Articles | Volume 19, issue 9
https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-19-3693-2025
© Author(s) 2025. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-19-3693-2025
© Author(s) 2025. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Research article
| 
11 Sep 2025
Research article |
| 11 Sep 2025
| 11 Sep 2025
Model-based analysis of solute transport and potential carbon mineralization in the active layer of a hillslope underlain by permafrost with seasonal variability and climate change
Alexandra Hamm
Department of Physical Geography, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
Bolin Centre for Climate Research, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
Erik Schytt Mannerfelt
Department of Geosciences, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
Aaron A. Mohammed
Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY 13244, USA
Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY 13244, USA
Scott L. Painter
Climate Change Science Institute and Environmental Sciences Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN 37830, USA
Ethan T. Coon
Climate Change Science Institute and Environmental Sciences Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN 37830, USA
Andrew Frampton
CORRESPONDING AUTHOR
Department of Physical Geography, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
Bolin Centre for Climate Research, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
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Short summary
The fate of thawing permafrost carbon is essential for understanding the permafrost–climate feedback and projections of future climate. Here we study transport of organic carbon by groundwater in the active layer of a hillslope model. We find that carbon transport velocities and microbial mineralization rates are strongly dependent on liquid saturation in the seasonally thawed active layer. In a warming climate, the rate at which permafrost thaws determines how fast carbon can be transported.
The fate of thawing permafrost carbon is essential for understanding the permafrost–climate...
