Research project Quantifying methane emissions from the subsea permafrost tipping system (SuPerTip)

Subsea permafrost extends over large areas under the Arctic Ocean, especially north of Siberia. Its thaw could lead to substantial methane release, by microbial decomposition of thawing organic matter, or by the formation of thaw channels that release previously formed methane deposits (including hydrates). Methane could also be consumed by microorganisms in subsea permafrost. Our current understanding of subsea permafrost and its potential and a source, conduit, or sink of methane is scarce and limits projections of possible future emissions from this system. The SuPerTip project, funded by the Swedish Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation, aims to shed light on how the interplay between physical and chemical properties as well as microorganisms shapes the magnitude of methane fluxes from the subsea permafrost system. This is achieved by integrating experimental and modelling components.