Nitrogen Redox Controls on Greenhouse Gas Production in Yedoma Taliks

Large carbon and nitrogen pools are disproportionately concentrated in the icy, Pleistocene-aged silt deposits of Arctic Yedoma permafrost. Upon thaw, these undergo microbial mineralization, releasing greenhouse gases (GHGs) including carbon dioxide (CO₂), methane (CH₄), and nitrous oxide (N₂O). Here, we present combined geochemical data with microbial function and community dynamics from deep (7-m) talik soil boreholes in water-unsaturated yedoma upland in interior Alaska. Our results reveal significant in situ seasonal shifts in microbial function, community composition, and diversity throughout the talik. Methanogenesis persisted in the deep talik year-round. Winter methanotrophy was negligible within and above the methanogenic zone, leading to elevated CH₄ production and emission to the atmosphere. This is likely due to reduced microbial methanotrophic activity associated with lower temperatures and nitrogen availability. During summer, strong aerobic methanotrophy near the soil surface reduced CH₄ emissions. Nitrate/nitrite-mediated anaerobic oxidation of methane (AOM) by both archaea (ANME-2d clade) and bacteria (NC10 phylum) occurred at and above the anoxic methanogenic zone, further offsetting CH₄ production. In contrast to CH4 production potentials, which were higher in surface soils in winter compared to summer, we observed higher N₂O production potentials in summer compared to winter. Nitrous oxide concentrations peaked at 10 cm (7.2 μM) and 105 cm (6.7 μM) and were associated with denitrification; nitrogen-mediated AOM by Methanoperedens (ANME2d). In the summer only and within the top 1 m of soil, high expression of nitrogen-related genes (narG, norB, amoA, Annamox, and Feammox) indicated active redox dynamics, potentially providing nitrogen species for AOM. The potential N₂O production in summer may imply higher net GHG emissions from yedoma uplands as climate change leads to longer summers and warmer soils in the future.