Date of Award
Fall 2010
Project Type
Thesis
Program or Major
Earth Science: Geochemical Systems
Degree Name
Master of Science
First Advisor
Ruth Varner
Abstract
Despite leading to a potentially significant positive climate feedback, the processes controlling wetland methane fluxes remain relatively poorly understood. Automated chambers were employed in a temperate peatland site to quantify the timing and magnitude of methane ebullition (bubbling), one of the three pathways for wetland methane flux. The resulting datasets offer high temporal coverage of both components of this flux pathway, allowing for the first analysis of ebullition variability on seasonal, synoptic and diel timescales. The seasonal peak in ebullition occurred in August, likely due to high methane production rates and low methane solubility, both driven by temperature. Synoptic scale variability was driven by hydrostatic pressure variations due to water table position. A daily pattern in ebullition was identified, with peaks at night. Several potential mechanisms for this pattern were explored. The cumulative contribution of ebullition to total methane flux during the summer was estimated to be 2--12%.
Recommended Citation
Goodrich, Jordan, "Identifying temporal patterns and controlling factors in methane ebullition at Sallie's Fen, a temperate peatland site, using automated chambers" (2010). Master's Theses and Capstones. 566.
https://scholars.unh.edu/thesis/566