A recent study published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) reveals that over 7,500 lakes in western Greenland experienced a fundamental ecological transformation due to extreme climatic conditions. In September 2022, a series of atmospheric rivers (ARs) brought record heat and rain, followed by the remnants of Hurricane Fiona, causing record melting of the Greenland Ice Sheet. This led to a significant amount of carbon, iron, and other elements being released from permafrost, altering the physical features of the lakes and transforming the ecosystems. As a result, the lakes’ water became more acidic and the organisms that live in them were severely impacted, leading to a 350% increase in carbon dioxide flux from the lakes to the atmosphere. The study also found a 72% increase in methane concentrations in August 2023. The transformation of these lake ecosystems poses significant risks to the health and economy of Greenlandic communities, and highlights the importance of better integrating the potential for such surprises into future climate scenarios and adaptation plans.
Warming temperatures have transformed 7,500 Greenland lakes from natural carbon sinks into potent greenhouse gas emitters.
