【新华社】中国科学家发现控制全球气候新“化学开关”

Core Insights - The study published in the journal "Nature Geoscience" indicates that subtle changes in ocean sulfate concentrations can alter the consumption of seabed methane, acting as a "chemical switch" that controls global climate [2][3] - The research highlights the potential reactivation of this switch due to rapid warming and freshening of the Arctic Ocean, necessitating close monitoring [2] Group 1: Research Findings - The research was conducted by the Guangzhou Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, in collaboration with international teams [2] - The study draws parallels between the current climate change and a significant warming event 56 million years ago, which involved extreme global warming and ocean acidification [2] - Methane, the second-largest greenhouse gas after carbon dioxide, is primarily stored in seabed hydrates, and recent studies show that most seabed-released methane dissolves in seawater and is consumed by microorganisms rather than entering the atmosphere directly [2] Group 2: Mechanism of Methane Consumption - The process of methane consumption is likened to a "slow-burning power plant," where microorganisms use sulfate as fuel to efficiently convert methane while producing alkaline substances that mitigate ocean acidification [3] - During the historical event 56 million years ago, sulfate concentrations in Arctic seawater were less than one-third of current levels, leading to a scenario where methane could not be efficiently utilized, resulting in increased carbon dioxide emissions [3] - The study warns that changes in Arctic seawater chemistry and freshening could lead to a shift from efficient methane utilization to rapid combustion, exacerbating climate change [3]