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Methane: Interhemispheric concentration gradient and atmospheric residence time.

E W Mayer1, D R Blake, S C Tyler

  • 1Department of Chemistry, University of California, Irvine, California 92717.

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America
|February 1, 1982
PubMed
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Atmospheric methane concentrations are higher in the Northern Hemisphere, suggesting more methane sources there. The estimated atmospheric lifetime of methane (CH4) is about 10.5 years.

Area of Science:

  • Atmospheric Chemistry
  • Environmental Science
  • Geophysics

Background:

  • Methane (CH4) is a potent greenhouse gas with significant atmospheric concentrations.
  • Understanding methane distribution is crucial for climate modeling and source attribution.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To measure ground-level methane concentrations globally between 1977 and 1979.
  • To investigate the interhemispheric gradient of methane and its implications.
  • To identify potential methane sources and removal processes.

Main Methods:

  • Collection of atmospheric samples from remote locations across latitudes.
  • Analysis of methane concentrations using parts per million by volume (ppmv) of dry air.
  • Calculation of hemispheric averages and interhemispheric ratios.

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Main Results:

  • Methane concentrations ranged from 1.45 to 1.62 ppmv.
  • Northern Hemisphere concentrations were consistently higher than in the Southern Hemisphere.
  • The average interhemispheric ratio was 1.06, with an estimated atmospheric lifetime of 10.5 +/- 1.8 years for CH4.

Conclusions:

  • The observed interhemispheric gradient suggests preferential methane release in the Northern Hemisphere.
  • The reaction with tropospheric OH radicals is the primary methane removal process.
  • A substantial methane source was identified in the Amazon basin region.