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A plausible hydrological scenario for the Bølling-Allerød atmospheric methane increase

Department of Civil Engineering, The Queen's University of Belfast, BT71NN, Northern Ireland

John L. Jirikowic

Palaeocology Centre, The Queen's University of Belfast, BT7 1NN, Northern Ireland

The glacial record has shown that atmospheric methane concentrations have fluctuated in the past, particularly during the Bølling-Allerød interstadial. We used an inverse photochemical carbon- cycle model to interpret the magnitude of effect that glacial-interglacial atmospheric methane variations have on the global carbon cycle. The results of this modelling suggest that an observed variation in atmospheric ¹⁴C during this time period may be the result of oxidation of the increased atmospheric methane. We re-examine methane clathrate in palaeosols as a potential source of the methane, and the influence of deglaciation and subsequent heat transport from advecting groundwater in these sediments may be a plausible mechanism by which atmospheric CH4 concentrations abruptly increased during the Bølling-Allerød.

Key Words: Methane • carbon cycle • Bølling • Allerød • atmospheric composition • palaeosols • groundwater

The Holocene, Vol. 6, No. 1, 111-118 (1996)
DOI: 10.1177/095968369600600114


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