Clarification of Methane Emission Sources Using WDCGG Data: Case Study of Anmyeon-do Observatory, Korea

Abstract

Methane concentrations have been monitored at the Anmyeon-do Observatory, Korea, since 1999. In recent years, the methane concentration has increased, but the sources of this increase have yet to be identified. This study was designed to identify the major source contributing to the increase by using World Data Centre for Greenhouse Gases (WDCGG) data and the Greenhouse Gases Emission Presumption (GEP) method. The data were collected at Anmyeon-do between 2003 and 2009 (except 2008), and the analyses showed that the increase in methane concentration originated mainly in rice paddies around the observation point. The annual averagemethane concentration at Anmyeon-do was 1894 ppb, of which 100-103 ppb (5.3-5.4%) was shown to originate mainly from rice paddies. The seasonal fluctuation in methane concentration from May to October estimated by the GEP method was compared with experimental data of previous research conducted on rice paddies. The close match obtained through this comparison shows that the GEP method is effective. The difference in methane concentration was also analyzed in terms of land use and land cover. It was shown that although rice paddies account for only 14.7% of the area surveyed, they accounted for between 69 and 90% of the total increase in methane concentration. These results confirm that rice paddies are the main source of the increase in methane concentration observed at Anmyeon-do.