Research project IGV| The fate of climate change-induced methane formation in the sediment-ocean-atmosphere system

It is estimated that about half of the global CH4 emissions come from aquatic sources. While gas bubble emissions (ebullition) represent a large fraction of the total aquatic flux, the dynamic controls of seafloor ebullition remain poorly constrained. The central question in this project is: will climate warming-induced CH4 formation in sediments lead to increased CH4 emissions to the atmosphere? There are several factors pointing to this but few studies to date have investigated the coupled transport of dissolved and gaseous CH4 through the sediment-water column, and the resulting emissions. Here, this is done by combining a numerical sediment model with a coupled ocean-bubble model. This will allow us to shed light on where and when our oceans can become hotspots for CH4 emissions, and to make quantitative estimates of these emissions. The models will be validated through an observational program including surveys with RV Electra and the North of Greenland 2023 expedition with the Swedish icebreaker Oden.