The Xiamen Symposium on Marine Environmental Sciences

2027 Xiamen Symposium on Marine Environmental Sciences

January 12-15, 2027

A Regime Shift in the Ocean's Methane Budget Driven by Rising Atmospheric CH4: A Machine Learning Multi-Model Assessment
ID:1156 Oral Presentation

2027-01-15 10:50 (China Standard Time)

Session: Session 78 - Bidirectional Effects of Algae on Carbon Sequestration and Methane Production Under Global Change

Abstract
Methane (CH4) is a potent greenhouse gas, yet its future air-sea diffusive fluxes under future climate scenarios remain highly uncertain due to the limited observational coverage. Here, we present a multi-model assessment of surface ocean CH4 concentrations and air–sea diffusive fluxes from 1850 to 2100 using four CMIP6 Earth system models and a Random Regression Forest (RRF) trained with a newly compiled observational database comprising more than 280,000 CH4 measurements. We estimate the global oceanic CH4 diffusive flux during 1980–2014 to be 2.6 ± 0.8 Tg CH₄ yr⁻¹, representing a reduction of approximately 79% since 1850, largely driven by increasing atmospheric CH4 concentrations. As atmospheric CH4 continues to rise under SSP370 and SSP585, all four CMIP6 models consistently project a regime shift during the 21st century, with the ocean transitioning from a net source to a net sink of CH4. This projected reversal carries profound implications for the global CH4 budget and future climate change, potentially redefining the ocean’s role in regulating atmospheric CH4.

 
Speaker
ZIjian Chai Xiamen University

Author
ZIjian Chai Xiamen University

    Important Dates

    • Jan 30

      2026

      Session / Event proposals open

    • Mar 31

      2026

      Session / Event proposals close
      (Extended to April 7)

    • Apr 30

      2026

      Session acceptance notifications

    • Apr 30

      2026

      Abstract submissions & registration open

    • Jun 30

      2026

      Abstract submissions close
      (Extended to July 21)

    • Aug 31

      2026

      Abstract acceptance notifications

    • Sep 15

      2026

      Scientific program released

    • Oct 15

      2026

      Early bird registration closes

    • Jan 12–15

      2027

      XMAS 2027