Siberia’s permafrost erosion has been worsening for years
Alfred Wegener Institute (AWI)
Published: 16 September 2020
Erosion of Siberia’s Sobo-Sise Cliff has tripled since the 1960s, releasing ~15,000 t of carbon and 1,000 t of nitrogen from permafrost into the Lena River. This carbon release could amplify climate change and disrupt Arctic river ecosystems.
Keywords: permafrost erosion, Lena River, carbon release, nitrogen, yedoma, climate change, AWI
Model comparison: Experts calculate future ice loss and the extent to which Greenland and the Antarctic will contribute to sea-level rise
Alfred Wegener Institute (AWI)
Published: 17 September 2020
The ISMIP6 project shows Greenland could raise sea levels by 9 cm by 2100 under high emissions. Antarctic estimates range from -7.8 cm to +30 cm, reflecting major model uncertainty—especially due to simplified ocean and snowfall assumptions.
Keywords: ISMIP6, sea-level rise, Greenland Ice Sheet, Antarctic Ice Sheet, ice-sheet modeling, climate change, CMIP5
Taking aim at tiny threats
Alfred Wegener Institute (AWI)
Published: 21 September 2020
AWI scientists propose standardized, cost-efficient methods to detect microplastics and introduce siMPle, open-source software that harmonizes FT-IR data analysis—enabling cross-lab comparability and supporting future monitoring efforts.
Keywords: microplastics, FT-IR spectroscopy, environmental monitoring, siMPle software, standardization, pollution, wastewater analysis
