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NOAA/WDS Paleoclimatology - Polar Ice Core 42-77ka Excess Methane Data

browse graphicPaleoclimatology - Ice Core
This archived Paleoclimatology Study is available from the NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI), under the World Data Service (WDS) for Paleoclimatology. The associated NCEI study type is Ice Core. The data include parameters of climate forcing|ice cores with a geographic location of Greenland. The time period coverage is from 76829 to 22365 in calendar years before present (BP). See metadata information for parameter and study location details. Please cite this study when using the data.
  • Cite as: Lee, J.E.; Edwards, J.S.; Schmitt, J.; Fischer, H.; Bock, M.; Brook, E.J. (2020-01-02): NOAA/WDS Paleoclimatology - Polar Ice Core 42-77ka Excess Methane Data. [indicate subset used]. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. https://doi.org/10.25921/k91b-0t87. Accessed [date].
  • Please refer to Credit tab for full citation information.
noaa-icecore-27610
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DistributorNOAA National Centers for Environmental Information
ncei.info@noaa.gov
Dataset Point of Contact NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information
ncei.info@noaa.gov
Dataset Point of Contact Data Center Contact
NOAA World Data Service for Paleoclimatology
828-271-4800
paleo@noaa.gov
Coverage DescriptionDate Range: 76829 cal yr BP to 22365 cal yr BP;
Time Period-74879 to -20415
Spatial Bounding Box Coordinates
N: 77.45
S: -89.99
E: -38.466667
W: -112.11
Spatial Coverage Map
General Documentation
Associated Resources
  • Excess methane in Greenland ice cores associated with high dust concentrations
    • Associated Reference published 2020
      James E. Lee, Jon S. Edwards, Jochen Schmitt, Hubertus Fischer, Michael Bock, Edward J. Brook, 2020: Excess methane in Greenland ice cores associated with high dust concentrations. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, 270, 409-430, 10.1016/j.gca.2019.11.020
Publication Dates
  • publication: 2020-01-02
Data Presentation Form Digital table - digital representation of facts or figures systematically displayed, especially in columns
Dataset Progress StatusComplete - production of the data has been completed
Data Update Frequency Data update frequency not available
Supplemental Information
STUDY NOTES: Excess CH4 data from the NEEM, GISP2, WAIS Divide, RICE, and SPICE polar ice cores for 42.7-77 ka, plus updated and previously unpublished CH4 measurements of samples from the GISP2 ice core (file lee2020ch4-gisp2.txt)
ABSTRACT SUPPLIED BY ORIGINATOR: Ice core records of atmospheric methane (CH4) and its isotopic composition provide important information about biogeochemical cycles in the past. Interpreting these data requires that they faithfully record the composition of the atmosphere. In this study, we describe anomalies of up to 30-40 ppb CH4 that are only observed in dust-rich (>~60 ng Ca/g ice), glacial-period ice measured with standard melt-refreeze methods. The stable isotopic composition of CH4 is also significantly affected. Results from the GISP2 and NEEM ice cores from Greenland show that excess CH4 is either released or produced in the presence of liquid water in amounts which are highly correlated with the abundance of Ca2+ and mineral dust in the sample. Additional experiments show that excess CH4 is unaffected by the addition of HgCl2 (a microbial inhibitor) and is not related to ice core storage time. Dust concentrations in Antarctic ice cores are an order of magnitude lower than in Greenlandic ice cores and no excess CH4 was observed in samples from the Antarctic WAIS Divide (WD) and South Pole (SPICE) ice cores. While the overall structure of the ice core atmospheric methane history is minimally impacted by excess CH4, the impacts on the isotopic record and on inverse models used to reconstruct CH4 sources are greater. We propose three potential mechanisms to explain the presence of excess CH4: (1) that CH4 is adsorbed on dust particles prior to deposition on the ice sheet and is slowly desorbed during the melt-extraction step of sample analysis; (2) that dust acts as a micro-environment within the ice sheet for methanogenic extremophiles; or (3) that excess CH4 is a product of abiotic degradation of organic compounds during the melt-extraction step of sample analysis.
PurposeRecords of past temperature, precipitation, atmospheric trace gases, and other aspects of climate and environment derived from ice cores drilled on glaciers and ice caps around the world. Parameter keywords describe what was measured in this dataset. Additional summary information can be found in the abstracts of papers listed in the dataset citations.
Dataset Citation
  • Cite as: Lee, J.E.; Edwards, J.S.; Schmitt, J.; Fischer, H.; Bock, M.; Brook, E.J. (2020-01-02): NOAA/WDS Paleoclimatology - Polar Ice Core 42-77ka Excess Methane Data. [indicate subset used]. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. https://doi.org/10.25921/k91b-0t87. Accessed [date].
  • Please cite original publication, online resource, dataset and publication DOIs (where available), and date accessed when using downloaded data. If there is no publication information, please cite investigator, title, online resource, and date accessed. The appearance of external links associated with a dataset does not constitute endorsement by the Department of Commerce/National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration of external Web sites or the information, products or services contained therein. For other than authorized activities, the Department of Commerce/NOAA does not exercise any editorial control over the information you may find at these locations. These links are provided consistent with the stated purpose of this Department of Commerce/NOAA Web site.
Cited Authors
  • Lee, J.E.
  • Edwards, J.S.
  • Schmitt, J.
  • Fischer, H.
  • Bock, M.
  • Brook, E.J.
Originators
  • Lee, J.E.
  • Edwards, J.S.
  • Schmitt, J.
  • Fischer, H.
  • Bock, M.
  • Brook, E.J.
Publishers
  • NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information
Theme keywordsGlobal Change Master Directory (GCMD) Science Keywords
  • Earth Science > Climate Indicators > Paleoclimate Indicators > Ice Core Records
  • Earth Science > Paleoclimate > Ice Core Records
Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Science Keywords
  • earth science > paleoclimate > climate forcing|ice cores
  • earth science > paleoclimate > climate forcing|ice cores
  • earth science > paleoclimate > climate forcing|ice cores
  • earth science > paleoclimate > climate forcing|ice cores
  • earth science > paleoclimate > climate forcing|ice cores
  • earth science > paleoclimate > climate forcing|ice cores
  • earth science > paleoclimate > climate forcing|ice cores
  • earth science > paleoclimate > climate forcing|ice cores
  • earth science > paleoclimate > ice core > atmospheric gas
Paleoenvironmental Standard Terms (PaST) Thesaurus
  • What: sample identification; Material: null
  • What: depth at sample end; Material: null
  • What: gas age; Material: null
  • What: methane; Material: bulk atmosphere
  • What: notes; Material: null
  • What: methane; Material: bulk atmosphere
  • What: methane; Material: bulk atmosphere
  • What: methane; Material: bulk atmosphere
Data Center keywordsGlobal Change Master Directory (GCMD) Data Center Keywords
  • DOC/NOAA/NESDIS/NCEI > National Centers for Environmental Information, NESDIS, NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce
Place keywords
  • Continent > North America > Greenland > GISP2 > LATITUDE 72.583333 > LONGITUDE -38.466667
  • Continent > Antarctica > WAIS Divide > LATITUDE -79.463 > LONGITUDE -112.11
  • Continent > North America > Greenland > NEEM > LATITUDE 77.45 > LONGITUDE -51.066667
  • Continent > Antarctica > South Pole Ice Core (SPICEcore) > LATITUDE -89.99 > LONGITUDE -99.16
Use Constraints
  • Cite as: Lee, J.E.; Edwards, J.S.; Schmitt, J.; Fischer, H.; Bock, M.; Brook, E.J. (2020-01-02): NOAA/WDS Paleoclimatology - Polar Ice Core 42-77ka Excess Methane Data. [indicate subset used]. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. https://doi.org/10.25921/k91b-0t87. Accessed [date].
  • Use liability: NOAA and NCEI cannot provide any warranty as to the accuracy, reliability, or completeness of furnished data. Users assume responsibility to determine the usability of these data. The user is responsible for the results of any application of this data for other than its intended purpose.
  • Please cite original publication, online resource, dataset and publication DOIs (where available), and date accessed when using downloaded data. If there is no publication information, please cite investigator, title, online resource, and date accessed. The appearance of external links associated with a dataset does not constitute endorsement by the Department of Commerce/National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration of external Web sites or the information, products or services contained therein. For other than authorized activities, the Department of Commerce/NOAA does not exercise any editorial control over the information you may find at these locations. These links are provided consistent with the stated purpose of this Department of Commerce/NOAA Web site.
Access Constraints
  • Distribution liability: NOAA and NCEI make no warranty, expressed or implied, regarding these data, nor does the fact of distribution constitute such a warranty. NOAA and NCEI cannot assume liability for any damages caused by any errors or omissions in these data. If appropriate, NCEI can only certify that the data it distributes are an authentic copy of the records that were accepted for inclusion in the NCEI archives.
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  • In most cases, electronic downloads of the data are free. However, fees may apply for custom orders, data certifications, copies of analog materials, and data distribution on physical media.
Last Modified: 2023-10-12
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