mobilisation into sensitive ecosystems and communities. Analysis of a contaminant site database reveals over 1,200 active contaminated sites on permafrost in Alaska—30% of which are military installations, containing up to 36 different pollutants. Hydrocarbons are the most abundant contaminants, followed by polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and other organic compounds. Though smaller but highly toxic groups of metals and pesticides can also be found on permafrost contaminant locations. Although many contaminants are poorly soluble, 40% of sites lie within 1 km of rivers or lakes, and over 70% within 1 km of the ocean—placing aquatic and coastal systems at risk.

Using the hydro-thermal model CryoGridLite, we simulate the future lateral contaminant mobilisation and hazard (CMPH) potential under SSP1-2.6 and SSP5-8.5 climate scenarios. We find that the Contamination mobilisation potential and hazard (CMPH) is projected to double by mid century, and possible triple by 2100 under high emission scenarios. While southern Alaska shows the highest absolute mobilisation due to deeper thaw, the coastal Northern regions see the largest increases in CMPH due to larger increases in active layer thickness.

This study provides novel insights into thaw-induced contaminant release. Communities, particularly Indigenous populations living near the coast and relying on local water and food sources, may face increasing exposure.

Details

Author

Daniëlle* Kraak1, Alexander Oehme2, Christina Himmelsbach2, Soraya Kaiser3, Jan Nitzbon4, Thomas Schneider von Deimling2, Simone. M. Stuenzi5, Moritz Langer6

Institutionen

1Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam;Alfred Wegener Institute, Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research; 2Alfred Wegener Institute, Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research;Humboldt University of Berlin; 3Alfred Wegener Institute, Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research; 4Alfred Wegener Institute, Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research;Institute for Geography, University of Göttingen, Germany; 5Humboldt University of Berlin;Alfred Wegener Institute, Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research; 6Alfred Wegener Institute, Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research;Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam

Veranstaltung

Geo4Göttingen 2025

Datum

2025

DOI

10.48380/76fm-gv59

Geolocation

Alaska

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