Abstract Project: KOP171

Janet Rethemeyer (Univ.Cologne)

Temperature rise and permafrost thaw are expected to accelerate microbial organic matter decomposition and its respiration to CO₂ creating a positive climate feedback. Information on the organic carbon inventory, its biochemical properties and microbial degradability, however, are limited particularly for the High Arctic (>70°N). Therefore, the objective of our study is to determine the rates and sources of CO₂ emissions from permafrost soils both, in the field and in lab experiments using carbon isotopic analysis ( ¹³C, ¹⁴C). We also study their relationship with environmental parameters such as temperature, soil moisture, organic matter quality, and microbial communities and their activity.