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Ancient Permafrost Microbes Revived: Climate Change Concerns Rise

10/12/2025

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Summary

Story summary

Researchers at the University of Colorado Boulder revived ancient microbes from Alaskan permafrost.
Some microbes were trapped for 40,000 years in the permafrost.
These microbes can break down organic matter and release carbon dioxide and methane.
As climate change warms the Arctic, permafrost thaw could trigger a feedback loop that increases emissions.
The findings were published in the Journal of Geophysical Research: Biogeosciences.

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Story summary

Researchers at the University of Colorado Boulder revived ancient microbes from Alaskan permafrost.
Some microbes were trapped for 40,000 years in the permafrost.
These microbes can break down organic matter and release carbon dioxide and methane.
As climate change warms the Arctic, permafrost thaw could trigger a feedback loop that increases emissions.
The findings were published in the Journal of Geophysical Research: Biogeosciences.