A few days ago, a scientific report published in Scientific Reports 7 (article number 5828 of 2017) led to more than alarming conclusions. Methane trapped in the Arctic permafrost is being released. To understand the seriousness of this event, we must first consider that these are pockets of methane gas trapped in ice that, once thawed, thaw permanently. The release of methane gas has a powerful greenhouse effect. It is 20 to 30 times more potent and negative than carbon dioxide.
According to statistical studies, methane gas is the third leading cause of global temperature rise. The problem here lies in the release of that methane that was trapped and accumulated beneath the ice, which is now being released. Discontinuous permafrost, so named because of its differences with the more recent frozen layers, formed in the Pleistocene. The impact this may have will be significant due to its feedback effect. The released methane gas increases warming, which increases thawing, which increases the release of methane gas from areas that will not refreeze, etc.
How does the study was realized?
The study, which was conducted in the 13.000km2 Mackenzine delta. It is the second arctic delta. The studied area was 320km from west to east and 240km from north to south. Measurements were taken aboard the Polar 5 spacecraft from the Alfred Wegener Helmholtz Institute, Center for Polar Sciences and Maribas. Although the study is recently published, the period that the study lasted on the aircraft was between 2012 and 2013. Including a total of 5 flight days and 44 flight routes for the first year, and 7 flight days plus 40 routes the second year.
The spacecraft measurements were made with a 3 meter nose header, including a 5-hole probe to measure the 3D wind vector that was mounted on the front of the aircraft. The sample air was drawn from an inlet above the cabin, and only methane gas concentrations were analyzed on an RMT-200 in 2012. In 2013, it was analyzed in a Fast Greenhouse Gas analyzer FGG24EP, for both methane gas, carbon dioxide and water vapor.
What conclusions is drawn from the study?
The study was conducted in the discontinuous permafrost of the Mackenzie Delta, Canada. The strong methane gas emissions being experienced were measured across 10.000 km2. It was shown that the permafrost acts as a large layer of ice that stores mineral and fossil resources. This phenomenon is related to the thawing of permafrost and its consequences.
Permafrost thinning
First, the thinning of permafrost in a warmer climate may not only result in increased emissions of biogenic methane gas, but also in increased emissions of geological methane gas, which is currently trapped beneath the continuous, thick permafrost. As new emission pathways open up due to thawing permafrost, to learn more about the impact of permafrost, you can consult more information.
Thawed permafrost in Alaska. Photo provided by NASA
There are more areas apart from the one studied with similar conditions
Second, other Arctic regions with natural gas and oil reserves, currently obscured by continuous permafrost, could be included in addressing future methane emissions if the continued thawing of permafrost continues. This process could have a significant global impact, as mentioned in the analysis on the negative effects of melting ice on the planet.
Feedback effect
Third, the scientists' results indicate that geological emissions of methane gas can contribute significantly to the Permafrost-Carbon-Climate feedback effect (more technically). This is especially true in permafrost areas that are vulnerable to thawing and therefore deserve more attention. This phenomenon can be observed in a broader context related to the climate change.
The havoc that global warming is causing are increasingly evident in all countries. The question is whether it will be enough just to reduce CO2 emissions, or will more have to be done about it. The vicious circle that is being entered, it seems that it is not going to stop just like that.
