The atmospheric CH4 increase since the Last Glacial Maximum. II - Interactions with oxidants

Results of two studies of the effect of changing CH4 fluxes on global tropospheric oxidant levels, O3, OH, and H2O2, performed with a multibox photochemical model, are presented. A sensitivity study is conducted by scaling back CH4, CO, and NO emissions relative to the present-day budget. When the CH4 ice core record is compared to calculated CH4 abundances, corresponding CH4 fluxes for the preindustrial Holocene (PIH) and Last Glacial Maximum (LGM) are fairly well-constrained: 175-225 Tg CH/4/yr for PIH and 100-130 Tg CH4/yr for LGM. Specific scenarios for CH4/CO/NO are selected to represent sources for the PIH and LGM. The CH4 budget is taken from an evaluation of wetlands and other natural sources.