Methane flux time series for tundra environments

Journal Article · Thu Dec 01 04:00:00 EST 1988 · Global Biogeochemical Cycles; (USA)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1029/GB002i004p00399· OSTI ID:6943494

Whalen, S C; Reeburgh, W E ^[1]

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1. Alaska Univ., Fairbanks (USA)

Seasonal measurements of net methane flux were made at permanent sites representing important components of arctic tundra. The sites include Eriophorum tussocks, intertussock depressions, moss-covered areas, and Carex stands. Methane fluxes showed high diel, seasonal, intra site, and between site variability. Eriophorum tussocks and Carex dominated methane release to the atmosphere, with mean annual net methane fluxes of 8.05 + or{minus}2.50 g CH{sub 4}/sq m and 4.88 + or{minus}0.73 g CH{sub 4}/sq m, respectively. Methane fluxes form the moss sites and intertussock depressions were much lower. Over 90% of the mean annual methane flux from the Eriophorum, intertussock depressions, and Carex sites occurred between thaw and freeze-up. Some 40% of the mean annual methane flux from the moss sites occurred during winter. Composite methane fluxes for tussock tundra and Carex-dominated wet meadow tundra environments were produced by weighting measured component fluxes according to areal coverage. Tussock and wet meadow tundra account for an estimated global methane emission of 19-33 Tg/yr. 39 refs., 7 figs., 2 tabs.

• OSTI ID: 6943494
• Journal Information: Global Biogeochemical Cycles; (USA), Journal Name: Global Biogeochemical Cycles; (USA) Vol. 2:4; ISSN GBCYE; ISSN 0886-6236
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
540120* -- Environment
Atmospheric-- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport-- (1990-)
AIR POLLUTION
ALKANES
AQUATIC ECOSYSTEMS
DIFFUSION
ECOLOGICAL CONCENTRATION
ECOSYSTEMS
HYDROCARBONS
METHANE
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
POLLUTION
POLLUTION SOURCES
SEASONAL VARIATIONS
TUNDRA
VARIATIONS
WETLANDS