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Methane fluxes from the sea to the atmosphere across the Siberian shelf seas
Author(s) -
Thornton Brett F.,
Geibel Marc C.,
Crill Patrick M.,
Humborg Christoph,
Mörth CarlMagnus
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
geophysical research letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.007
H-Index - 273
eISSN - 1944-8007
pISSN - 0094-8276
DOI - 10.1002/2016gl068977
Subject(s) - atmosphere (unit) , flux (metallurgy) , oceanography , geology , seawater , atmospheric sciences , turbulence , methane , climatology , sea ice , seafloor spreading , environmental science , meteorology , geography , chemistry , organic chemistry
The Laptev and East Siberian Seas have been proposed as a substantial source of methane (CH 4 ) to the atmosphere. During summer 2014, we made unique high‐resolution simultaneous measurements of CH 4 in the atmosphere above, and surface waters of, the Laptev and East Siberian Seas. Turbulence‐driven sea‐air fluxes along the ship's track were derived from these observations; an average diffusive flux of 2.99 mg m −2 d −1 was calculated for the Laptev Sea and for the ice‐free portions of the western East Siberian Sea, 3.80 mg m −2 d −1 . Although seafloor bubble plumes were observed at two locations in the study area, our calculations suggest that regionally, turbulence‐driven diffusive flux alone accounts for the observed atmospheric CH 4 enhancements, with only a local, limited role for bubble fluxes, in contrast to earlier reports. CH 4 in subice seawater in certain areas suggests that a short‐lived flux also occurs annually at ice‐out.