Global warming? Scientists find methane source in Arctic seas. Peter N. Spotts

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   "Scientists studying global warming in the Arctic have discovered a previously unknown source of methane working its way into the atmosphere, a source that is releasing large amounts of the gas each year." Methane was discovered in Siberia's northern coast, it is worse then green house gases and carbon dioxide. It is unclear if this source of methane has been in the atmosphere for only recent years or long term. Dr. Shakhova says, "some evidence suggests a role for global warming in the methane's release." The East Siberian Arctic Shelf covers over 800,000 square miles. When the glaciers melted at the end of the last ice age, the northern reaches submerged to become today's continential shelf. It had a layer of permafrost below the surface, along with deposits of methane trapped underneath. Small amounts of warming in bottom water can lead to thawing permafrost and release methane into the atmosphere. Todd Sowers, a paleoclimatologist says, "this is a very important topic. what you'd like to do is go back every 10 years to see if it's changing. That's when you can start saying: These are recent changes."
   This article was fully backed up with research which is why I enjoyed reading it. It showed many different statements from scientists all over the world, which really brought my attention. Evidence was used throughout the article with information from recient and ancient years. I found this argument to be very persuasive, it put notice that because of the temperatures rising, it is melting glaciers that have methane trapped inside of them. These gases are slowly being released into the atmosphere. It showed how the gases got into the glaciers, and showed evidence of how these gases are changing. The article reaches its intended audience very well. It is a newspaper article from Boston, Mass. and Peter Spotts really helps the reader understand what exactly he is talking about.
   This article made me realise how we need to do a better job at preserving our world. Knowing that another gas is slowly being leaked into the atmosphere makes me very suspicious of what else will soon come. People do not understand how important global warming is nowadays. It is rising every year, and although we will not have any short term effects, the long term effects could be horrible. The issue presented in this article is extremely important, and I think it should be shared with many people. The more knowlodge people have on it, the better.