Calculateur de Dégel du Pergélisol — Formule

Permafrost Carbon and Climate Feedback

Permafrost soils contain vast stores of organic carbon frozen for thousands of years. As temperatures rise, thawing releases this carbon as CO2 and methane.

Formula

Total Carbon (Gt) = Area (km²) x 10^6 x Depth (m) x Carbon Density (kg/m³) / 10^12

Released Carbon = Total Carbon x Release Fraction

CO2 Released = Released Carbon x 3.67 (molecular weight ratio of CO2 to C)

Arctic permafrost holds an estimated 1,500 Gt of carbon, roughly twice the amount currently in the atmosphere.

Exemple Résolu

One million km² of permafrost thaws to 3 m depth with 25 kg C/m³ density and 10% release.

  1. Total carbon = 1,000,000 x 1,000,000 x 3 x 25 / 10^12 = 75 Gt C
  2. Released = 75 x 10% = 7.5 Gt C
  3. As CO2 = 7.5 x 3.67 = 27.5 Gt CO2