Details of Award
NERC Reference : NE/C000706/1
Sources of methane to the coastal Arctic Ocean
Grant Award
- Principal Investigator:
- Professor R Upstill-Goddard, Newcastle University, Marine Science and Technology
- Co-Investigator:
- Dr V Kitidis, Newcastle University, Marine Science and Technology
- Grant held at:
- Newcastle University, Marine Science and Technology
- Science Area:
- Marine
- Atmospheric
- Overall Classification:
- Marine
- ENRIs:
- Global Change
- Science Topics:
- Biogeochemical Cycles
- Ocean - Atmosphere Interact.
- Climate & Climate Change
- Abstract:
- Methane is an important greenhouse gas and plays several important roles in atmospheric chemistry. A covariance of methane and temperature on glacial-interglacial timescales provides evidence for a potential role for methane in past large climate shifts. One region in which the link between methane and global climate may be especially strong and involve strong feedbacks is the Arctic. One aspect of this involves the potential warming-induced destabilisation of methane hydrates on the Arctic Ocean continental shelf/slope, notably on the Siberian shelf. Although there is evidence for periodic methane out-gassing in the geologic past there is no information on current out-gassing and whether or not this may impact the troposphere via sea-air exchange. A second aspect relates to increased precipitation across the pan-Antarctic drainage basin in response to rising temperatures, resulting in increased river/ terrigenous inputs to the Arctic Ocean. These inputs are increasing, impacting Arctic Ocean physics and biogeochemistry. The major river inputs are from northern Eurasia, and drain the world's largest continuous wetland, a globally important source of methane to the atmosphere. Although most of this methane will vent directly to air, based on past evidence a significant riverine flux to the coastal Arctic seems likely. As for the potential hydrate methane sources however, relevant data are lacking. Even preliminary data on the methane distribution in Arctic waters would be of value in helping resolve these issues. Additional data on methane isotopic signatures would give additional insight through helping to identify methane source signatures. The PI's research group has been given the opportunity to collect novel methane data during a cruise leg of Beringia 2005, a multidisciplinary Arctic research expedition overseen by The Swedish Polar Research Secretariat and The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences. The cruise will run from Scandinavia and along the northern Russian coastal shelf, allowing us to collect data of direct relevance to these issues. Our measurements will contribute to a major Beringia objective of evaluating carbon biogeochemistry in Arctic estuarine and shelf/slope regions. Specifically we will collect water samples underway approximately hourly, with depth profiles when logistics allow. Dissolved methane will be determined by gas chromatography onboard and samples will be stored for later isotopic analysis in Newcastle. These data will enable a preliminary assessment of methane sources in the region and their potential sea-air exchange, and will be used as a basis for subsequent proposals for more detailed future studies.
- NERC Reference:
- NE/C000706/1
- Grant Stage:
- Completed
- Scheme:
- Small Grants Pre FEC
- Grant Status:
- Closed
- Programme:
- Small Grants
This grant award has a total value of £23,103
FDAB - Financial Details (Award breakdown by headings)
| Total - T&S | Total - Staff | Total - Other Costs | Total - Indirect Costs |
|---|---|---|---|
| £1,815 | £9,427 | £7,526 | £4,337 |
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