Scientists have made a startling discovery in the Democratic Republic of Congo that could have major implications for global climate patterns. Research shows that two massive lakes in the region are releasing carbon that has been trapped in nearby peatlands for millennia.
The study, conducted by researchers at ETH Zurich university and published in Nature Geoscience, reveals that Lakes Mai Ndombe and Tumba are emitting carbon dioxide from peat deposits that are more than 3,000 years old. This ancient carbon accounts for as much as 40% of the CO2 emissions coming from these water bodies, rather than from recently decomposed plant material as previously thought.
“We were surprised to find that ancient carbon is being released via the lake,” stated lead researcher Travis Drake.
Co-author Matti Barthel explained the significance of the discovery, saying, “The carbon reservoir has a leak, so to speak, from which ancient carbon is escaping.”
The research team has not yet determined exactly how this ancient carbon travels from the peatlands into the lake systems. However, they warn that the process could accelerate due to climate change or human activities like converting forests to farmland, which creates drier conditions.
Peat forms when dead plant material accumulates in waterlogged conditions where it cannot decompose. When these areas dry out, microorganisms that break down organic matter become active again, releasing stored carbon back into the atmosphere.
The Congo Basin’s wetlands and peatlands occupy just 0.3% of Earth’s land area, yet they contain one-third of all carbon stored in tropical peatlands worldwide, making the region a critical global carbon storage site.
Despite its importance, the Congo Basin remains among the world’s most under-researched major forest systems. Scientists emphasize that extensive additional study is required to understand how these vital ecosystems are being affected by environmental changes.
