Late Holocene methane rise caused by orbitally controlled increase in tropical sources

Joy S. Singarayer (), Paul J. Valdes, Pierre Friedlingstein, Sarah Nelson and David J. Beerling
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Joy S. Singarayer: Bristol Research Initiative for the Dynamic Global Environment, School of Geographical Sciences, University of Bristol, University Road, Bristol, BS8 1SS, UK
Paul J. Valdes: Bristol Research Initiative for the Dynamic Global Environment, School of Geographical Sciences, University of Bristol, University Road, Bristol, BS8 1SS, UK
Pierre Friedlingstein: Bristol Research Initiative for the Dynamic Global Environment, School of Geographical Sciences, University of Bristol, University Road, Bristol, BS8 1SS, UK
Sarah Nelson: Bristol Research Initiative for the Dynamic Global Environment, School of Geographical Sciences, University of Bristol, University Road, Bristol, BS8 1SS, UK
David J. Beerling: University of Sheffield

Nature, 2011, vol. 470, issue 7332, 82-85

Abstract: Natural explanation for preindustrial methane peak The question of how long humans have influenced global climate by greenhouse-gas emissions is fundamental to understanding climate system sensitivity. Hence the interest in an apparent anomalous increase in atmospheric methane concentrations that occurred about 5,000 years ago — as recorded in polar ice cores. Explanations offered for the rise in methane levels include very early agricultural activity and increased natural wetland emissions. A new series of climate and wetland simulations of global methane levels during the last glacial cycle now suggests that the increase in methane concentrations can be explained by natural changes in Earth's orbital configuration, with enhanced emissions in the Southern Hemisphere tropics linked to precession-induced modification of seasonal precipitation.

Date: 2011
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DOI: 10.1038/nature09739

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