Biogeosciences
www.biogeosciences.net
1726-4170
1726-4189
6
11
2009
10.5194/bg-6-2355-2009
http://www.biogeosciences.net/6/2355/2009/
http://www.biogeosciences.net/6/2355/2009/bg-6-2355-2009.html
http://www.biogeosciences.net/6/2355/2009/bg-6-2355-2009.pdf
2355
2367
2009-11-02
The consumption of atmospheric methane by soil in a simulated future climate
C. L. Curry
charles.curry@ec.gc.ca
Canadian Centre for Climate Modelling and Analysis, Climate Research Division, Environment Canada, Victoria, BC, Canada
A recently developed model for the consumption of atmospheric methane by soil
(Curry, 2007) is used to investigate the global magnitude and distribution
of methane uptake in a simulated future climate. In addition to solving the
one-dimensional diffusion-reaction equation, the model includes a
parameterization of biological CH<sub>4</sub> oxidation that is sensitive to soil
temperature and moisture content, along with specified reduction factors for
land cultivation and wetland fractional coverage. Under the SRES emission
scenario A1B, the model projects an 8% increase in the global annual mean
CH<sub>4</sub> soil sink by 2100, over and above the 15% increase expected from
increased CH<sub>4</sub> concentration alone. While the largest absolute increases
occur in cool temperate and subtropical forest ecosystems, the largest
relative increases in consumption (>40%) are seen in the boreal forest,
tundra and polar desert environments of the high northern latitudes. Methane
uptake at mid- to high northern latitudes increases year-round in 2100, with
a 68% increase over present-day values in June. This increase is primarily
due to enhanced soil diffusivity resulting from lower soil moisture produced
by increased evaporation and reduced snow cover. At lower latitudes, uptake
is enhanced mainly by elevated soil temperatures and/or reduced soil moisture
stress, with the dominant influence determined by the local climate.
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