A new model linking atmospheric methane sources to Pleistocene glaciation via methanogenesis in sedimentary basins

Abstract

Research Article| February 01, 2008 A new model linking atmospheric methane sources to Pleistocene glaciation via methanogenesis in sedimentary basins M.J. Formolo; M.J. Formolo 1Department of Geosciences, University of Massachusetts–Amherst, Amherst, Massachusetts 01003, USA Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar J.M. Salacup; J.M. Salacup 1Department of Geosciences, University of Massachusetts–Amherst, Amherst, Massachusetts 01003, USA Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar S.T. Petsch; S.T. Petsch 1Department of Geosciences, University of Massachusetts–Amherst, Amherst, Massachusetts 01003, USA Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar A.M. Martini; A.M. Martini 2Department of Geology, Amherst College, Amherst, Massachusetts 01002, USA Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar K. Nüsslein K. Nüsslein 3Department of Microbiology, University of Massachusetts–Amherst, Amherst, Massachusetts 01003, USA Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Author and Article Information M.J. Formolo 1Department of Geosciences, University of Massachusetts–Amherst, Amherst, Massachusetts 01003, USA J.M. Salacup 1Department of Geosciences, University of Massachusetts–Amherst, Amherst, Massachusetts 01003, USA S.T. Petsch 1Department of Geosciences, University of Massachusetts–Amherst, Amherst, Massachusetts 01003, USA A.M. Martini 2Department of Geology, Amherst College, Amherst, Massachusetts 01002, USA K. Nüsslein 3Department of Microbiology, University of Massachusetts–Amherst, Amherst, Massachusetts 01003, USA Publisher: Geological Society of America Received: 03 Jul 2007 Revision Received: 01 Oct 2007 Accepted: 03 Oct 2007 First Online: 09 Mar 2017 Online ISSN: 1943-2682 Print ISSN: 0091-7613 The Geological Society of America, Inc. Geology (2008) 36 (2): 139–142. https://doi.org/10.1130/G24246A.1 Article history Received: 03 Jul 2007 Revision Received: 01 Oct 2007 Accepted: 03 Oct 2007 First Online: 09 Mar 2017 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Permissions Search Site Citation M.J. Formolo, J.M. Salacup, S.T. Petsch, A.M. Martini, K. Nüsslein; A new model linking atmospheric methane sources to Pleistocene glaciation via methanogenesis in sedimentary basins. Geology 2008;; 36 (2): 139–142. doi: https://doi.org/10.1130/G24246A.1 Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Refmanager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex toolbar search Search Dropdown Menu toolbar search search input Search input auto suggest filter your search All ContentBy SocietyGeology Search Advanced Search Abstract Methane (CH4) is an important greenhouse gas and amplifier of climate change. However, the causes of atmospheric CH4 variations over glacial-interglacial cycles remain unresolved. We propose that microbial methanogenesis along the shallow margins of sedimentary basins provides a source of atmospheric CH4 temporally connected with both advance and retreat of continental ice sheets. Extensive biodegradation of hydrocarbons in the Antrim Shale Formation, Michigan, United States, is associated with an active subsurface consortium of fermentative and methanogenic microorganisms. This activity was initially stimulated when saline formation waters were diluted by meltwater derived from overriding Pleistocene ice sheets. During glaciation, CH4 produced by this community accumulated in the shale at a rate of 1 Tg CH4 per 1000 yr as a result of ice coverage and increased hydrostatic pressure. We estimate that at present the Antrim Shale contains only 12%–25% of the cumulative mass of CH4 generated in the shale over the Pleistocene, indicating that CH4 that had accumulated during glaciation was subsequently released following ice-sheet retreat. While release from the Antrim Shale represents only a small part of the global CH4 budget, when extended to other glaciated sedimentary basins, subsurface methanogenesis may generate a substantial, previously unrecognized source of atmospheric CH4 during deglaciation. You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.