TITLE:
CH4 Monitoring and Background Concentration at Zhongshan Station, Antarctica
AUTHORS:
Lingen Bian, Zhiqiu Gao, Yulong Sun, Minghu Ding, Jie Tang, Russell C. Schnell
KEYWORDS:
Antarctica, Zhongshan Station, CH4, Background CH4, Characteristics
JOURNAL NAME:
Atmospheric and Climate Sciences,
Vol.6 No.1,
January
29,
2016
ABSTRACT: Background
CH4 concentration and seasonal variations measured at Zhongshan
Station (69°22'2''S, 76°21'49''E, 18.5 m) in Antarctica from 2008 through 2013
are presented and discussed. From 2008-2013 CH4 was measured in
weekly flask samples and started on line measurement by Picarro CO2/CH4/H2O
analyzer from March, 2010-2013. These CH4 measurements show the
expected growth period of CH4 concentration during February
(Antarctic spring) with a peak in September (fall). Irrespective of wind
direction, CH4 concentrations distribute evenly after the removal of
polluted air from station operations, accounting for 1% of the data. The mean
daily cycle of CH4 concentration in all four seasons is small.The monthly mean CH4 concentration at Zhongshan
station is similar to those at other stations in Antarcticashowing that CH4 observed in Antarctica is fully mixed in the atmosphere as it is transported
from the northern through the southern hemisphere. The annual CH4 increase in recent years at Zhongshan station is 4.8 ppb·yr-1.