The leak of methane from the bottom of the Antarctic Ocean to the surface was discovered in July 2020. Researchers have previously suggested that such a leak could occur. The researchers concluded that this methane leak could lead to global warming. Methane, one of the greenhouse gases, is a gas capable of doubling the rate of global warming faster than carbon.

Researchers have previously suggested that methane may have leaked from under the Antarctic ice sheet. Earlier studies in the journal Proceedings of the Royal Society B on the methane leak showed that their hope was that marine microbes would feed on the methane emitted before it reached the atmosphere.

Methane overseas

The first indication of a methane leak at the ocean floor was received in 2011. It was concluded that the methane found at the bottom of the ocean at that time may have leaked out of the earth’s crust. But there was no evidence at the time. In addition, methane, which was thought to have leaked out by 2015, had already been eaten by microorganisms.

But today the situation is different. Substantial changes are also occurring in the subsurface region as the temperature of the earth and the ocean surface increases. These changes intensify the methane leak at the ocean floor, causing uncontrollable methane emissions, including from microorganisms. “This change is not a good thing at all,” said Dr. John H. Snyder, a marine researcher at the University of Oregon. Says Andrew Turber.

The first phase, which began in 2011, took about four years for the microorganisms to control the effects of the leak. At the same time, this leak is getting stronger as time goes on. Methane leakage is no longer at a level that microbes can control.

Methane and climate change in the ice sheet.

Methane leaks can occur not only from the oceans but also from the oceans. Large amounts of methane are trapped beneath the sea ice. Researchers estimate that about a quarter of all methane in the Earth’s oceans lies beneath the Antarctic ice sheet. Therefore, the melting of these ice sheets could lead to large-scale methane emissions from the Antarctic, which in turn could lead to a large increase in global warming.

Slight leakage of methane under the ice has already begun. The scientific community sees methane leaks as a turning point in global warming. Researchers also say that cats need to be included in any precautionary measures against the virus. This is because with the release of methane, global warming will not be as fast as it has been before. As global warming accelerates many times over, more ice will melt and more methane will be released. In addition, this temperature change will have a severe impact on all parts of the earth.

At the same time, the relief of these findings is that there is no continuously active methane leak anywhere in the Antarctic. Although these gas leaks have been reported frequently in many places, none of these emit methane continuously. But researchers warn that such a gas leak is not far off. The reason for this conclusion is the high rate of melting of the Antarctic ice sheet.

English Summary: Methane bubbles rising from the Antarctic coast cause fear of weather tipping points