Occurrence and stability of organic intercalation in clay minerals from permafrost-affected soils in the High Arctic – A case study from Spitsbergen (Svalbard)

Climate warming is responsible for many environmental changes in the Arctic, which lead to decomposition of soil organic matter (SOM) and emissions greenhouse gases from into atmosphere. Soil minerals play a crucial role SOM stabilization. However, little known about occurrence stability organo-mineral associations permafrost-affected soils Arctic. The main aims this study were: 1) determine potential within interlayers swelling clay central part Spitsbergen (Svalbard, High Arctic) 2) resistance intercalated against thermal chemical oxidation. obtained results indicate that 10% 15% carbon 30% 45% total nitrogen occurring fraction Arctic are minerals. We also report highly resistant both These findings should be taken consideration refinement climate models studies concerning thawing permafrost, mineralization,