The Biohazard Risks of Thawing Arctic Permafrost: A Growing Concern for Global Health and Climate Stability

The current pandemic has inflicted relentless harm and destruction on the global community, a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities we face. However, experts believe that climate change, particularly the melting of Arctic permafrost, may pose even greater threats in the future, both to our environment and public health.

The Melting of Permafrost and Its Potential Lasting Effects
Originally posted on 22 Nov 2020 by chloewagner24

Recent concerns have been raised about the biohazard risks associated with the thawing of Arctic permafrost. As permafrost melts, it releases not only greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide and methane but also potentially dangerous microbes. This phenomenon could have far-reaching consequences, accelerating climate change and presenting new health challenges.

Understanding Permafrost

Permafrost is a thick layer of soil that remains frozen throughout the year, predominantly found in polar regions. This frozen layer houses a variety of frozen microorganisms and fossil fuels. The thawing of permafrost is not just a local issue; it has the potential to globally impact our climate and health. According to climate scientist Dr. Romanovsky, part of the material frozen for thousands of years is no longer continuously frozen. This suggests that the thawing process has already begun and is likely to accelerate in the coming decades.

Microbes Resurfacing: A Real Concern

The thawing of permafrost not only releases greenhouse gases but also potentially threatening microbes. These microbes do not need the complete thawing of the ice to come back to life. In an article by Zach Boren for Green Peace, climate scientist Dr. Romanovsky warns that these microbes, which have been frozen for thousands of years, may awaken and move towards taliks (thawed zones) where it is less likely to refreeze.

The potential viral outbreaks are not limited to known pathogens like Smallpox, the Plague, and Anthrax, which already have associated vaccines or antibiotics. However, there have already been cases where this phenomenon has been observed. In 2016, a child died in Russia after an anthrax outbreak that scientists linked to the bodies of infected reindeer that had been buried for 70 years.

Additional Risks Beyond Viral Outbreaks

But the dangers of thawing permafrost extend beyond the resurgence of known viruses. In the article “As Permafrost Melts, It’s Unleashing Ancient Viruses, Carbon – And Now Fuel Spills,” Jean-Philippe C… discussed the potential for fuel spills resulting from thawed permafrost.

The irregular temperature patterns caused by permafrost thaw could lead to increased oil and gas pipeline failures, posing additional risks to both the environment and public health.

Conclusion

The melting of Arctic permafrost is a complex and multifaceted issue with far-reaching implications. While we need to tackle this issue with urgency, the good news is that there is still hope. By raising awareness and implementing precautionary measures, we can work towards mitigating the worst impacts of permafrost thaw and safeguarding our global health and climate stability.