Experimental study of the permafrost thawing effect on the content of nutrients and heavy metals in seawater during abrasion destruction of the Arctic coast

Abstract

In the context of global warming, the permafrost thawing could have a significant impact on the chemical composition of seawaters in the Arctic. Permafrost thawing is a potential source of organic and inorganic forms of nutrients, as well as heavy metals. During the Russian-Norwegian expedition to Svalbard in June 2018, the researchers carried out a laboratory experiment to assess the permafrost thawing effect on the chemical properties of seawater. They took permafrost samples from an abrasive slope 10 km west of Longyearbyen. The experiment took place in the laboratory of the University Center on Svalbard (UNIS), the changes in dissolved oxygen, pH, concentrations of nutrients and pollutants associated with the thawing of permafrost were investigated. During the experiment, the researchers added permafrost samples to the seawater samples, and then kept the solution under natural conditions while taking samples at regular intervals. The experimental data made it possible to assess the changes in the concentration of chemicals because of the permafrost thawing. The experiment shows the significance of the investigated process for coastal waters, its effect on the supply of nutrients, heavy metals, ocean acidification, and, in this regard, demonstrates the sensibility of coastal ecosystems to multiple factors associated with global warming.