Orchestra 
DIGITAL WORLD
BRICS+ Media Centre 
MODERN RUSSIAN 
The study highlights the need to closely monitor the interaction between methane emissions and climate change
Researchers at the Guangzhou Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, have published a study revealing how changes in oceanic sulphate concentrations regulate the way methane is consumed on the seafloor. This mechanism has been described as a “geochemical switch” that influences global climate, according to China Daily, a partner of TV BRICS.
The study shows that even slight variations in oceanic sulphate levels can alter methane metabolism pathways: when sulphate is abundant, microbes efficiently consume methane through sulphate reduction, producing alkaline substances that help mitigate ocean acidification.
Conversely, when sulphate is scarce, methane cannot be effectively broken down, leading to substantial carbon dioxide release and exacerbating climate change.
Analysing a palaeoclimate event from 56 million years ago, the researchers found that Arctic seawater then contained only one-third of modern sulphate levels. This triggered rapid methane combustion and carbon dioxide release, turning the Arctic from a “carbon sink” into a “carbon source,” a pattern that bears similarities to current Arctic warming trends.
As Arctic waters continue to warm and their chemical environment changes, this mechanism could be reactivated. The study highlights the need to closely monitor the interaction between methane emissions and climate change, offering fresh insights into the global carbon cycle.
Photo: pum_eva / iStock
-
![]()
Ecology09.08.26India launches conservation plan to protect elusive clouded leopard habitats -
![]()
Ecology03.08.26India becomes world’s second-fastest growing solar energy market -
![]()
Ecology03.08.26Ethiopians aim to plant 800 million trees in single day -
![]()
Ecology31.07.26Russia and China combine data on Far Eastern leopards and Amur tigers for first time -
![]()
Ecology29.07.26China adds more than 9,200 hectares of new mangrove forests -
![]()
Ecology24.07.26China unveils new forest strategy to expand national tree cover by 2030
-
![Sergey Lavrov]()
Sergey LavrovRussian Foreign Minister"A Joint Statement of the Foreign Ministers has been adopted. It provides a clear and principled assessment of the situation on the international stage and outlines the tasks that will be addressed in accordance with previous decisions by heads of state and governments. No one doubts that additional documents on sectoral areas of cooperation will be developed ahead of the SCO summit in Bishkek. Energy, artificial intelligence, healthcare and a number of other areas were also mentioned" -
![Nitin Gadkari]()
Nitin GadkariIndia's Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways"Our resolution has just been passed. It is very important as far as the BRICS countries are concerned, which cover 40 per cent of the world's population. We are committed to the futuristic development of the transport sector, to create cooperation, coordination and communication between the stakeholders. This resolution indicates a lot of new technology and innovation in the transport sector. It covers the road sector, railways, aviation and water transport" -
![Anutin Charnvirakul]()
Anutin CharnvirakulPrime Minister of Thailand"Russia has been a trusted friend of Thailand for over a century. […] Next year, we will mark the 130th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between our countries. We will commemorate this important milestone with high-level exchanges, thereby reaffirming our shared commitment to an even stronger partnership for the benefit of our peoples"
