Interview: "Glacial retreat exposes new soils and sediments which may act as significant sources of nitrogen"

In this interview, iC3 postdoctoral researcher Laura Rasmussen discusses her work on nitrogen dynamics in Arctic landscapes, the fieldwork she has conducted in glacial valleys, her vision of science, and her interests outside of science. 

Can you describe yourself briefly and what is the focus of your research?

My name is Laura, and I am an MSCA postdoc at iC3. My work focuses on understanding nitrogen dynamics in Arctic landscapes, particularly in soils and sediments adjacent to glacial rivers. Nitrogen is a critical nutrient for ecosystems, and fjords in Arctic regions are often nitrogen-limited. Understanding how nitrogen is released and transported from recently deglaciated landscapes into rivers and fjords is essential for predicting how these ecosystems will respond to climate change. As glaciers retreat, they expose new soils and sediments, which may act as significant sources of nitrogen. My research aims to determine whether these landscapes are already contributing to nitrogen fluxes and how this might evolve in the future.

Photo credits: Tim Kalvelage

What is your regional focus for this research?

Our main study site is Steindalsbreen in Lyngen, Northern Norway. This area experiences significant freeze-thaw cycling during winter, which can increase nitrogen release from soils and sediments. We also study a high Arctic site in Ny-Ålesund, Svalbard, which has more stable cold winters and different geological composition of the sediment. These contrasting sites allow us to investigate how nitrogen movement varies with geological setting and environmental conditions, such as soil age or time since deglaciation, and winter regimes.

Photo credits: Tim Kalvelage

How does your previous research relate to your current work?

My PhD research centered on permafrost biogeochemistry, specifically studying tundra nitrogen movement and developing biochemical techniques to detect and model it. After that, I worked on a postdoc fellowship in Sweden, studying the impact of winter warming events on nitrogen cycling in tundra soils. I found out that extreme winter warming events release nitrogen that microbes immobilize, reducing its availability for plants in spring. These experiences have shaped my current research focus on nitrogen dynamics in Arctic landscapes and the role of winter processes in nutrient cycling and export.

Have you always been attracted to a career in science?

Not intentionally, but my early experiences as a field assistant in Northeast Greenland sparked my interest. I was hired for fieldwork during the summer after my first year of studies, and it became a recurring activity. Being immersed in Arctic landscapes and working with scientists inspired me to pursue research. I enjoy the variability in my work, from fieldwork and lab analysis to teaching and collaborating with students. It wasn’t a deliberate choice, but science has become a good fit for me.

Can you describe a particularly memorable moment or breakthrough in your research?

During fieldwork in Zackenberg, Northeast Greenland, I discovered water emerging from the soil, which turned out to be a developing thermokarst system due to the melt of a large volume of massive ice in the soil. Observing the collapse of ice-rich ground and realizing that it was up to me to design measurements to study it was a defining moment. It was one of the first times I independently identified and investigated a phenomenon, and the data later contributed to a published paper. I still vividly remember looking down into the crack in the ground and seeing solid ice beneath the soil—it was fascinating.

Photo credits: Hannah Modin

How do you see the future of science in your field?

I believe there will be increasing focus on off-season processes, such as winter warming events, and their role in nitrogen cycling. These phenomena are underexplored but critical for understanding Arctic ecosystems, especially as climate change accelerates. I feel like I’m just scratching the surface, and there’s so much more to uncover.

If you could change one thing in science, what would it be?

I would reform the publishing system. The current model, where tax payers via researchers pay to publish and later to access their own work, is inefficient and unfair. Scientists should be evaluated differently, and research should be more accessible to the public.

What does an ideal day off look like for you?

Spending time outdoors, hiking along a coast or in the mountains, and exploring new places with good company. I also enjoy rock climbing, running, hiking, and skiing. I also play music—mostly the bass and ukulele—and sing in a folk music choir in Copenhagen.

Photo credits: Niclas Janssen

If you could travel anywhere in the world right now, where would it be?

For work, I’d love to visit Antarctica to study its dry valleys and soils. For pleasure, I’d explore a tropical rainforest or the Galápagos Islands—places vastly different from the Arctic landscapes I’m used to.

Do you have a motto or guiding principle?

Something I try to keep in mind is that "People are people." Individuals and not representatives of any “boxes” they might fit into. I try my best to meet people without assumptions or stereotypes, and let them fill out the blanks themselves.

Laura Rasmussen is a MSCA postdoc working at the iC3 Polar Research Hub in Tromsø, the capital of the Arctic. To find out more about her work, please check out her list of publications, or contact her by email.

If you’re interested in joining iC3 as a postdoc, get in touch—we provide strong support to candidates to help them write winning MSCA proposals. Find out more here.