江源科考“把脉”长江源区最大湿地

Core Insights - The research team from the Yangtze River Academy is conducting a comprehensive examination of the health status of the Chadan Wetland, focusing on the latest developments in permafrost thawing and greenhouse gas emissions [1][4]. Group 1: Research Activities - The Chadan Wetland, located in Yushu Prefecture, Qinghai Province, is the source of the southern tributary of the Yangtze River, the Dangqu [1]. - The research team is collecting water and sediment samples from the source of the Dangqu for physicochemical analysis to explore the sediment composition and runoff formation processes [2][3]. - The team is utilizing ground-penetrating radar to scan the land adjacent to the wetland, aiming to provide original data on the impact of climate change on the "groundwater-permafrost cycle" [4][5]. Group 2: Environmental Concerns - The wetland ecosystem, while rich in vegetation, is fragile and threatened by climate change, leading to degradation in some areas [3][4]. - Observations indicate a reduction in the thickness of permanent permafrost and an increase in seasonal permafrost thickness, with ongoing research to uncover more patterns [4][7]. - The melting of permafrost not only affects groundwater and surface water changes but also releases significant organic carbon, potentially exacerbating the greenhouse effect [7]. Group 3: Monitoring and Data Collection - The research team has established a long-term monitoring well from an abandoned water well to collect data on groundwater and permafrost relationships [4]. - Soil sensors are being used to monitor real-time soil temperature and moisture, contributing to the understanding of the relationship between vegetation, soil moisture, and permafrost degradation [4][6]. - Initial monitoring results show spatial differences in greenhouse gas emissions across the wetland, with melting thermal lakes identified as active "hotspots" for gas exchange [7].