Canadian Rockies face climate crisis as warming accelerates weathering

In Canada, particularly in the Arctic region, researchers are uncovering significant climate feedback loops driven by the weathering of sulfide minerals like pyrite. As temperatures rise, Arctic permafrost thaws, exposing more rocks to atmospheric conditions. This exposure accelerates the weathering process, causing increased emissions of sulfate and carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. Notably, from 1960 to 2020, the rate of sulfide weathering surged by 45% alongside a temperature rise of 2.3 degrees Celsius. The study indicates that these chemical reactions are most rapid in mountainous areas where frost cracking occurs, allowing water to penetrate rocks and enhance weathering. In contrast, lowland regions experience slower rates due to a protective layer of peat. However, the exact timescales of these responses remain largely unknown, making it challenging to predict future climatic changes accurately. Additionally, the concerns raised extend to the potential for similar weathering reactions in regions affected by deforestation and land-use changes, such as the European Alps. The necessity for research into mitigation strategies arises from the likelihood that these emissions could compound existing greenhouse gas releases from thawing permafrost. The urgency to understand and slow these feedback loops is critical for forecasting impacts of climate change, with scientists continuing to search for effective solutions that could address the dual challenge of emissions and environmental preservation.