Deuterium/hydrogen isotope ratios (dDCH4) for atmospheric methane were measured from 20 individual ice core samples from Siple Dome, Antarctica. The data covers the 19th and early 20th centuries, showing a trend towards lower values. The work was conducted by SCIOPS to reconstruct historical methane emission sources.
Use Cases
- Analyze the trend of dDCH4 values over the 19th and early 20th centuries to infer changes in methane sources.
- Use the measured dDCH4 values as boundary conditions for models reconstructing historical methane emission records.
- Correlate shifts in dDCH4 values with model scenarios to estimate the anthropogenic fraction of biomass burning methane emissions.
- Compare the -89.3±2.3‰ values from the 19th century to present-day values (-81.3‰ SMOW) to quantify isotopic change.
Strengths
- Provides a 200-year record of atmospheric methane isotopes, a fundamental boundary condition for emission models.
- Includes 20 individual ice core sample measurements from a specific Antarctic site (Siple Dome).
- Data is linked to model results quantifying the anthropogenic contribution (30%) to biomass burning methane.
Limitations
- Sample size is limited to 20 individual measurements.
- Geographic coverage is restricted to one Antarctic ice core site (Siple Dome).
- Temporal coverage ends in the early 20th century, lacking modern data.
Provenance
- Source
- SCIOPS via NASA EarthData.
- Collection Method
- Measured from ice core samples extracted from the SDM-E core at Siple Dome, Antarctica.
- Time Range
- 19th and early 20th centuries.
- Geography
- Siple Dome, Antarctica.