Scientists from England and Norway discovered large underground methane reserves while exploring the island of Svalbard in Norway. The results were published by the journal. nature geology.
During the study, scientists discovered in the central part of Svalbard sources of groundwater rich in methane, from which gas was released to the surface. Experts have found that the methane concentration in the springs is 600,000 times higher on the earth’s surface than in water, which is in equilibrium with the atmosphere.
Experts also determined that methane is of geological origin and its source is groundwater. According to experts, up to 2.31 thousand tons of methane is released from groundwater in Svalbard every year. study notes
Glaciers transitioning to terrestrial systems may serve as sources of methane emissions in the future. This means that the retreat of glaciers caused by climate change could lead to massive emissions of this gas.
Throughout the year, at low temperature and high pressure, under permafrost and ice, methane is stored as a solid gas hydrate. However, in warmer conditions it decomposes and is released into the atmosphere.
Scientists have proven that global warming is causing a large-scale methane leak in the Arctic, which is the second most important greenhouse gas after carbon dioxide. According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, methane is responsible for more than a quarter of current warming. So environmentalists discovered another climate feedback loop, a cyclical chain reaction accelerating warming.
Since 1936, due to rising global temperatures, the volume of glaciers on Svalbard has decreased by 30% and the ice cover by 10.4%. Scientists also believe that methane emissions are occurring in other parts of the Arctic in addition to Svalbard.
ancient scientists saidhow arctic mosses and lichens can transform from methane sinks to methane producers.