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Svalbard readings show increased methane emissions

21.06.10 Measurements taken in Svalbard confirm that the concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere continues to increase. Researchers are taking the increased methane concentration seriously. This is alarming if one of the reasons for it is the release of methane from thawing permafrost and the Arctic sea bed.

The Zeppelin station in Ny-Ålesund. Photo: NILU
The Zeppelin station: The Climate and Pollution Agency (Klif) and the Norwegian Institute for Air Research (NILU) are collaborating to monitor 23 greenhouse gases and ozone-reducing substances on Mt. Zeppelin in Ny Ålesund in Svalbard. The results for 2008 have now been presented. Photo: NILU.

Stockholm University is measuring CO2 at the same site. 2008 figures for this are not yet ready.

Annual mean value of methane measured at the Zeppelin observatory, Svalbard:
Figuren viser årlig middelverdi for metan målt på Zeppelinobservatoriet på Svalbard fra 2001 til 2008.
More methane in the atmosphere: Simplified analyses indicate a smaller quantity of atmospheric pollution reaching Svalbard from central Europe and central Russia in 2007 and 2008 than in the previous years. However the new figures from Klif and NILU show that the methane concentration continues to rise. This may indicate emission sources in the Arctic region, a development that is worrying both the researchers and the authorities. Fig. NILU.

Methane is an important greenhouse gas

  • The concentration of methane (CH4) in the atmosphere is much lower than that of CO2, but a tonne of methane has more than 20 times the warming effect of a tonne of CO2.
  • In 2008 methane accounted for eight per cent of Norwegian greenhouse gas emissions.
  • The increase of methane in the atmosphere began in 2004 after almost a decade without change. In 2008 the increase continued, both globally (0.39 per cent) and in Svalbard (0.34 per cent).

- It is vital that we find out more about the sources of this increasing concentration of methane. It is important to find out whether this is coming from sources upon which we can impose direct measures or whether the increased methane concentration is due to climate change. If the cause is the release of methane from thawing permafrost and from the Arctic sea bed, then that is an alarming trend. That would give climate change a self-reinforcing effect, says Ellen Hambro, Director General of the Climate and Pollution Agency.

Recommends satellite measurements

Targeted satellite measurements could help to clarify the sources of the methane emissions.

- We wish to combine ground based measurements with satellite measurements. That would give us useful information about where the methane emissions originate. This is difficult because at the moment there are no suitable satellite measurements of methane in this region, says Cathrine Lund Myhre, Senior Research Scientist at NILU.

She is project manager of the monitoring of greenhouse gases and ozone reducing substances in Svalbard.

More CO2

Important measurements in Svalbard

  • The monitoring of greenhouse gases and ozone-reducing substances in Svalbard is important in assessing the achievement of the goals of the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer and the goals for the reduction of greenhouse gases in the Kyoto Protocol.
  • Svalbard has few local sources of pollution. This means the Zeppelin station in Ny Ålesund is very well suited to monitoring global levels and trends of greenhouse gases and ozone-reducing substances.
  • NILU is developing methods that - with the aid of observations, models and weather data - will make it possible to trace some of the greenhouse gas emissions back to their sources in various countries.

CO2 is the greenhouse gas that makes the largest contribution to global warming. Figures from 2007 show that the CO2 concentration is continuing to increase by around 0.5 per cent a year.

The total concentration in the atmosphere has increased by more than 8 per cent since measurement began in 1988.

Ozone measures help

The concentration of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) has begun to fall as a result of the world’s greatly reduced consumption of these strongly ozone-reducing substances.

Hydrochlorofluorcarbons (HCFCs), which are used to replace a number of these gases, do not have such a destructive effect on the ozone layer, but they are still greenhouse gases. The concentration of these substances is increasing quite rapidly.

- Hydrochlorofluorcarbons, which are used to replace ozone-degrading substances, are also greenhouse gases. These gases do not make a great contribution to global warming today, but their concentration in the atmosphere is increasing very rapidly. It has more than doubled since 2001, says Cathrine Lund Myhre, Senior Research Scientist at NILU.

Continued rapid growth could make these gases significant contributors to global warming. Researchers and the authorities are therefore following this trend closely, with a view to the need for new measures.

Questions may by directed to:

  • Klif: Section manager Alice Gaustad, climate and energy section
    telephone: 22 57 36 48, e-mail:     alice.gaustad@klif.no
  •  Klif: Senior adviser Harold Leffertstra, climate and energy section
    telephone: 22 57 35 12, e-mail:     harold.leffertstra@klif.no
  •  NILU: senior research scientist Cathrine Lund Myhre
    telephone: 63 89 80 42, mobile: 482 21 353, e-mail:     clm@nilu.no
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Tema

 

Klima- og forurensningsdirektoratet (Klif), postboks 8100 Dep, 0032 Oslo. Besøk: Strømsveien 96, 0663 Oslo. Telefon: 22 57 34 00.
Telefaks: 22 67 67 06. E-post: postmottak@klif.no. Organisasjonsnummer: 970 935 657. Nettredaktør: nettredaktor@klif.no.

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