Scientists detect greenhouse gas buildup over Alaska

KODIAK ISLAND, Alaska, August 24, 2009 (ENS) – Billions of tons of carbon are buried in the frozen Arctic tundra, now heating up because of human-caused climate change. To measure which greenhouse gases are being released and in what quantities, government scientists are flying instrument-laden planes over the tundra from now through November.

They say recent observations indicate that the air above Alaska “may already hold the first signs of a regional increase in greenhouse gas emissions” that could contribute to global climate change. “Recent observations could be isolated cases or part of a vast regional change in emissions that could accelerate climate warming to a more dangerous pace. We don’t know yet,” said Colm Sweeney, of NOAA’s Earth System Research Laboratory in Boulder, Colorado. “We’re eager to find out.” Sweeney heads a NOAA aircraft project that samples greenhouse gases around the country. In addition, the lab monitors the gases from 60 sites worldwide. … “North of the Brooks Range, the tundra is not yet melting, but south of the range, partial melting is already occurring,” Sweeney said. “The south will give us clues to what’s likely to happen north of the range in the coming years.” …

Scientists Detect Greenhouse Gas Buildup Over Alaska