Researchers Measure Methane Emissions in the Arctic

An airborne measurement campaign conducted by the research team from the Alfred Wegener Institute for Polar and Marine Research in the Helmholtz Association (AWI) along with those at the GFZ German Research Centre for Geosciences has been accomplished successfully. This achievement has led to the measurement of large-scale methane emissions generating from the vast Arctic permafrost landscapes.

The areas in which the studies were performed include Barrow, the northernmost settlement on the American mainland, followed by extension across the entire North Slope of Alaska, and then within Canada’s Mackenzie Delta in the Northwest Territories. Airborne Measurement of Methane (AIRMETH), airborne measurements at a flight level of 30 to 50 m over ground meets two major challenges involving the volume of methane that permafrost areas emit into the atmosphere, and the extent to which geological point sources involve in emission. Also, the prevalence of microbially-generated methane in the upper soil layers has been considered.

By conducting isotope analysis, the correlation between older geogenic and younger biogenic methane can be precisely determined. The earlier research by GFZ in 2002 showed that the permafrost layered-Mackenzie Delta stores extremely highly enriched methane hydrate reservoirs. As per permafrost conditions, these regions are extensively accumulated.

The measurements were conducted at the research aircraft Polar 5 of the Alfred Wegener Institute. Meteorological nose boom with a 5-hole probe was fitted to the machine of type Basler BT-67 for 3D wind vector and humidity and temperature sensor determination. Air was sucked within the cabin through an intake on the airplane’s roof, and a fast methane analyser was employed for analysis. The initial screening outcome represented that the vast tundra areas require an aircraft.

The next step will include a detailed analysis of data. Potential computer models will show the detected atmospheric flow processes.

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