Rock weathering can counteract river carbon dioxide emissions as permafrost degrades, according to research conducted in rivers on the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau. Credit: Liwei Zhang A study published in Nature suggests that thawing permafrost may have an unexpected effect on the carbon cycle. While melting frozen ground is widely known for releasing greenhouse gases, researchers found that it can also strengthen a natural process that removes carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) from the atmosphere. The research