Interview: "I'm exploring the dynamics behind methane emissions from proglacial lakes in Greenland"

In this interview, PhD researcher Joost van Genuchten shares insights into his work on carbon and methane cycling in Greenland's proglacial lakes, as well as his love for adventure sports like climbing and hiking in Norway's stunning landscapes.

First of all, can you describe yourself briefly, what you're doing here, and why it is important? How is it related to what iC3 is doing?

My name is Joost van Genuchten and as a PhD candidate at iC3 I am focusing on carbon and methane cycling. My research centers on proglacial lakes in Greenland, with the goal of understanding the dynamics behind methane emissions that derive from these newly deglaciated terrains. Insights into these emissions are crucial for assessing their impact on climate change. They are currently not accounted for in global carbon budgets and thus potentially overlooked. I started my PhD last September and I am very excited by the opportunity to explore this fascinating topic. iC3 provides an incredible base to tackle these environmental challenges, perfectly aligning with my passion.

Picture: Joost Van Genuchten and Guillaume Lamarche-Gagnon (Joost's PhD supervisor) training on a lake in Norway (credit: Marie Bulínová)

Why is it important? What are these greenhouse gases doing?

Greenhouse gases have the potential to accelerate climate warming by trapping energy in the atmosphere. Understanding why and how much methane is emitted from these ice-marginal terrains is important for predicting its contribution to climate change. As ice masses recede, more and more proglacial lakes can appear, potentially increasing their significance in the future. Our research aims to investigate the magnitude and the drivers behind these emissions.

The Greenlandic lakes you are studying—are they subglacial lakes?

That's a great question. The name indeed refers to the location of the lakes, but it indicates that they are situated in front of the glacier rather than beneath. Glacial activity created depressions that enabled these lakes to form. Some of them are connected to the meltwater streams, while others are not. Our research aims to distinguish between these types and to understand their dynamics. In addition, the lakes can possibly provide insights into the subglacial environment as analogues.

Where are you from, and where did you study for your bachelor and master degrees?

Originally, I am from Gorinchem, a small town in the Netherlands, about half the size of Tromsø. The name is quite a tongue-twister if you're not Dutch, so for now, let's say Amsterdam, where I lived during my studies. Initially, I followed a more biomedical and health related path during my bachelors, but I realized I wanted to focus more on environmental issues. Hydrology fascinated me because of its critical role in our everyday life, such as weather, agriculture, and freshwater reserves. Besides, the Netherlands have a long history managing waters, which sparked my interest while growing up.

In the last year of your studies, you did an Erasmus+ exchange. What was that like?

During my exchange in Switzerland, I was able to learn about cryospheric systems, like glaciers and ice sheets. I was surprised by how little focus these systems received in my master’s curriculum, especially considering that nearly 70% of the Earth's freshwater is stored in ice caps and glaciers. Given the rapid changes in these systems due to current climate conditions, I was fascinated from the beginning. Switzerland, with its many glaciers, was the perfect place to dive into this subject.

Photo credit: Joost van Genuchten

Before starting your PhD, where did you work?

During an internship at the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, I worked with on coastal permafrost degradation in the Canadian Arctic. This time is very valuable to me and laid the foundation for my current research interests. I gained lab experience and on top of everything I was lucky enough to be able to join a field campaign in Northern Canada. I was hooked from then on to Arctic science.

How is living in Norway compared to the Netherlands? What do you miss from your country, or what do you not miss?

Friends and family, I absolutely miss the most, but I love the space and nature in Norway. It's less densely packed than the Netherlands, offering countless adventures in the mountains.

When you're not at work, where can we find you?

I enjoy sports such as climbing, hiking and kayaking. At the moment I'm particularly keen on climbing.

What's one thing you're looking forward to in the next year?

Professionally, I'm excited to experience the full scientific process from start to finish: defining the problem, acquiring the field samples, analyzing them back in the lab and working on the data to, in the end, answer the questions that we have.

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Joost van Genuchten is an iC3 PhD student in at the Arctic University of Norway in Tromsø, the capital of the Arctic. To find out more about his work, please check out his list of publications, or contact him by email.

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