RU2: Methane, nutrients and carbon
Melting ice sheets discharge large volumes of water and sediments into glacial margins and oceans. The released organic and inorganic matter includes nutrients, heavy metals, and greenhouse gases that will impact surrounding environments and the global climate. However, our current scientific understanding on such impacts remains very limited.
To close this knowledge gap, we are monitoring greenhouse gases, nutrients, and organic carbon released in glacial runoff and recently deglaciated areas in Greenland and Svalbard over a period of ten years. We are studying how the different compounds interact and investigating how they are cycled by microbes. We are modelling how these processes play out on a global level. Our goal is to produce the first reliable model of how nutrients and carbon in ice sheet forefields will affect the global climate.
Research Leads
Dr Guillaume Lamarche-Gagnon
RU2 Research Lead
Guillaume Lamarche-Gagnon is a researcher at UiT - The Arctic University of Norway and lead of RU2: How are methane, nutrient and organic carbon exported from ice sheets? within iC3. A cross between an environmental microbiologist and glacial biogeochemist, his interests lie in understanding the interplay between the biological, geological, and hydrological interfaces within the cryosphere. Guillaume has led and participated in many science campaigns across the (sub)Arctic (Canada, Greenland, Svalbard, Iceland, Norway) and high mountain regions (Peruvian Andes and Indian Himalayas). He has researched both poles, with work ranging from better understanding microbial adaptability in extreme permafrost environments to monitoring the hydrochemistry of glacial meltwater and methane emissions from beneath the Greenland Ice Sheet. As part of iC3, a big focus of his work will be investigating whether or not glacial systems are important methane sources to the atmosphere and what conditions regulate or dictate such (lack of) emissions. Guillaume firmly believes in open and F.A.I.R. science, and in the importance of increasing accessibility and inclusivity in Arctic research especially.
Associate Professor Jon Hawkings
RU2 Assistant Research Lead
Jon Hawkings is an Assistant Professor at the University of Pennsylvania, Adjunct Associate Professor at UiT, and assistant lead of RU2 “Landward carbon fate” within iC3. Jon is a biogeochemist with a broad interest in the cycling of elements through the Earth system. His current research focuses on the role of glacial meltwater in downstream biogeochemical cycles. He takes particular interest in the potential of meltwater to influence the structure and productivity of ecosystems, subglacial biogeochemical weathering processes and their influence on carbon cycling, and the mobilization of nutrients and toxic elements in freshwater environments and export to coastal ecosystems. In the past he has been involved with research ranging from biogeochemistry of supraglacial (surface ice) environments (cryoconite – “ice dust”), to ice sheet hydrology (the flow of water and sediment through glaciers) and water quality of groundwater aquifers in the Bahamas.
Dr Gabrielle Kleber
RU2 postdoctoral researcher
Gabrielle Kleber is a postdoctoral researcher specializing in glacial biogeochemistry and climate change. Her current research focuses on the dynamics of methane emissions from marine-terminating glaciers and glacial rivers, examining how these processes contribute to climate change through subsea environments and glacial drainage systems. She collaborates on projects such as METHANICE, which investigates microbial methane cycling in extreme environments, and GlaciGas, which studies subsea methane release. These projects aim to uncover the complex interactions between glacial systems and greenhouse gas emissions. Gabrielle earned her PhD at the University of Cambridge, where she focused on methane emissions from groundwater springs in glacier forefields. Her doctoral research was pivotal in understanding the mechanisms by which methane is transported from beneath glaciers, highlighting a positive feedback loop that accelerates climate change. This work emphasized the significance of glacier dynamics beyond the commonly discussed issue of sea level rise. She has spent significant time conducting fieldwork on Svalbard, leveraging its unique accessibility to diverse research sites. Her work on Svalbard is crucial for understanding the broader implications of glacier retreat and its impact on methane emissions. Outside her scientific pursuits, Kleber enjoys outdoor activities like hiking and skiing, and she cherishes the freedom to explore the Arctic landscapes.
Dr Fanny Cusset
RU2 and RU3 postdoctoral researcher
Fanny Cusset is a dedicated scientist, specialized in marine ecology and ecotoxicology. Currently a postdoctoral researcher at the Norwegian Polar Institute (NPI), she is involved in the iC3-affiliated project “METALLICA”, which investigates the release of metals from glaciers and their impact on marine ecosystems in Arctic fjords. Focusing on Svalbard, her research examines how toxic metals bioaccumulate in marine biota, from primary producers to top predators, as well as the drivers of metal contamination in a changing Arctic. Understanding the ecological consequences of glacial melt on Arctic ecosystems and resources is crucial for informing conservation strategies today and in the future. Fanny's academic journey began in Marseille, France, where she pursued a Bachelor's degree in biological oceanography. She expanded her expertise in Canada at Laval University, engaging in Arctic research that explored the relationships between sea ice and marine life, using stable isotopes and lipids as ecological tracers. Her master's and PhD work further delved into marine ecology and ecotoxicology, with a focus on mercury contamination in remote oceans and how seabirds can act as bioindicators of global marine ecosystems. Beyond her scientific pursuits, Fanny has taught at various institutions and participated in Arctic Ocean cruises, gaining diverse experiences in polar research. Her passion for marine science was sparked by an early fascination with whales, which continues to inspire her work today.
Silje Waaler
RU2 and RU3 PhD student
Silje Waaler is a researcher specializing in the environmental impacts of glacial rock flour on marine ecosystems. Currently, she is part of the MSCA Doctoral Network - ICEBIO, an European initiative focused on understanding the biogeochemical and microbiological interactions associated with glaciers. Her research aims to explore how nutrients and trace metals from glacial rock flour affect downstream environments. Silje's work is crucial in the context of climate change, as it seeks to unravel the complex dynamics between melting glaciers and their ecological consequences. By examining the export of trace metals from glaciers to downstream systems, she contributes to a broader understanding of how these processes influence marine life and water quality. Her research is particularly relevant as global temperatures rise and glacial retreat accelerates, posing significant challenges to ecosystems worldwide. Beyond her scientific pursuits, Silje Waaler is an avid sailor, enjoying the freedom and adventure of navigating the seas. She also has a rich musical background, having played the mandolin in a folk band that won a Danish Music Award. Her diverse interests and experiences enrich her contributions to science and her personal life.
Leonard Magerl
RU2 PhD student
Leonard Magerl is an iC3 PhD student focusing on glacier biogeochemistry. Since joining UiT in March 2022, he is investigating how glaciers and their underlying bedrock geology impact nutrient and trace element delivery from ice to downstream ecosystems. Leonard holds a BSc in Geoecology from the University of Tübingen (Germany) and a MSc in Environmental Change and Management from the University of Oxford (UK). For his MSc thesis, he investigated sub-sea-ice methane concentrations in front of marine terminating glaciers on Svalbard.
Joost Van Genuchten
RU2 PhD student
Joost van Genuchten is a PhD candidate at iC3, specializing in carbon and methane cycling. His research is centered on proglacial lakes in Greenland, aiming to unravel the dynamics behind methane emissions from newly deglaciated terrains. Understanding these emissions is vital for evaluating their impact on climate change, as they are currently unaccounted for in global carbon budgets and may be overlooked. Originally from the Netherlands, Joost pursued his studies at the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, where he focused on hydrology. In Switzerland, his interests further deepened in cryospheric systems, particularly glaciers and ice sheets. Before embarking on his PhD journey, Joost gained experience through positions related to environmental science, including an internship, where he worked on coastal permafrost degradation in the Canadian Arctic. In addition, he gained valuable experience as a researcher on soil and groundwater dynamics before beginning his work with iC3. Outside of work, Joost enjoys adventure sports such as climbing and hiking. Living in Norway, he appreciates the vast natural landscapes and the opportunities for exploration they offer. Joost is excited to experience the full scientific process in the coming years, from defining research questions, collecting field samples, to analysing data and drawing meaningful conclusions.
Early Career Scientists
Postdoctoral Fellowships
iC3 offers a friendly and supportive working environment to early career researchers who are passionate about polar science.
