Outline What is PERGAMON about? Current State of Knowledge The objectives Scientific Programme

1. PERmafrost and GAs hydrate related methane release in the Arctic and impact on climate change: European cooperation for long-term MONitoring PERGAMON oc-2008-2-3030 Presented by: Dr. Jens Greinert, Royal NIOZ (The Netherlands) On behalf of scientists from Europe, US, Russia

2. Outline What is PERGAMON about? Current State of Knowledge The objectives Scientific Programme Organisation Timeline & Deliverables Gender balance Reply to Reviewer comments First workshop of PERGAMON participants ... ... and what came next

3. What is PERGAMON about? Scientifically PERGAMON wants to quantify the methane input from marine and terrestrial sources into the atmosphere in the Arctic region, to evaluate the impact of Arctic methane release on global climate. This will be achieved by study of the origin and type of occurrence (dissolved/free gas, gas hydrate) of different methane sources (both on land and in the sub-seabed) as well as the methane migration mechanisms, biogeochemical turnover, release mechanism, to finally quantify the fluxes into the atmosphere.

4. What is PERGAMON about? As COST Action PERGAMON wants to serve as forum to bring scientists from the marineenvironment, terrestrialscientist, atmosphericscience and remote sensing together and bridge the gap that exists between these different communities to work as one. The aims are to stimulate cooperation between the partners of the Action and relevant national, EU and international programmes (workshops, conferences, STSMs); to Increase knowledge transfer and exchange of data; to support and incorporate Early-Stage-Researchers in the Action e.g. due participation in field campaigns and special short-course; to raise the awareness of the importance of methane release in the Arctic from marine and terrestrial sources for global climate; to initiate and strengthen European efforts to establish long-term ‘multi-purpose’ monitoring stations in key areas of the Arctic.

5. What is PERGAMON about? The man-made increase in greenhouse gases cannot be denied, the question is how the natural sources and sinks will react on this. IPCC, 2007 IPCC, 2007

6. What is PERGAMON about? The strongest temperature increase will happen in Arctic and we have to identify, study and monitor its consequences. IPCC, 2007 IPCC, 2007

7. What is PERGAMON about? Arctic permafrost is melting and will accelerate to melt, releasing methane from thawing soil, wetlands and gas hydrates. Lentuit, 2008 Arctic Permafrost

8. What is PERGAMON about? The amount of gas hydrate around the world represents about 13,333 - 5,333 Tg of methane. We don’t know how much gas hydrate is stored in the Arctic, but it will be a lot. Potential Gas Hydrate Soloviev, 1999

9. What is PERGAMON about?

10. What is PERGAMON about? • Methane sources (IPCC 2007) • Natural Sources 145-260 Tg/a • Wetlands 100-231 • Termites 20-29 • Oceans 4-15 ? • Hydrates 4-5 ? • Geological sources 4-14 • Wild animals 15 • Wildfires 2-5 • Anthropogenic sources 264-428 Tg/a • Energy & industry (fossil fuel) 74-106 • Landfills & waste 35-69 • Ruminants 76-92 • Rice agriculture 31-112 • Biomass burning 14-88 • Total 503-610 Tg/a

11. BSR structures at Ritchie Bank (I. Pecher GNS) Current State of Knowledge? Quantification of free gas and gas hydrate in the seafloor Seismic techniques constitute by far the most widely applied method for detecting the presence of hydrate and (methane) gas in sediment. MCS, 3DSeismic, CSEM.

12. Current State of Knowledge? The role of microbes in methane production and turnover in marine sediments The processes in the sediment and the seafloor surface at fluid expulsion sites, seeps, define the amount of gas that will be released into the water column.

13. Current State of Knowledge? Methane fluxes from the sea- or lake floor towards the atmosphere

14. Current State of Knowledge? Methane fluxes from the sea- or lake floor towards the atmosphere

15. Current State of Knowledge? Gas hydrate and gas in terrestrial permafrost

16. Current State of Knowledge? Gas hydrate and gas in terrestrial permafrost

17. Current State of Knowledge?

18. Current State of Knowledge? Methane fluxes from Arctic wetlands

19. Current State of Knowledge? Methane fluxes from Arctic wetlands

20. Current State of Knowledge? Methane monitoring in the atmosphere

21. Current State of Knowledge? Methane monitoring in the atmosphere The northern hemisphere release 2/3 of the methane transported into the atmosphere.

22. The Objectives (science) Objective A: To determine the amount of methane (as free gas and gas hydrate) in the seabed and terrestrial permafrost by geophysical methods. To establish the role of tectonics, stratigraphy and sediment type in regulating gas hydrate and seep systems. Objective B: To improve understanding of the biogeochemical processes at the water-sediment interface and, at seep sites, to assess the control of benthic microbial communities on gas hydrate/methane systems and methane fluxes in particular. Objective C: To investigate the physical and chemical dynamics of methane hydrate formation and decomposition on land and in the ocean and to use this knowledge to determine how fast, and under which future warming scenarios, gas hydrate will decompose. Objective D: To quantify methane fluxes from the seabed into the water column, and from the water column into the atmosphere, and to assess the physical and biochemical controls on the fate of methane in the ocean. Objective E: To quantify the methane flux into the atmosphere from tundra at the present-day, and to predict how this flux might vary in the future. Objective F: To monitor the seasonal and isotopic variability of Arctic methane in the atmosphere, as shown by time series of concentration and C isotopic ratio; assess sources by field campaigns and trajectory analyses, as well as by satellite retrievals. Objective G: To integrate geochemical, sedimentological, geophysical, oceanographic and (micro)biological data for quantitative model testing of the different sub-systems and the overall integrated methane fluxes in the Arctic. Objective H: To develop new tools, methodologies and approaches that will enable Action partners to better understand the processes that regulate the Arctic methane system. Objective I: Publish the scientific results in high ranked international journals. The compilation of Special Issues about certain topics (e.g. compiling results from research cruises to the same area; compiling flux papers from on- and offshore with remote sensing results) is aimed for.

23. The Objectives (COST Action) Objective J: To stimulate cooperation between the partners of the Action and relevant national, EU and international programmes. Five workshops and two conferences are planned in addition to Working Group meetings organized by the Action during other conferences. Objective K: Increase knowledge transfer and exchange of data, and to provide logistical support for field campaigns via the PERGAMON webpage. Objective L: Support and incorporate Early-Stage-Researchers in the Action e.g. due participation in field campaigns and special short-course programs prior or after workshops and conferences organized by the Action (in total 7 short course programs are planned) Objective M: To raise the awareness of the importance of methane release in the Arctic from marine and terrestrial sources for global climate, amongst both the public and policy makers. Objective N: To initiate and strengthen European efforts to establish long-term ‘multi-purpose’ monitoring stations in key areas of the Arctic (both in the oceans and on land)

24. Scientific Programme • Methane formation, transport, accumulation (free gas and gas hydrate) in terrestrial and marine sediments and permafrost • Methane formation • Quantification of reservoirs of methane (seismic & CSEM) • Reservoir modelling of methane fluxes • Seep detection and mapping • Biogeochemical processes in the shallow sub-seafloor and at the sediment-water interface around seep sites • Gas hydrate dissociation and methane transport • Microbial consumption of methane from dissociating gas hydrates • Biogeochemical reactions resulting from methanotrophy in sediments • Methane fluxes from the sea/lake-floor into the atmosphere • Methane distribution in the water column • Bubble dissolution/gas stripping and atmospheric fluxes

25. Scientific Programme • Methane fluxes from the terrestrial environment (wetlands, Tundra, Arctic-lakes) • Quantification of methane fluxes from terrestrial Arctic environments • Methane in regions of the freshwater marine interface • Modelling methane flux in Permafrost • Atmospheric methane monitoring and global implications for current and future Arctic warming • Install new monitoring stations and compile CH4 and CO2 concentrations on long-term • Improve remote sensing and pay close attention to the Arctic area

26. Scientific Programme - Execution • Execution of the scientific work will be done and funded by who? • National, European and international research efforts for terrestrial and marine field campaigns will be used to acquire more data: • AWI-Hausgarten (Germany) Svalbard • LOOME (ESONET DemoMission) Hakan Moosby MV • MASOX (ESONET DemoMission) Svalbard • CARBO-North (EU FP6) • MARI (PolarCLIMATE ESF) Beaufort Sea, Svalbard, Kara Sea • USGS Gas Hydrate program • IPY Projects and follow ups • RUSALKA (US-Russia) • EGLACOM (Italy) Svalbard • LOMROGII 6 and other cruises • … • New Projects e.g. in FP7 or FP8

27. PERGAMON Organisation There will be a Management Committee, WG, WG-leaders, STSM, workshops, conferences, MC-meetings, WG-meetings WG-A: Methane formation, transport and accumulation (free gas and gas hydrate) in terrestrial and marine sediments and permafrost WG-B1: Biogeochemical processes in the shallow sub-seafloor and at the sediment-water interface WG-B2: Effectiveness of methane transport through the water column (ocean and lakes) and assessment of methane fluxes into the atmosphere WG-C1: Methane fluxes from the terrestrial environment (wetlands, tundra, Arctic lakes) WG-C2: Remote and land-based atmospheric methane monitoring WG-D: Data compilation, integration and organization of data distribution among the scientific community; This WG will also provide the PERGAMON Web-interface and includes the Web-coordinator responsible for the Action web site

28. Timeline & Deliverables

29. Gender balance • Female scientists will be strongly encouraged (particularly asked) to take a leading role in the MC (8 of 26 proposed MC members are female scientists) • Female scientists will be strongly encouraged (particularly asked) to take a leading role WG leader! • Female ESR will be encouraged to start (PhD) or proceed with their career (PostDoc) • Special email list list will be setup to link participating female scientist effectively • Special portal on the project web page • Establishing a separate WG or committee especially concerned with gender balance issues was deemed an inappropriate measure during proposal writing.

30. Review comments • Something missing in the Text: section E.2 ‘Tasks of the WGs’ • “The WGs will: …. ” • Define detailed objectives and deliverables during their first assembly • Help the MC setting/adjusting the milestones throughout the course of the Action • Contribute to the organization of the annual WG meeting and of conferences • Establish a network within the Working Groups of top-level high impact research groups • Promote scientific interactions, privileged dissemination of information and exchange of materials • Encourage multidisciplinary collaborations • Promote exchange of Early-Stage Researchers with an emphasis on methodological training, and state–of-the-art science during STSMs.

31. Review comments • Explain better: deliverables as well as networking / coordination / harmonization activities • Scientific and COST deliverables as explained • Networking: Workshops, conferences, short courses, joined research activities, compiling and sharing data • Coordination: via MC and WGs • Harmonization activities: Informing about scientific results and planned/ongoing research plans will automatically ‘merge’ unrelated efforts and harmonize (better organize) the work and output • Weakness: The nature of the cooperation between the national research activities is not sufficiently specified. • Sharing and compiling data for joint use • Plan and perform joint cruises and field expeditions • Plan and apply for new research grants/projects at EU, ESF, bilateral cooperation (within the EU, internationally)

32. First workshop of PERGAMON participants ... Developing Long Term International Collaboration on Methane Hydrate Research and Monitoring in the Arctic Ocean An international, informal workshop at Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research NIOZ Texel, The Netherlands 18 – 20 February 2009 Aims: Inform about ongoing and planned projects Setup new co-operations Establish long-term plans for monitoring Hear the latest results from Arctic research www.nioz.nl/arctic

33. 3. Denmark 8. Norway Participating Countries and Institutes: 5. Germany 2. New Zealand 4. Sweden 1. Belgium 6. USA 7. United Kingdom 9. Switzerland 10. Italy 11. The Netherlands 12. France 13. Russia Financial Support by: 14. Spain 15. Canada

34. ... and what came next? The participating scientist agreed to approach the EU (PC/ENV) for adding a new research call in FP7. A joined initiative resulted in a new call text that was sent before 3rd March to EU-representatives from Belgium, The Netherlands, UK, Sweden, Norway, Germany, Italy, Spain, and Denmark. Changes in methane release from Arctic Regions in a warming environment and its impact on the climate system The main objectives are to precisely identify and quantify the emissions of methane from various sources and the processes involved in onshore and offshore Arctic regions and their contribution to current and future atmospheric methane concentrations. Atmospheric long-term monitoring and advanced remote sensingby satellite, together with observations on recent (decadal/centennial) and past (glacial/ interglacial) changes in the Arctic methane budgetneed to be incorporated to establish the current flux in Arctic methanerelease, its variability and its impact on the climate system. Quantifications of the total amount of methane stored in submarine sediments, gas hydrates and permafrost (offshore and onshore), and ecosystem changes that influence methane production/ oxidation are essential to predict future global warming scenarios. Defining the effectiveness of the biological filter at the seafloor and in the water column, as well as the effectiveness of CO2 and CH4 uptake versus release from Arctic oceans and wetlandsneeds to be incorporated in regional to global coupled ocean-atmosphere models.Different time scales of processes, e.g. of heat pulse propagation, permafrost melting, gas hydrate decomposition, sediment destabilization and the biogeochemical/atmospheric response should be addressed. Technical developmentsand efforts in marine long-term monitoring (cabled and moored; benthic instruments) are ideally linked to atmospheric long-term measurements. Funding scheme: Collaborative Project (medium to large scale focused research projects) Expected Impact: The project will promote the multidisciplinary approach that is required to answer the question if, under which conditions and how fast the various Arctic methane sources will have a significant impact on the atmospheric methane concentrations. It will improve our understanding of the current state of Arctic methane release, both onshore and offshore. Finally, it will stimulate the compilation and dissemination of relevant data and strengthen the cooperation between Europe, United States, Canada, Russia and Japan.

35. ... and what came next? The participating scientist agreed to “attack” the EU for adding a new research call in FP7. A joined initiative resulted in a new call text that was sent before 3rd March to EU-representatives from Belgium, The Netherlands, UK, Sweden, Norway, Germany, Italy, Spain, and Denmark. Changes in methane release from Arctic Regions in a warming environment and its impact on the climate system The main objectives are to precisely identify and quantify the emissions of methane from various sources and the processes involved in onshore and offshore Arctic regions and their contribution to current and future atmospheric methane concentrations. Atmospheric long-term monitoringand advanced remote sensingby satellite, together with observations on recent (decadal/centennial) and past (glacial/ interglacial) changes in the Arctic methane budgetneed to be incorporated to establish the current flux in Arctic methanerelease, its variability and its impact on the climate system. Quantifications of the total amount of methane stored in submarine sediments, gas hydrates and permafrost (offshore and onshore),and ecosystem changes that influence methane production/ oxidation are essential to predict future global warming scenarios. Defining the effectiveness of the biological filter at the seafloor and in the water column, as well as the effectiveness of CO2 and CH4 uptake versus release from Arctic oceans and wetlandsneeds to be incorporated in regional to global coupled ocean-atmosphere models.Different time scales of processes, e.g. of heat pulse propagation, permafrost melting, gas hydrate decomposition, sediment destabilization and the biogeochemical/atmospheric response should be addressed. Technical developmentsand efforts in marine long-term monitoring (cabled and moored; benthic instruments) are ideally linked to atmospheric long-term measurements. Funding scheme: Collaborative Project (medium to large scale focused research projects) Expected Impact: The project will promote the multidisciplinary approach that is required to answer the question if, under which conditions and how fast the various Arctic methane sources will have a significant impact on the atmospheric methane concentrations. It will improve our understanding of the current state of Arctic methane release, both onshore and offshore. Finally, it will stimulate the compilation and dissemination of relevant data and strengthen the cooperation between Europe, United States, Canada, Russia and Japan.

36. What is PERGAMON about?