Global stratospheric methane loss from satellite observations.

ABSTRACT: Stratospheric CH₄ oxidation represents both an important sink in the global CH₄ budget and a major source of stratospheric water vapor and hydrogen radicals, exerting strong influences on global climate and ozone chemistry. Yet, the magnitude of stratospheric CH₄ chemical loss remains highly uncertain, with previous estimates largely relying on chemistry-climate models (CCMs). Here, we present an observationally based estimate of stratospheric CH₄ loss (L_STR), derived from the CH₄ diabatic flux across the isentropic surface fitted to the tropical tropopause, using satellite measurements of CH₄ concentration, temperature, and radiative heating rates for 2007-2010. We obtain an L_STR of 49.8

SUBMITTER: Fu Q 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12912900 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature