Perennial redox potential dynamics in Alaskan degraded and non-degraded permafrost soils

Research output: Contribution to journalResearch articleContributedpeer-review

Contributors

  • Patrick Liebmann - , Leibniz University Hannover (LUH) (Author)
  • Cordula Vogel - , Chair of Soil Resources and Land Use (Author)
  • Alexander Kholodov - , University of Alaska Fairbanks (Author)
  • Jiří Bárta - , University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice (Author)
  • Muhammad Waqas - , University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice (Author)
  • Milan Varsadiya - , University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice (Author)
  • Haitao Wang - , University of Greifswald (Author)
  • Tim Urich - , University of Greifswald (Author)
  • Tim Mansfeldt - , University of Cologne (Author)
  • Stefan Wessel-Bothe - , ecoTech Umwelt-Messsysteme GmbH (Author)
  • Olga Shibistova - , Leibniz University Hannover (LUH) (Author)
  • Georg Guggenberger - , Leibniz University Hannover (LUH) (Author)

Abstract

The redox status of permafrost soils is a decisive factor for their nutrient cycling, organic matter decomposition, and greenhouse gas emissions. Although being associated with a variety of processes, data availability of continuous redox measurements in permafrost soils is scarce. Here, we provide a unique dataset covering three years of soil redox potential measurements, obtained from a monitoring approach at three research sites near Fairbanks, Alaska. Redox potential pattern in the permafrost soil active layer showed large seasonal differences, with reducing conditions in the short summer/autumn to largely oxidizing conditions in winter and spring. However, conditions for methane production were at no time recorded in the three years. Especially the freezing and thawing had substantial impact on the redox status, highlighting that assessment of redox conditions in permafrost soils should be extended beyond the typical summer observation periods.

Details

Original languageEnglish
Article number120
JournalCommunications Earth & Environment
Volume7
Issue number1
Publication statusPublished - 30 Dec 2025
Peer-reviewedYes

External IDs

unpaywall 10.1038/s43247-025-03143-x
Mendeley a96dba85-971e-3f36-ac51-d4c181d9fc93
Scopus 105029182070

Keywords