Temporal and spatial variations of atmospheric methane concentration and δ13 C-CH4 near the surface on the Millor Peninsula, East Antarctica

• Main Authors: Yashu, Liu, Renbin, Zhu, Xianglan, Li, Hua, Xu, Liguang, Sun
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Polar Research Institute of China - PRIC 2009
• Subjects: Atmosphere; Antarctic; East Antarctica; Advances in Polar Science; Antarc*; Antarctica; Polar Science
• Online Access: http://library.arcticportal.org/2369/; http://library.arcticportal.org/2369/1/A0090103.pdf

During the 22nd Chinese Antarctic Research Expedition (CHINARE222, 2005/06) , the atmospheric gas samples near the surface were taken on the Millor Peninsula and adjacent areas, east Antarctica, using Tedlar gas bags. The methane(CH4) concentration and δ13 C-CH4 in those samples were analyzed in the laboratory. The average value of atmospheric CH4 concentration on this peninsula was (1.87 ± 0.12) × 10(-6) , slightly higher than the global average CH4 concentration. The summertime variation of CH4 concentrations showed a large fluctuation, corresponding to the variation of air temperatures. The average δ13 C-CH4 was ( -38.26 ± 0.52) ‰. CH4 concentrations and δ13 C-CH4 at different sites varied from 1.74 × 10(-6) to 2.56 ×10(-6) and from -39.31‰ to - 31.25‰, respectively. The factors affecting CH4 concentrations and δ13 C-CH4 values have also been discussed in this study.