Svalbard Fjord Absorbs More Greenhouse Gases Than It Emits

A study published in Scientific Reports finds that Kongsfjord in Svalbard takes up more greenhouse gases and nutrients than it releases. Researchers from Norsk Polarinstitutt (the Norwegian Polar Institute) and other institutions carried out the work. According to High North News, they think this Arctic fjord can help answer questions about the part nature plays in slowing climate change.

The team examined the nitrogen budget of the fjord. That means how much carbon and nitrogen go in and how much comes out. Their question was whether the fjord works as a source or as a sink for carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus and silicate. They used 10 years of surveillance data, besides the existing monitoring information from the programme Environmental Monitoring of Svalbard and Jan Mayen (MOSJ).

High North News describes Arctic fjords as strongly affected by climate change. Higher temperatures, warm Atlantic water flowing in (known as Atlantification), tourism, pollution, and the melting of glaciers and sea ice all influence how the ecosystem works. Kongsfjord draws particular interest from researchers because Arctic water, Atlantic water and fresh glacial water meet there. Over the past 20 years the fjord has warmed by two degrees. The ecosystem, both above and below the surface, is going through large changes.

Pedro Duarte, a researcher at the Norwegian Polar Institute and the lead author of the study, said the method is uncomplicated and inexpensive. He said it could be applied to monitor other fjords, in Svalbard and elsewhere in the world. He said the fjord takes up more carbon and nitrogen than it releases. If other fjords follow the same pattern, he said, it would be good news for the climate and for ecosystems.

Duarte regards Kongsfjorden as a natural laboratory where one can learn how a changing climate affects the ocean, ecosystems and the planet's capacity to store greenhouse gases. He added that his team's research indicates nature retains ways of helping the climate. Keeping them intact, he said, is a task for people.