AMAP Assessment 2015: Methane as an Arctic climate forcer: Chapter 6: Long-term monitoring of atmospheric methane

Doug Worthy, Carrie Taylor, Ed Dlugokencky, Edward Chan, Euan Nisbet, Tuomas Laurila, Rebecca Fisher, James France, David Lowry, Anna Karion, John Miller, Colm Sweeney, James White

Research output: Book/ReportCommissioned report

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Abstract

This chapter summarizes the most up to date, available observations of atmospheric CH4 from Arctic and sub-Arctic monitoring sites. The objectives of this chapter are:
1. To present a current analysis of available ambient CH4 observations from a suite of Arctic locations;
2. To highlight how long-term observational data can be used to gain an improved understanding of regional scale processes and sources affecting CH4.
These objectives are targeted in order to answer the science questions posed to the Expert Group, including:
1. What are the trends and variability in Arctic methane concentrations and what are the primary drivers of this variability?
2. How much of a trend in atmospheric methane abundance can we detect with the current monitoring network?
Is there evidence of increasing Arctic methane emissions in the atmospheric observations? This chapter focuses on the long-term systematic measurements of atmospheric CH4, and does not address short-term field campaign measurements targeted towards improved understanding of atmospheric processes, nor does it include an analysis of column measurements that provide information on the vertical distribution of CH4.
Original languageEnglish
Place of PublicationOslo
PublisherArctic Monitoring and Assessment Program (AMAP)
Commissioning bodyArctic Monitoring and Assessment Program (www.amap.no) Arctic Council
Number of pages16
ISBN (Print)978-82-7971-091-2
Publication statusPublished - 2015

Keywords

  • Arctic methane

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