Methane bubbling from Siberian thaw lakes as a positive feedback to climate warming

K. M. Walter (), S. A. Zimov, J. P. Chanton, D. Verbyla and F. S. Chapin
Additional contact information
K. M. Walter: Institute of Arctic Biology, University of Alaska
S. A. Zimov: Northeast Science Station
J. P. Chanton: Florida State University
D. Verbyla: University of Alaska
F. S. Chapin: Institute of Arctic Biology, University of Alaska

Nature, 2006, vol. 443, issue 7107, 71-75

Abstract: Strange brew When frozen ground thaws along lake margins in North Siberia, dead animal and plant remains fall to the lake floor, where they decompose to produce methane, a potent greenhouse gas. The methane bubbles up to the lake surface and into the atmosphere, contributing to global warming. Until now, the relative importance of these bubbles has been uncertain because the patchiness of the phenomenon makes it hard to measure. A new study of the Siberian lakes shows that bubbling is a larger source of methane than previously believed, increasing current estimates of emissions from northern wetlands by 10 to 63%. Recent expansion of thaw lakes in the region may have markedly increased methane emissions, suggesting that thaw-lake methane could be a positive feedback to global warming.

Date: 2006
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DOI: 10.1038/nature05040

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