Yrs. Of Pole-To-Pole Flights, Satellite Data Show Oceans Now Emitting Methane At "Significant" Rate

[hatrack]

EDIT

The data mined by the National Center for Atmospheric Research team will take years to analyze. Asked about his first overall impression, however, the project's chief investigator, Steven Wofsy, a professor of Atmospheric and Environmental Science at Harvard University, said, "It certainly doesn’t make me feel more relaxed" about human-induced climate change.

Unlike satellite or ground-based data, the information gleaned on flights that dipped from as high as 40,000 feet to below 500 feet recorded and demonstrated some of the mechanisms that put additional greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, adding a level of precision that mathematical models and satellite observation often lack. "It's like looking at an X-ray from the '60s versus a CAT scan today," Wofsy said of the difference in the data.

Scientists were surprised to find strong evidence that ocean surfaces laid bare by melting ice are emitting methane at a "significant" rate likely to have "global impact," Wofsy said.

"It confirms a concern that’s been raised about the removal of ice from the arctic." Wofsy said. "It does look to be significant, and that’s a new result there." The process by which the open ocean surface is emitting methane, a more potent greenhouse gas than carbon dioxide, is uncertain, Wofsy said, adding that it likely is not from frozen masses of methane known to be in deep oceans, nor from methane being exhaled from newly thawed tundra. The discovery of this net addition to the atmosphere confirms a "feedback" mechanism by which one phenomenon has a multiplier effect on the contents of Earth's atmosphere, where greenhouse gases have been accumulating at a rapid rate in modern industrial crimes.

EDIT

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/greenspace/2011/09/global-warming-climate-change-seen-in-data-gathering.html

[villager]

1. Well, that will pretty much be that....

n/t

[Hawkowl]

2. Artic oil drilling should multiply this

So at least we have that going for us. Which is nice. :eyes:

[GliderGuider]

3. Oh, Jesus.

I can hear the Clathrate Gun being cocked.

"Paging Dr. Canfield, your ocean is ready..."

[DavidDvorkin]

4. Start getting your affairs in order

No, actually, don't bother.

[yodermon]

5. well, shit.

[phantom power]

6. exciting!

:woohoo:

[Gregorian]

7. But Rick Perry says that our economy can't afford to listen to all of that "unsettled science".

I need a job, so I'll just vote to melt those caps as fast as possible. I might even start having kids, because I can.

[stuntcat]

13. have the kids, it'll lower your taxes!

You'll get all kindsa help, just from making lil #7,000,000,000 ! :woohoo:

[Gregorian]

14. Haha.

Sarcasm is fully recognized. You can't fool me! :)

I read a really interesting article regarding the changes in breeding habits around the world. It was titled something 7 billion. Women are really starting to have the freedom to choose for themselves in places where huge families were always the norm. I know we have suffered watching this, but I have every reason to believe things are changing dramatically. It doesn't mean we'll have ecological diversity, or ice caps in the future. Yesterday I saw bear paw prints on my driveway. I took photos. That kind of thing always makes me happy. Even if it's short lived.

Hang in there 'cat.

[NickB79]

8. Well, this certainly makes me wonder if I did the right thing having a child

Sorry honey :cry:

[nadinbrzezinski]

9. Run away effect...what does this come to mind?

Hydrates are getting released I guess

[NickB79]

10. The article claims it isn't from hydrate thaw

Color me skeptical. Either the hydrates are thawing, or there's ANOTHER, UNKNOWN source of methane we haven't taken into consideration before. Either prospect is chilling.

[nadinbrzezinski]

11. Yup

And Venus, worst case, comes to mind...best case carboniferous...neither is friendly to current apex species.

That be...us.

[Nihil]

12. "neither is friendly to current apex species"

So true.

We'll be the apex species that was most successful at preserving
its global living environment since blue-green algae ...