Graph Of The Day - Methane Fluxes Emerging From E. Siberian Arctic Shelf

[hatrack]

Summertime observations of dissolved CH4 in the East Siberian Arctic Shelf (ESAS) (21). … (D) Fluxes of CH4 venting to the atmosphere over the ESAS.

Remobilization to the atmosphere of only a small fraction of the methane held in East Siberian Arctic Shelf (ESAS) sediments could trigger abrupt climate warming, yet it is believed that sub-sea permafrost acts as a lid to keep this shallow methane reservoir in place. Here, we show that more than 5000 at-sea observations of dissolved methane demonstrates that greater than 80% of ESAS bottom waters and greater than 50% of surface waters are supersaturated with methane regarding to the atmosphere. The current atmospheric venting flux, which is composed of a diffusive component and a gradual ebullition component, is on par with previous estimates of methane venting from the entire World Ocean. Leakage of methane through shallow ESAS waters needs to be considered in interactions between the biogeosphere and a warming Arctic climate.

EDIT

Natalia Shakhova, et al, Extensive Methane Venting to the Atmosphere from Sediments of the East Siberian Arctic Shelf, Science 5 March 2010:
Vol. 327. no. 5970, pp. 1246 – 1250, DOI: 10.1126/science.1182221

http://www.desdemonadespair.net/

http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/full/327/5970/1246

[damntexdem]

1. Oh, boy, here we go!

Methane is much, much worse than carbon dioxide. We're in for it.

At least we'll show up the Global Warming/Climate Change deniers fairly soon, as we all tread water.

[phantom power]

2. Remobilization to the atmosphere!

:woohoo:

[Nihil]

3. K & R for visibility (n/t)

:wow: