Discovering reasons for global atmospheric methane growth using deuterium isotopes

The quantity of atmospheric methane is unexpectedly and rapidly rising, presenting one of the biggest and most immediate threats to the Paris Agreement. Although the reasons behind this growth are largely unknown, this project aims to uncover the underlying causes.

Led by the University of London’s Department of Earth Sciences in collaboration with numerous other UK universities, the project focuses on identifying and understanding the changes in methane sources and sinks. By measuring and modeling deuterium/hydrogen (D/H) isotopes, which can clearly discriminate between different methane sources and sinks, the project aims to reduce uncertainties in the global methane budget. This isotopic analysis will provide crucial insights into the factors driving the recent increase in atmospheric methane and help inform strategies to mitigate its impact on climate change.