Methane emissions from Alaska arctic tundra in response to climatic change
In situ observations of methane emissions from the Alaska North Slope in 1987 and 1989 provide insight into the environmental interactions regulating methane emissions and into the local- and regional-scale response of the arctic tundra to interannual environmental variability. Inferences regarding climate change are based on in situ measurements of methane emissions, regional landscape characterizations derived from Landsat Multispectral Scanner satellite data, and projected regional scale emissions based on observed interannual temperature differences and simulated changes in the spatial distribution of methane emissions. Results suggest that biogenic methane emissions from arctic tundra will be significantly perturbed by climatic change, leading to warmer summer soil temperatures and to vertical displacement of the regional water table. The effect of increased soil temperatures on methane emissions resulting from anaerobic decomposition in northern wetlands will be to both increase total emissions and to increase interannual and seasonal variability. The magnitude of these effects will be determined by those factors affecting the areal distribution of methane emission rates through regulation of the regional water table. At local scales, the observed 4.7 C increase in mid-summer soil temperatures between 1987 and 1989 resulted in a 3.2-fold increase in the rate of methane emissions from anaerobic soils.
- Research Organization:
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Moffett Field, CA (United States). Ames Research Center
- OSTI ID:
- 7263889
- Report Number(s):
- AD-P-007311/4/XAB
- Resource Relation:
- Other Information: This article is from 'Proceedings of the International Conference on the Role of the Polar Regions in Global Change Held in Fairbanks, Alaska on 11-15 June 990. Volume 2', AD-A253 028, p372-377. See also Volume 1, AD-A253 027
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
ALASKA
AIR POLLUTION
CLIMATIC CHANGE
FORECASTING
METHANE
EMISSION
ANAEROBIC CONDITIONS
ARCTIC REGIONS
DECOMPOSITION
LANDSAT SATELLITES
POLLUTION SOURCES
SEASONAL VARIATIONS
SOILS
SPATIAL DISTRIBUTION
TUNDRA
ALKANES
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
DEVELOPED COUNTRIES
DISTRIBUTION
HYDROCARBONS
NORTH AMERICA
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
POLAR REGIONS
POLLUTION
SATELLITES
USA
VARIATIONS
540120* - Environment
Atmospheric- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport- (1990-)
540210 - Environment
Terrestrial- Basic Studies- (1990-)