Trace Gas Budgets of High Arctic Permafrost Regions

Torben R. Christensen
Dept. of Physical Geography and Ecosystem Analyses, Lund, Sweden and Abisko Scientific Research Station, Abisko Sweden
Thomas Friborg
Institute of Geography, Copenhagen University, Øster Voldgade 10, DK-1350 Copenhagen K, Denmark
Margareta Johansson
Dept. of Physical Geography and Ecosystem Analyses, Lund, Sweden and Abisko Scientific Research Station, Abisko Sweden

Abstract
Trace gas fluxes in tundra regions have attracted substantial attention in recent years because of the large quantity of carbon stored in tundra soils and the associated feedbacks to climate change. Major international assessments (e.g., ACIA, IPCC) have not been able to come up with a conclusive answer as to trace gas budgets of the Arctic. Here we find that the Circumpolar North is roughly in balance with respect to carbon dioxide exchanges, with some regions showing signs of current losses and others showing sings of current carbon sinks. Taking into account methane emissions over a decadal timescale, however, the Circumpolar North is considered a current source of radiative forcing. Whether this source functioning will continue or increase into the future is uncertain and depends on the fate of permafrost, soil moisture, and surface hydrology.

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