New evidence for CH4 enhancement in the upper troposphere associated with the Asian summer monsoon

Abstract

The Asian summer monsoon (ASM) region is a key region transporting air to the upper troposphere (UT), significantly influencing the distribution and concentration of trace gases, including methane (CH _4 ), an important greenhouse gas. We investigate the seasonal enhancement of CH _4 in the UT over the ASM region, utilizing retrievals from the Atmospheric Infrared Sounder (AIRS), model simulations and in-situ measurements. Both the AIRS data and model simulation reveal a substantial enhancement in CH _4 concentrations within the active monsoon region of up to 3%, referring to the zonal means, and of up to 6% relative to the pre-monsoon season. Notably, the spatial distribution of the CH _4 plume demonstrates a southwestward shift in the AIRS retrievals, in contrast to the model simulations, which predict a broader enhancement, including a significant increase to the east. A cross-comparison with in-situ measurements, including AirCore measurements over the Tibetan Plateau and airline sampling across the ASM anticyclone (ASMA), favors the enhancement represented by model simulation. Remarkable CH _4 enhancement over the west Pacific is also evidenced by in-situ data and simulation as a dynamical extension of the ASMA. Our findings underscore the necessity for cautious interpretation of satellite-derived CH _4 distributions, and highlight the critical role of in-situ data in anchoring the assimilation of CH _4 .

Keywords

• methane enhancement
• Asian summer monsoon
• upper troposphere