Study of 50 Rivers Finds Thawing Permafrost Offsets 35% of CO2 via Rock Weathering
Updated
Updated · Good News Network · Jun 21
Study of 50 Rivers Finds Thawing Permafrost Offsets 35% of CO2 via Rock Weathering
1 articles · Updated · Good News Network · Jun 21
Summary
A Nature study of 50 rivers on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau found thawing permafrost can drive enough rock weathering to offset about 35% of river CO2 emissions on average.
Warming and permafrost loss expose reactive minerals and increase water-rock contact, accelerating chemical weathering that consumes atmospheric CO2 and shifts carbon into dissolved inorganic forms.
In catchments with discontinuous or isolated permafrost, weathering-driven uptake sometimes exceeded 100% of river CO2 emissions, meaning rivers could become net CO2 removers.
The findings complicate the view of thawing permafrost as only a carbon source and suggest climate assessments should include geological carbon sinks alongside biological emissions.
Thawing permafrost traps carbon but also triggers landslides. Which of its hidden effects poses the greater threat to humanity?
A new geological carbon sink has been found. Is this a climate savior or a dangerous distraction from cutting human emissions?
Permafrost Thaw’s Double-Edged Climate Impact: Rock Weathering Offsets Only 1% of Human CO2 Emissions
Overview
A major 2026 study published in Nature has changed how scientists view permafrost thaw and its impact on climate. Traditionally, thawing permafrost was seen mainly as a source of greenhouse gases from decomposing organic matter. However, this research revealed a dual effect: while permafrost thaw does release carbon emissions, it also triggers rock weathering, a geological process that can absorb some of the released CO2. This means that permafrost thaw both adds and removes carbon from the atmosphere. The study highlights the need for future climate assessments to include both biological and geological carbon processes for a more complete understanding.