Articles | Volume 16, issue 12
https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-16-7943-2016
© Author(s) 2016. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License.
https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-16-7943-2016
© Author(s) 2016. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License.
Research article
| 
30 Jun 2016
Research article |
| 30 Jun 2016
Role of OH variability in the stalling of the global atmospheric CH4 growth rate from 1999 to 2006
School of Earth and Environment, University of Leeds, Leeds, LS2 9JT, UK
National Centre for Earth Observation, University of Leeds, Leeds, LS2 9JT, UK
Martyn P. Chipperfield
School of Earth and Environment, University of Leeds, Leeds, LS2 9JT, UK
National Centre for Earth Observation, University of Leeds, Leeds, LS2 9JT, UK
Manuel Gloor
School of Geography, University of Leeds, Leeds, LS2 9JT, UK
Chris Wilson
School of Earth and Environment, University of Leeds, Leeds, LS2 9JT, UK
National Centre for Earth Observation, University of Leeds, Leeds, LS2 9JT, UK
Wuhu Feng
School of Earth and Environment, University of Leeds, Leeds, LS2 9JT, UK
National Centre for Atmospheric Science, University of Leeds, Leeds, LS2 9JT,
UK
Garry D. Hayman
Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, Wallingford, UK
Matt Rigby
School of Chemistry, University of Bristol, Bristol, BS8 1TS, UK
Paul B. Krummel
CSIRO Oceans and Atmosphere Flagship, Aspendale, Victoria, Australia
Simon O'Doherty
School of Chemistry, University of Bristol, Bristol, BS8 1TS, UK
Ronald G. Prinn
Center for Global Change Science, Massachusetts Instititute of
Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
Ray F. Weiss
Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California, San
Diego, CA 92093, USA
Dickon Young
School of Chemistry, University of Bristol, Bristol, BS8 1TS, UK
Ed Dlugokencky
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Boulder, CO, USA
Steve A. Montzka
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Boulder, CO, USA
Data sets
NOAA CH4 and CH3CCL3 E. J. Dlugokencky, E. G. Nisbet, R. Fisher, and D. Lowry http://www.esrl.noaa.gov/gmd/dv/data/
AGAGE CH4 and CH3CCL3 R. G. Prinn, R. F. Weiss, P. J. Fraser, P. G. Simmonds, D. O'Doherty, P. Salameh, L. Porter, P. Krummel, R. J. Wang, B. Miller, C. Harth, B. Greally, F. A. Van Woy, L. P. Steele, J. Mühle, G. Sturrock, F. N. Alyea, J. Huang, and D. E. Hartley http://cdiac.esd.ornl.gov/ndps/alegage.html
Short summary
Methane (CH4) is an important greenhouse gas. The growth of atmospheric CH4 stalled from 1999 to 2006, with current explanations focussed mainly on changing surface fluxes. We combine models with observations and meteorological data to assess the atmospheric contribution to CH4 changes. We find that variations in mean atmospheric hydroxyl concentration can explain part of the stall in growth. Our study highlights the role of multi-annual variability in atmospheric chemistry in global CH4 trends.
Methane (CH4) is an important greenhouse gas. The growth of atmospheric CH4 stalled from 1999 to...
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