In the summer of 2016, the Yamal Peninsula in Siberia experienced a chilling reminder of the dangers locked in frozen permafrost. A dormant bacterium, anthrax, reemerged, leading to the death of more than 2,500 reindeer and a tragic loss of human life. This outbreak, triggered by a heatwave that thawed the permafrost, serves as a stark warning of the risks lurking beneath the Arctic’s icy layers.
As the Arctic warms four times faster than the global average, scientists warn of potentially catastrophic consequences. Dormant microbes, some trapped for millennia, could reawaken, posing significant threats to both human health and the planet’s ecosystems.
The Arctic’s permafrost spans millions of square kilometers, encompassing frozen soil, ice, and ancient organic material. Within these frozen depths lie an estimated four sextillion microbes released annually as permafrost thaws, according to the journal Environmental Sustainability. Many of these microbes have been dormant for centuries, preserving their infectious potential.
The 2016 anthrax outbreak, traced back to a reindeer burial ground from over 70 years ago, exemplifies how thawing permafrost can resurrect pathogens. Similar risks may arise as long-dead animals, preserved in Arctic ice, begin to thaw and release bacteria or viruses that humans have never encountered or have not encountered in centuries.
As the Arctic becomes more accessible due to melting ice, increased human activity such as mining, shipping, and oil exploration heightens the risk of exposure to ancient pathogens. Andrea Hinwood, Chief Scientist at the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), warns that these activities could place more people in close proximity to thawing permafrost and its microbial residents.
“We could be witnessing a complete change of land use in the Arctic, and that could be dangerous,” Hinwood notes.
Beyond human health, thawing permafrost poses a global environmental challenge. It stores approximately 1,500 gigatonnes of carbon double the amount in the Earth’s atmosphere. When permafrost thaws, this carbon is released as carbon dioxide or methane, potent greenhouse gases that accelerate global warming.
This feedback loop where warming causes permafrost thawing, which releases greenhouse gases that further heat the planet threatens to spiral into a runaway climate crisis. This phenomenon underscores the urgency of addressing the drivers of climate change.
To mitigate the risks posed by thawing permafrost, experts emphasize several key actions:
- Reducing greenhouse gas emissions: Slowing global warming is essential to preserving the stability of permafrost.
- Monitoring receding permafrost: Increased surveillance can provide early warnings of potential outbreaks or environmental threats.
- Mapping Arctic microbes: A comprehensive understanding of the microbes residing in permafrost can help prepare for potential health challenges.
Despite the uncertainty surrounding the exact risks, Hinwood stresses the importance of proactive research and policymaking. “The best we can do is use the tools and science we have to inform ourselves,” she says.
The Arctic may seem remote, but the changes occurring there have far-reaching implications for the entire planet. From the threat of ancient pathogens to the exacerbation of climate change, the thawing permafrost demands urgent global attention. By taking decisive action now, humanity can better navigate this emerging frontier and safeguard the health of future generations.
