A new study led by Marie Bulínová from the Arctic University of Norway reveals that microbial activity in Arctic lakes is powering a surge in methane emissions—a potent greenhouse gas about 25 times stronger than CO₂ over a century. By analyzing sediment cores and pore-water chemistry across ten lakes in Svalbard and Arctic Scandinavia, researchers discovered that methane production peaks within the top ~10 cm of sediment where fresh organic matter fuels intense microbial metabolism. Lakes rich in algae mats, aquatic vegetation, or dense shoreline growth—and those shallow enough to support high primary productivity—emit more methane.
A new study led by Marie Bulínová from the Arctic University of Norway reveals that microbial activity in Arctic lakes is powering a surge in methane emissions—a potent greenhouse gas about 25 times stronger than CO₂ over a century. By analyzing sediment cores and pore-water chemistry across ten lakes in Svalbard and Arctic Scandinavia, researchers discovered that methane production peaks within the top ~10 cm of sediment where fresh organic matter fuels intense microbial metabolism. Lakes rich in algae mats, aquatic vegetation, or dense shoreline growth—and those shallow enough to support high primary productivity—emit more methane.
