The results of recent studies conducted on permafrost in Antarctic regions will be presented
On Friday 5 May 2023, from 15 pm, the Final Conference of the SENECA Project (SourcE and impact of greeNhousE gasses in AntarctiCA), funded by the National Research Program will be held at the headquarters of the National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology (INGV) in Antarctica (PNRA) and coordinated by INGV, in collaboration with New Zealand.
Recent studies of permafrost in the Arctic and Antarctic regions have shown that these areas store the largest natural carbon sinks currently in the world.
In particular, the scientists found that the expected gradual thawing of permafrost has the potential to release a large amount of greenhouse gases (CO2 and CH4) into the atmosphere which, at present, are not evaluated in climate studies.
The SENECA project aims to provide first assessments of gas concentrations and emissions from permafrost and/or thawing of surface soil layers and to derive a first estimate of CO2 and CH4 emission in the southern polar hemisphere.
The results obtained can also be used to evaluate new problems and opportunities, such as how the Antarctic environment can increase global temperatures on a permanent and temporal scale.
The project participants and Prof. Gary Wilson, responsible for New Zealand, will be present at the event.
Useful links
TGweb GEOSCIENCES News - The SENECA project - Origin and impact of greenhouse gases in Antarctica
RESEARCHITALY | Climate, important evidence on permafrost outgassing in Antarctica
PNRA | Origin and impact of greenhouse gases in Antarctica
NatureItaly | Antarctic permafrost releases more greenhouse gases than expected
