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Airborne bacteria over thawing permafrost landscapes in the Arctic

Authors: Marina Nieto-Caballero; Kevin Barry; Thomas Hill; Thomas Douglas; Paul DeMott; Sonia Kreidenweis; Jessie Creamean;

Airborne bacteria over thawing permafrost landscapes in the Arctic

Abstract

Rapid warming in the Arctic, outpacing global rates, is driving significant changes in cryospheric landscapes, including the release of long-preserved microorganisms. This study focuses on thawing permafrost in Northern Alaska, where microbes previously preserved in frozen soils are introduced into thermokarst lakes, rivers, and coastal waters and may also become airborne as bioaerosols. We present the first microbial composition measurements of bioaerosols in Alaska, identifying their local sources, such as soils, water bodies, and vegetation. Although sea/brackish water is the dominant bioaerosol contributor, we provide the first evidence of permafrost microbial signatures in bioaerosols from permafrost-laden regions. Permafrost is highly enriched with ice nucleating particles (INPs), which play a crucial role in cloud formation, precipitation processes, and radiation budget despite their relatively low atmospheric concentrations. With rising Arctic temperatures, increased permafrost thaw could result in higher levels of airborne permafrost-derived microbes and biological INPs active at warmer subzero temperatures. This, in turn, could enhance precipitation, further accelerating the permafrost thaw. Our findings emphasize the complex interactions between terrestrial changes and atmospheric processes, revealing a potential feedback loop that could intensify permafrost thaw and its broader environmental impacts.

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selected citations
These citations are derived from selected sources.
This is an alternative to the "Influence" indicator, which also reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically).
BIP!Citations provided by BIP!
popularity
This indicator reflects the "current" impact/attention (the "hype") of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network.
BIP!Popularity provided by BIP!
influence
This indicator reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically).
BIP!Influence provided by BIP!
impulse
This indicator reflects the initial momentum of an article directly after its publication, based on the underlying citation network.
BIP!Impulse provided by BIP!
0
Average
Average
Average
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