Rock weathering can counteract river CO₂ emissions induced by permafrost thaw

Rock weathering on the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau is increasing due to permafrost thaw, a process that simultaneously reduces carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions into rivers. This finding, published in Nature on June 17, 2026, suggests that geological carbon fluxes driven by weathering could eventually surpass the CO2 emissions released by thawing permafrost. The research indicates that as permafrost thaws, it exposes more rock surfaces to chemical weathering. This weathering process consumes atmospheric CO2, effectively acting as a carbon sink. While permafrost thaw releases stored carbon, the enhanced rock weathering offers a counterbalancing mechanism. The study highlights the complex feedback loops within Earth's climate system, where warming-induced changes in one area can trigger geological processes that mitigate some of the initial warming effects. The implications of this discovery are significant for understanding global carbon cycles and predicting future climate trajectories, particularly in Arctic and high-altitude regions experiencing rapid permafrost degradation.