METHANE IN SURFACE WATERS OF THE ARABIAN SEA

More than 2000 measurements of atmospheric and dissolved methane (CH4) were performed in the central and northwestern Arabian Sea as part of the German JGOFS Arabian Sea Process Study during three cruises in Ma rch, May/June, and June/July 1997. Mean CH4 saturations in the surface waters of the central Arabian Sea were in the range of 103-107%. Sign ificantly enhanced saturations were observed in the coastal upwelling area at the coast of Oman (up to 156%) and in an upwelling filament (u p to 145%). The CH4 surface concentrations in the upwelling area were negatively correlated to sea surface temperatures. Area-weighted, seas onally adjusted estimates of the sea-air fluxes of CH4 gave annual emi ssions from the Arabian Sea of 11-20 Gg CH4, suggesting that previousl y reported very high surface CH4 concentrations might be atypical owin g to the interannual variability of the Arabian Sea and that the emiss ions derived from them are probably overestimates.