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Ice-sheet-driven methane storage and release in the Arctic

Author

Listed:
  • Alexey Portnov

    (CAGE—Centre for Arctic Gas Hydrate, Environment and Climate, UiT The Arctic University of Norway)

  • Sunil Vadakkepuliyambatta

    (CAGE—Centre for Arctic Gas Hydrate, Environment and Climate, UiT The Arctic University of Norway)

  • Jürgen Mienert

    (CAGE—Centre for Arctic Gas Hydrate, Environment and Climate, UiT The Arctic University of Norway)

  • Alun Hubbard

    (CAGE—Centre for Arctic Gas Hydrate, Environment and Climate, UiT The Arctic University of Norway)

Abstract

It is established that late-twentieth and twenty-first century ocean warming has forced dissociation of gas hydrates with concomitant seabed methane release. However, recent dating of methane expulsion sites suggests that gas release has been ongoing over many millennia. Here we synthesize observations of ∼1,900 fluid escape features—pockmarks and active gas flares—across a previously glaciated Arctic margin with ice-sheet thermomechanical and gas hydrate stability zone modelling. Our results indicate that even under conservative estimates of ice thickness with temperate subglacial conditions, a 500-m thick gas hydrate stability zone—which could serve as a methane sink—existed beneath the ice sheet. Moreover, we reveal that in water depths 150–520 m methane release also persisted through a 20-km-wide window between the subsea and subglacial gas hydrate stability zone. This window expanded in response to post-glacial climate warming and deglaciation thereby opening the Arctic shelf for methane release.

Suggested Citation

  • Alexey Portnov & Sunil Vadakkepuliyambatta & Jürgen Mienert & Alun Hubbard, 2016. "Ice-sheet-driven methane storage and release in the Arctic," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 7(1), pages 1-7, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:7:y:2016:i:1:d:10.1038_ncomms10314
    DOI: 10.1038/ncomms10314
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