#RMS_039

In the Arctic regions, vast amounts of organic carbon are stored in permafrost, ground that has remained frozen for millennia. As global temperatures rise, this frozen soil begins to thaw, reanimating dormant microbes that metabolize the decaying organic matter buried within. This biological process results in the release of greenhouse gases, specifically carbon dioxide and methane, into the atmosphere. Although carbon dioxide is more prevalent, methane poses a specific threat because its capacity to trap heat in the atmosphere is substantially greater than that of carbon dioxide over a short timeframe. This phenomenon establishes a self-reinforcing cycle known as a positive feedback loop: the released gases intensify global warming, which subsequently speeds up the thawing of additional permafrost. Therefore, the Arctic permafrost, which has historically acted as a carbon sink by sequestering organic material, risks transforming into a significant emitter. This shift complicates climate predictions, as the precise rate at which these gases will be released remains difficult to quantify. What is the primary consequence of permafrost thawing described in the text?