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我国科学家,有新发现!
中国能源报·2025-09-26 07:53

Core Insights - Chinese scientists have discovered a new "chemical switch" that controls global climate through subtle changes in ocean sulfate concentrations, which can alter the consumption of seabed methane [1][4] - The study highlights the potential reactivation of this switch due to rapid warming and freshening of the Arctic Ocean, necessitating close monitoring [1][4] Group 1: Research Findings - Methane is the second-largest greenhouse gas after carbon dioxide, with significant amounts stored as hydrates ("flammable ice") on the seabed [3] - Recent studies indicate that most seabed-released methane dissolves in seawater and is consumed by microorganisms, rather than directly entering the atmosphere [3][4] - The research team reconstructed historical carbon dioxide levels in the Arctic Ocean, revealing that 56 million years ago, the region's CO2 concentration was higher than the global average, indicating a shift from a carbon sink to a carbon source [4] Group 2: Implications - The study suggests that a lack of sulfate in the past led to inefficient methane utilization, resulting in increased carbon dioxide emissions, akin to a power plant operating under fuel shortages [4] - The findings serve as a warning that changes in the Arctic's chemical environment could lead to a similar scenario as 56 million years ago, where methane transitions from efficient use to rapid combustion, exacerbating climate change [4]