Researchers from the scientific consortium "Russian Innovative Carbon Monitoring Technologies" ("RITM of Carbon") discovered colossal reserves of methane in the Bureya Reservoir (located in the Amur Region and the Khabarovsk Territory). This was reported by the consortium's press service.
Numerous bubbles were observed in the ice, powerful bubble flows, literally boiling water after drilling holes. Measured concentrations of dissolved methane in water reached 3 thousand μl/l, which is a colossal value. In addition to methane, concentrations of carbon dioxide, carbon content, hydrological and hydrochemical characteristics were also measured, and samples of bottom sediments and ice cores were taken.
In winter, the surface of freshwater bodies is covered with ice, which prevents methane from escaping into the atmosphere. Instead, the gas accumulates in the ice cover and water column.
When the ice melts, it is released — a spring release. This process can affect the annual methane emission from the surface of the reservoir. The hypothesis of spring release was confirmed by the analysis of satellite data, which showed sharp bursts of methane concentration in the atmosphere when the ice came off.
The winter-spring period of this year was distinguished by abnormal weather. This led to a large accumulation of methane in the water column.
Earlier www1.ru reported that scientists from Novosibirsk found a powerful source of methane in the swamps of Western Siberia.
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