Multiple factors dominate the distribution of methane and its sea-to-air flux in the Bohai Sea in summer and autumn of 2014

Zang, Kunpeng; Zhang, Guiling; Zhao, Huade; Xu, Xuemei; Zheng, Nan; Wang, Juying; Zhang, Gen

Multiple factors dominate the distribution of methane and its sea-to-air flux in the Bohai Sea in summer and autumn of 2014

2020

The Bohai Sea is well-known as a source of atmospheric methane (CH₄). However, the main regulate factors of the spatiotemporal distribution of CH₄ and its sea-to-air flux remain largely unknown. In this study, the observed CH₄ concentration ranged from 4.8 to 32.7 nmol/L and 3.1 to 15.2 nmol/L in August and November of 2014, respectively. The main factors that influence the distribution of CH₄ and its sea-to-air flux were stratification, solubility, and current structure for the mid-west depression basins, the permanent well-mixed seawater column and CH₄ source strength for the centre shallow ridge zone, and the upwelling for the east depression basin, respectively. Meanwhile, wind also plays an important role in sea-to-air CH₄ flux in the study area except the centre shallow ridge zone. Upwelling made the east depression basin the most intensive source of CH₄, with a flux of 2 to 4 times higher than the other sub-regions.

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