Methane flux from drained northern peatlands: Effect of a persistent water table lowering on flux

Journal Article · Wed Dec 01 00:00:00 EST 1993 · Global Biogeochemical Cycles; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1029/93GB01931· OSTI ID:6956433

Roulet, N T; Ash, R; Quinton, W ^[1]; Moore, T ^[2]

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1. York Univ., Ontario (Canada)
2. McGill Univ., Quebec (Canada)

Wetlands north of 40 are estimated to contribute 8% of the annual atmospheric burden of methane. Several studies suggest that future emissions would be greater if northern latitudes were to become warmer. Warmer temperatures would result in, among other effects, lowering of water tables. In this study of a forest drainage site n northern Ontario, the effect of lowering the average water table on daily and seasonal methane fluxes from northern peatlands were studied. The results indicate that in a drier northern environment the net methane flux to the atmosphere from peatlands would decrease. 38 refs., 8 figs., 3 tabs.

• OSTI ID: 6956433
• Journal Information: Global Biogeochemical Cycles; (United States), Vol. 7:4; ISSN 0886-6236
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
GREENHOUSE EFFECT
ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS
METHANE
DAILY VARIATIONS
ECOLOGICAL CONCENTRATION
GLOBAL ASPECTS
SEASONAL VARIATIONS
WETLANDS
EMISSION
NORTHERN HEMISPHERE
WATER TABLES
ALKANES
AQUATIC ECOSYSTEMS
CLIMATIC CHANGE
EARTH PLANET
ECOSYSTEMS
HYDROCARBONS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
PLANETS
VARIATIONS
540220* - Environment
Terrestrial- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport- (1990-)
540120 - Environment
Atmospheric- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport- (1990-)