Title:

Assessing Controls of Methane and Carbon Dioxide Emissions from a Temperate Peatland

Inland waters are a globally significant source of methane (CH4) and carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions to the atmosphere. Due to climate forcing, temperature and productivity levels are increasing in inland waters, which may also increase greenhouse gas emissions from these waters. The interaction of physical and biological factors controlling aquatic emissions could potentially drive positive feedback loops, influencing aquatic greenhouse gas emissions as the climate continues to warm. In this study, we measured CH4 and CO2 emissions using floating chambers and bubble traps, water temperature, pH, aquatic vegetation percent cover, and dissolved organic carbon (DOC) concentrations across a depth gradient at the Old Durham Reservoir in Durham, New Hampshire to assess potential drivers of aquatic trace gas emissions. An aerial survey was also conducted and the results were used to scale ebullitive CH4 fluxes across the reservoir. It was found that net and ebullitive CH4 fluxes increased as depth decreased, but this depth trend was not found for net CO2 fluxes. Differences in CH4 and CO2 fluxes between depth sites may be impacted by differences in vegetation cover. These results further our understanding of CH4 and CO2 emissions from reservoirs as the climate continues to warm.

Name

Comment*

Comments are viewable only by submitter

Captcha*