Analysis of CO2 Emission from Urban Soils of the Kola Peninsula (European Arctic)

Dynamics of soil CO2 emission, temperature, and moisture were studied during the vegetation season (from May to October) in 2021 and 2022 in the residential areas of Murmansk and Apatity cities (Murmansk oblast) in comparison with natural areas. The mean emissions from urban soils were 5–7 g C/(m2 day) in summer and 1–2 g C/(m2 day) in spring and fall. Temperature was the main abiogenic factor that determined the seasonal dynamics of soil respiration (R 2 from 0.4 to 0.7, p < 0.05; Q 10 temperature coefficient up to 2.5), while excess moisture had a limiting effect, especially in the natural areas. The heterogeneity of hydrothermal conditions and the content of biophilic elements determined the differences in the mean CO2 emission between natural and urban soils. For the natural soils, the mean temperature was lower and the moisture content was higher than for urban areas, which determined the lowest emission values. Among urban sites, higher CO2 emissions were found for tree and shrub vegetation sites.