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The Influence of Hydrochemistry on Methane Emissions from Two Contrasting Northern Wetlands

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Abstract

Methane emissions from an acidic bog and a forested swamp in north Wales, U.K., were measured over a 12 month period. Along with the emission, hydrochemistry (DOC, SO4 2- and NO3 -) and physical factors (temperature, water table level) were determined. At the bog site, the methane emission ranged from 0.15 mg m-2 day-1 to 6.39 mg m-2 day-1, having two peaks in spring and late summer. In contrast, high emission was observed in October (38.95 mg m-2 day-1) and November (75.37 mg m-2 day-1)at the swamp site, which is concurrent with leaf litter production and high DOC concentrations. During the remaining months, the flux varied between –1.33 mg m-2 day-1 and 3.05 mg m-2 day-1. Correlation analyses showed that the methane emission from the acidic bog had a positive correlation with soil temperature, and negative correlations with sulfate and nitrate concentrations in the pore-water. However, a correlation with water table level was absent. Methane emission from the swamp exhibited a negative correlation with sulfate concentration. Our results confirm that methane emissions vary substantially between different types of wetlands, and suggest that under certain conditions, hydrochemistry may be a more critical controlling variable for methane emissions than temperature and water table level.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, Ewha Institute of Science and Technology, Ewha Womans University, Seoul, Korea

    H. Kang

  2. School of Biological Sciences, University of Wales, Bangor, U.K

    C. Freeman

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  1. H. Kang
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  2. C. Freeman
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Correspondence to H. Kang.

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Kang, H., Freeman, C. The Influence of Hydrochemistry on Methane Emissions from Two Contrasting Northern Wetlands. Water, Air, & Soil Pollution 141, 263–272 (2002). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1021324326859

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