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Title: Atmospheric methane, record from a Greenland ice core over the last 1000 year

Journal Article · · Geophysical Research Letters (American Geophysical Union); (United States)
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1029/93GL02414· OSTI ID:5485523
; ;  [1]; ; ;  [2]
  1. Univ. of Bern (Switzerland)
  2. CNRS Laboratorie de Glaciologie, Grenoble (France)

This paper describes results of two recent analyses of ice core samples drilled in Greenland for enclosed methane. Ice cores provide a record of some atmospheric gases which dates back far into the past. Improved drilling techniques, in conjunction with better analysis has allowed more accurate dating and more accurate measurements of methane concentrations, which allows the resolution of variations in the record over the past 1000 years. The hope is that by correlating such variations with different climatic events or factors, one can gain information on how the earth responds to changes in the methane concentrations in the atmosphere. Recent anthropogenic increases have been recorded, but the response of sinks is not well understood.

OSTI ID:
5485523
Journal Information:
Geophysical Research Letters (American Geophysical Union); (United States), Vol. 20:20; ISSN 0094-8276
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English