Articles | Volume 25, issue 17
https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-9843-2025
https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-9843-2025
Research article
 | 
04 Sep 2025
Research article |  | 04 Sep 2025

Significant response of methane in the upper troposphere to subseasonal variability in the Asian monsoon anticyclone

Sihong Zhu, Mengchu Tao, Zhaonan Cai, Yi Liu, Liang Feng, Pubu Sangmu, Zhongshui Yu, and Junji Cao

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Cited articles

Alladi, H. K., Satheesh Chandran, P. R., and Ratnam, M. V.: Impact of ENSO on the UTLS chemical composition in the Asian Summer Monsoon Anticyclone, Atmos. Res., 309, 107551, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.atmosres.2024.107551, 2024. 
Baker, A. K., Schuck, T. J., Brenninkmeijer, C. A. M., Rauthe-Schöch, A., Slemr, F., van Velthoven, P. F. J., and Lelieveld, J.: Estimating the contribution of monsoon-related biogenic production to methane emissions from South Asia using CARIBIC observations, Geophys. Res. Lett., 39, L10813, https://doi.org/10.1029/2012GL051756, 2012. 
Belikov, D. A., Saitoh, N., and Patra, P. K.: An Analysis of Interhemispheric Transport Pathways Based on Three-Dimensional Methane Data by GOSAT Observations and Model Simulations, J. Geophys. Res.-Atmos., 127, e2021JD035688, https://doi.org/10.1029/2021JD035688, 2022. 
Bergman, J. W., Fierli, F., Jensen, E. J., Honomichl, S., and Pan, L. L.: Boundary layer sources for the Asian anticyclone: Regional contributions to a vertical conduit, J. Geophys. Res.-Atmos., 118, 2560–2575, https://doi.org/10.1002/jgrd.50142, 2013. 
Bisht, J. S. H., Machida, T., Chandra, N., Tsuboi, K., Patra, P. K., Umezawa, T., Niwa, Y., Sawa, Y., Morimoto, S., Nakazawa, T., Saitoh, N., and Takigawa, M.: Seasonal Variations of SF6, CO2, CH4, and N2O in the UT/LS Region due to Emissions, Transport, and Chemistry, J. Geophys. Res.-Atmos., 126, e2020JD033541, https://doi.org/10.1029/2020JD033541, 2021. 
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Short summary
Methane (CH4) emissions can be transported into the upper troposphere (UT) via the Asian monsoon anticyclone (AMA), driving CH4 enhancements. Whether emissions or upward transport is the dominant factor remains debated. We analyzed UT CH4 variability with AMA dynamics, finding strong ties between CH4 distribution and the AMA's east–west oscillation. When centered near 80° E, vertical transport largely enhances CH4 anomalies, with circulation effects 1–2 times greater than those of emissions.
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