Methane emissions discovered in Arctic Ocean
15.09.2012, 13:34
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 Photo: RIA Novosti |
Russian scientists have discovered spots in the Arctic Ocean where mass emissions of methane can be observed.
According to the press-service of the expedition aboard The Viktor Buinitsky research vessel, the diameter of some of the ‘methane fields’ found in the northern part of the Laptev Sea exceeds 1 kilometre.The new discoveries will help to understand the mechanism of global warming on Earth, experts believe. In their opinion, emissions of methane could have catastrophic consequences for the climate of our planet.
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The location of the Laptev Sea is indicated on the Wikipedia map below.
Below, methane level measurements for the period from September 7 to 12, 2012.
For comparison, the image below shows methane level measurements for the period from September 1 to 7, 2012. It shows there was less methane then, particularly in the region north of Siberia.
For more comparisons, see the recent post High September 2012 methane levels.
So, how serious is this? Well, have a look at the poster below (click to enlarge).
So, how serious is this? Well, have a look at the poster below (click to enlarge).
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| For background and for references, see this presentation |
Oddly (or perhaps not so oddly?) NOAA continues to maintain that the high methane readings they are measuring over Barrow are from "anthropogenic sources" because they come from air that is not local to Barrow. This is an assumption on their part only and they have not done the analysis of Carbon13 to Carbon12 ratio to really see what the source of the higher methane level is. Is NOAA in denial, or just not realizing how rapidly things might be changing in the Arctic?
ReplyDeleteOh, I think most NOAA scientists are quite aware of the dangers, but there just is very little funding to even do some of the basic research, testing and monitoring regarding methane from subsea sediments. What's needed desperately now is a firm commitment all over the world to comprehensive action, including the much-needed research, testing and monitoring.
DeleteSam the introductory statement to second Giovanni data map needs checking for detail. Caption doesn't match. Thanks
ReplyDeleteGood that you noticed that something didn't add up, Dale, in my haste I had pasted in the 2011 image for early September, rather than the 2012 one. I have now put the 2012 image in the post. Thanks for commenting.
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