Fears that ancient methane could add to warming may be unfounded
Methane released from Arctic seafloor appears to be metabolised by bacteria
Vast amounts of frozen ancient methane – a greenhouse gas 34 times more potent than carbon dioxide – is stored under the Arctic seas, and could potentially be released by global warming. As a result some climatologists are deeply concerned that this may amplify climate change. New research in the Arctic, however, shows that, even when ancient methane is released at the seafloor, methane reaching the surface has mainly been produced more recently.