Methane dynamics in a large river: a case study of the Elbe River

0504975 - BC 2020 RIV CH eng J - Journal Article
Matoušů, Anna - Rulík, M. - Tušer, Michal - Bednařík, A. - Šimek, Karel - Bussmann, I.
Methane dynamics in a large river: a case study of the Elbe River.
Aquatic Sciences. Roč. 81, č. 1 (2019), č. článku 12. ISSN 1015-1621. E-ISSN 1420-9055
R&D Projects: GA ČR(CZ) GA13-00243S; GA MŠMT(CZ) EE2.3.20.0204
Institutional support: RVO:60077344
Keywords : diffusive flux * ebullition * Elbe river * methane concentration
OECD category: Marine biology, freshwater biology, limnology
Impact factor: 2.402, year: 2019
Method of publishing: Limited access
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007%2Fs00027-018-0609-9

We conducted multiple small (2011-2012) and one large sampling campaign (2013) at selected profiles along the Elbe River. With the data we were able to outline spatial and temporal variability of methane concentration, oxidation and emissions in one of the major rivers of Central Europe. The highest methane concentrations were found in human-altered riverine habitats, i.e., in a harbor (1,888nmolL(-1)), in a lock and weirs (1409 +/- 1545nmol L-1), and in general in the whole impounded river segment (383 +/- 215nmol L-1). On the other hand, the lowest methane concentrations were found in the lowland river segment (86 +/- 56nmol L-1). The methane oxidation rate was more efficient in the natural segment (71 +/- 113nmol L(-1)day(-1), which means a turnover time of 49 +/- 83day(-1)) than in the lowland segment (4 +/- 3nmolL(-1)day(-1), which means a turnover time of 39 +/- 45day(-1)). Methane emissions from the surface water into the atmosphere ranged from 0.4 to 11.9mg m(-2) day(-1) (mean 2.1 +/- 0.6mg m(-2) day(-1)) with the highest CH4 emissions at the Meissen harbor (94kg CH4 year(-1)). Such human-altered riverine habitats (i.e., harbors and similar) have not been taken into consideration in the CH4 budget before, despite them being part of the river ecosystems, they may be significant CH4 hot-spots. The total CH4 diffusive flux from the whole Elbe was estimated to be approximately 97 t CH4 year(-1).
Permanent Link: http://hdl.handle.net/11104/0297232