Ice sheets matter for the global carbon cycle

J. L. Wadham^*, J. R. Hawkings, L. Tarasov, L. J. Gregoire, R. G.M. Spencer, M. Gutjahr, A. Ridgwell, K. E. Kohfeld

^*Corresponding author for this work

Research output:Contribution to journal ›Review article (Academic Journal) ›peer-review

145Citations(Scopus)

477Downloads(Pure)

Abstract

The cycling of carbon on Earth exerts a fundamental influence upon the greenhouse gas content of the atmosphere, and hence global climate over millennia. Until recently, ice sheets were viewed as inert components of this cycle and largely disregarded in global models. Research in the past decade has transformed this view, demonstrating the existence of uniquely adapted microbial communities, high rates of biogeochemical/physical weathering in ice sheets and storage and cycling of organic carbon (>10⁴ Pg C) and nutrients. Here we assess the active role of ice sheets in the global carbon cycle and potential ramifications of enhanced melt and ice discharge in a warming world.

Original language	English
Article number	3567 (2019)
Number of pages	17
Journal	Nature Communications
Volume	10
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-019-11394-4
Publication status	Published -15 Aug 2019

Keywords

Biogeochemistry
Carbon cycle
Cryospheric science

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UNSustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

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10.1038/s41467-019-11394-4

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145 Citations
1Comment/debate (Academic Journal)

Publisher Correction: Ice sheets matter for the global carbon cycle
Wadham, J. L., Hawkings, J. R., Tarasov, L., Gregoire, L. J., Spencer, R. G. M., Gutjahr, M., Ridgwell, A. & Kohfeld, K. E.,1 Dec 2019,In:Nature Communications.10,1 p., 4084.
Research output:Contribution to journal ›Comment/debate (Academic Journal) ›peer-review
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Projects

2Finished

PISCES: Patagonian Ice field Shrinkage impacts on Coastal and fjord EcosystemS
Wadham, J. L. (Principal Investigator)
1/12/16 →31/12/20
Project:Research
GREENING OF RETREATING GLACIERS: STORAGE VERSUS EXPORT OF AUTOCHTHONOUS ORGANIC MATTER
Anesio, A. M. B. (Principal Investigator)
1/03/09 →1/03/12
Project:Research

Cite this

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title = "Ice sheets matter for the global carbon cycle",

abstract = "The cycling of carbon on Earth exerts a fundamental influence upon the greenhouse gas content of the atmosphere, and hence global climate over millennia. Until recently, ice sheets were viewed as inert components of this cycle and largely disregarded in global models. Research in the past decade has transformed this view, demonstrating the existence of uniquely adapted microbial communities, high rates of biogeochemical/physical weathering in ice sheets and storage and cycling of organic carbon (>104 Pg C) and nutrients. Here we assess the active role of ice sheets in the global carbon cycle and potential ramifications of enhanced melt and ice discharge in a warming world.",

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AU - Hawkings, J. R.

AU - Tarasov, L.

AU - Gregoire, L. J.

AU - Spencer, R. G.M.

AU - Gutjahr, M.

AU - Ridgwell, A.

AU - Kohfeld, K. E.

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AB - The cycling of carbon on Earth exerts a fundamental influence upon the greenhouse gas content of the atmosphere, and hence global climate over millennia. Until recently, ice sheets were viewed as inert components of this cycle and largely disregarded in global models. Research in the past decade has transformed this view, demonstrating the existence of uniquely adapted microbial communities, high rates of biogeochemical/physical weathering in ice sheets and storage and cycling of organic carbon (>104 Pg C) and nutrients. Here we assess the active role of ice sheets in the global carbon cycle and potential ramifications of enhanced melt and ice discharge in a warming world.

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KW - Cryospheric science

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