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AGU: Geophysical Research Letters

 

Index Terms

  • Biogeosciences: Biogeochemical cycles, processes, and modeling
  • Biogeosciences: Biosphere/atmosphere interactions
  • Global Change: Earth system modeling
  • Atmospheric Processes: Paleoclimatology
  • Paleoceanography: Greenhouse gases

Abstract

GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH LETTERS, VOL. 32, L02704, 4 PP., 2005
doi:10.1029/2004GL021004

The ice age methane budget

Paul J. Valdes

School of Geographical Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK

David J. Beerling

Department of Animal and Plant Sciences, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK

Colin E. Johnson

Hadley Centre for Climate Prediction and Research, Meteorological Office, Exeter, UK

Accounting for the natural 40% reduction in methane during the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM) represents one of the most challenging problems posed by polar ice core studies. Inverse modelling, constrained by observations, suggest it is driven by a decline in wetland sources, but this is not supported by forward modelling. Using a comprehensive Earth system model, we show that closure of the methane budget requires reduced emissions and an amplified sink caused by reduction in emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from LGM forests. Our study emphasizes a key role for the terrestrial biosphere in the methane budget during the Quaternary.

Received 14 July 2004; accepted 16 December 2004; published 27 January 2005.

Citation: Valdes, P. J., D. J. Beerling, and C. E. Johnson (2005), The ice age methane budget, Geophys. Res. Lett., 32, L02704, doi:10.1029/2004GL021004.

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