Laughing gas and Glaciers

One of the projects of the 2025 expedition is about nitrogen biogeochemistry beneath large polythermal glaciers. The study required careful sampling of the waters coming from the glaciers and other water sources, and the samples having been recovered from the field are sent for detailed laboratory analysis.

Von Postbreen - a large glacier from the Fimbulisen ice cap - site of key sampling locations. Image ©Mike Haynes

The project work is part of the already established, and Research Council of Norway-funded, GlaciGas project by Prof Andy Hodson of UNIS.

The project is looking to understand whether the larger glaciers of Svalbard, like the Von Postbreen, are generating nitrous oxide gas - a potent climate changer, also known as laughing gas - which it has been established in other research is taking place associated with smaller glaciers. If this is the case, there are implications for the gas release as well as for the flora and fauna with the change in the presence of nitrogen in the local environment of the glaciers. Neither of which are laughing matters. The key research questions that this work seeks to answer are therefore:

1. What is the net impact of meltwater passage through high rock-water contact environments in Svalbard glaciers upon the nitrate content of runoff?

2. Do either nitrification or denitrification occur and do they produce nitrous oxide?

3. What is the source of the additional nitrogen: snowpack ammonium, rock (such as shale) or organic matter?

Projects like this fit into the Arctic Research Group philosophy of extending existing environmental research projects further, by the provision of additional volunteer fieldwork teams to gather data or samples. Researchers provide clear, detailed instructions regarding the required fieldwork process as well as the necessary equipment for the task, and the volunteers can then carry the work out on the researchers behalf.