辽河口滨海湿地CH4排放特征及其影响因素

采用静态箱-气相色谱法,于2016年6—11月连续观测辽河口芦苇湿地、翅碱蓬湿地和裸滩湿地的CH_4排放速率,同时测定温度、氧化还原电位(Eh)、pH值和电导率(EC)等相关环境因子的动态变化。结果表明,3种类型湿地的CH_4排放具有明显的季节变化特征,均呈先上升后下降趋势。芦苇湿地、翅碱蓬湿地(涨潮前)和裸滩湿地(涨潮前)CH_4排放通量变化范围分别为0.447—10.40、0.045—0.509 mg m~(-2) h~(-1)和0.016—0.593 mg m~(-2) h~(-1),观测期内排放通量均值相应为(3.699±3.679)、(0.165±0.156) mg m~(-2) h~(-1)和(0.198±0.191) mg m~(-2) h~(-1),不同类型湿地之间差异显著(P0.01),芦苇湿地裸滩湿地(涨潮前)翅碱蓬湿地(涨潮前)。涨潮过程中,翅碱蓬湿地和裸滩湿地的排放速率分别变化在0.009—0.353 mg m~(-2) h~(-1)和0.018—0.335 mg m~(-2) h~(-1),观测期间其排放速率均值分别为(0.119±0.132) mg m~(-2) h~(-1)和(0.131±0.103) mg m~(-2) h~(-1),明显低于涨潮前(P0.01)。不同湿地类型间CH_4排放通量与电导率(EC)呈显著负相关(P0.01)。研究结果表明,潮汐和电导率均为影响辽河口不同类型湿地中CH_4排放的关键因子。     

神农架主要森林土壤CH4、CO2和N2O排放对降水减少的响应

研究降水格局改变后森林土壤温室气体排放格局,可为森林温室气体排放清单制定提供科学依据。以神农架典型森林类型常绿落叶阔叶混交林和2种人工林马尾松和杉木林为研究对象,研究了降水格局改变后,其土壤CH_4吸收、CO_2和N_2O的排放格局和可能机制。结果表明:常绿落叶阔叶混交林吸收CH_4通量为(-36.79±13.99)μg Cm~(-2)h~(-1),显著大于马尾松和杉木两种人工林的CH_4吸收通量,其吸收通量分别为(-14.10±3.38)μg Cm~(-2)h~(-1)和(-7.75±2.80)μg Cm~(-2)h~(-1)。马尾松和杉木两种人工林CO_2排放通量分别为(107.03±12.11)μg Cm~(-2)h~(-1)和(80.82±10.29)μg Cm~(-2)h~(-1),显著大于常绿落叶阔叶混交林(71.27±10.59)μg Cm~(-2)h~(-1)。常绿落叶阔叶混交林N_2O排放通量为(8.88±6.75)μg Nm~(-2)h~(-1),显著大于杉木人工林(5.93±2.79)μg Nm~(-2)h~(-1)和马尾松人工林(1.64±1.02)μg Nm~(-2)h~(-1)。分析3种森林土壤CH_4吸收量与其环境因子之间的关系发现,常绿落叶阔叶混交林的CH_4吸收通量与其土壤温度呈现显著的指数负相关关系(P0.01)。常绿落叶阔叶混交林、马尾松林和杉木林的土壤CO_2排放通量与其空气温度和土壤温度之间均呈现显著的指数正相关关系(P0.01)。常绿落叶阔叶混交林和马尾松林土壤N_2O排放通量与空气温度之间均呈现显著的指数正相关关系(P0.01),而马尾松林与土壤温度之间呈显著正相关(P0.05),与土壤湿度之间均无显著相关。降水减半后,减少降水对常绿落叶阔叶混交林和马尾松林土壤CH_4吸收通量均具有明显的促进作用,但对杉木林土壤CH_4吸收量具有抑制作用,对常绿落叶阔叶混交林和杉木林土壤CO_2平均排放通量均具有明显的促进作用,而对马尾松林土壤CO_2平均排放通量明显抑制作用,对常绿落叶阔叶混交林、马尾松和杉木林土壤N_2O排放量具有明显的抑制作用。     

闽江河口湿地土壤CH4产生与氧化速率对外源氮、硫添加的响应

通过室内培养实验,研究了外源氮、硫添加对闽江河口湿地土壤CH_4产生/氧化速率以及土壤理化性质的短期影响。NH_4Cl(N1)和NH_4NO_3(N3)处理在各培养阶段均显著促进土壤CH_4产生速率(P0.05),较对照分别提高136.70%和136.55%;NH_4Cl+K_2SO_4(NS1)和NH_4NO_3+K_2SO_4(NS3)处理在培养第3、6、12、15和18天均显著促进了CH_4产生速率(P0.05)。KNO_3(N2)、K_2SO_4(S)处理在不同培养时间对CH_4产生速率影响均不显著(P0.05);KNO_3+K_2SO_4(NS2)处理除在第21天外(P0.05),其他时间影响均不显著(P0.05)。N2、N3、NS2和NS3处理均显著促进了土壤CH_4氧化速率(P0.05),平均CH4氧化速率较CK分别提高了145.30%、142.93%、139.48%和112.68%。整体而言,不同添加处理并没有显著改变湿地土壤CH_4产生/氧化速率的时间变化规律,各处理均表现为随培养时间先增加而后逐渐降低。短期培养结束后,土壤可溶性有机碳(DOC)、电导率、p H值在不同处理间均不存在显著差异(P0.05);土壤NH+4-N含量在N1、N3、NS1和NS3处理下,NO_3~--N含量在N2、N3、NS2和NS3处理下,SO_4~(2-)含量在S、NS1、NS2和NS3处理下均显著高于对照处理(P0.05)。相关分析显示,DOC、铵态氮(NH+4-N)和硝态氮(NO_3~--N)是氮、硫添加处理下影响闽江河口湿地土壤CH_4产生/氧化速率短期变化的主要控制因素。     

博斯腾湖人工和天然芦苇湿地土壤CO2、CH4和N2O排放通量

为研究干旱区淡水湖泊人工、天然芦苇湿地土壤温室气体源汇强度及其影响因素,采用静态箱-气相色谱法,于2015年1月—12月对博斯腾湖人工和天然芦苇湿地土壤CO_2、CH_4和N_2O通量进行全年观测。结果表明,人工芦苇湿地土壤CO_2、CH_4和N_2O排放通量变化范围分别为:10.1—588.4mg m~(-2)h~(-1)、2.9—82.4μg m~(-2)h~(-1)和1.32—29.7μg m~(-2)h~(-1),天然芦苇湿地土壤CO_2、CH_4和N_2O排放通量变化范围分别为10.3—469.6mg m~(-2)h~(-1)、3.1—64.8μg m~(-2)h~(-1)和1.9—14.3μg m~(-2)h~(-1)。人工和天然芦苇湿地夏季土壤CO_2排放通量均明显高于其他季节,而土壤CH_4和N_2O排放通量较大值多集中在春末夏初。全年观测期间,人工芦苇湿地土壤CO_2、CH_4和N_2O排放通量高于天然芦苇湿地(P0.05);温度是影响人工、天然芦苇湿地土壤CO_2和N_2O排放通量的关键因素,近地面温度和5cm土壤温度与CO_2和N_2O排放通量呈现极显著的正相关关系(P0.01)。土壤CH_4排放通量是温度和水分二者共同影响的,由近地表温度、5cm土壤温度和土壤含水量共同拟合的方程可以分别解释人工、天然芦苇湿地土壤CH_4排放通量的71%、74.5%;土壤有机碳、pH、盐分、NH_4~+-N、NO_3~--N也是人工、天然芦苇湿地土壤CO_2、CH_4和N_2O排放通量的影响因素;人工和天然芦苇湿地土壤均是CO_2、CH_4和N_2O的"源"。基于100年尺度,由3种温室气体计算全球增温潜势得出,人工芦苇湿地全球增温潜势大于天然芦苇湿地(15150.18kg/hm~212484.21kg/hm~2)。     

张掖湿地甲烷通量动态特征及其影响因子

于2012年7月—2014年6月对地处干旱区的张掖湿地甲烷(CH_4)通量进行观测,分析其CH_4通量的变化特征及其影响因子。结果表明:CH_4通量的日变化趋势总体表现为白天大于夜间;不同季节CH_4通量排放特征差异明显,夏季最大,春秋次之,冬季最小;CH_4通量日总量与空气温度、土壤温度之间指数相关关系显著,其中4 cm处土壤温度与之相关性最强;1—6月摩擦风速(U*)与CH_4通量显著正相关;结合CO_2通量观测数据,研究时段张掖湿地净碳吸收量为495.92 g C m~(-2)a~(-1),为明显碳汇。     

放牧对若尔盖高原湿地CH4排放的影响

湿地是大气甲烷(CH_4)的主要排放源,而有关放牧对湿地CH_4排放的影响特征仍未得到足够的报道。因此,通过静态箱法,研究了放牧对四川省若尔盖高原湿地CH_4排放的影响,CH_4气体通过快速温室气体分析仪测量。结果表明:放牧样地和围栏内样地生长季CH_4排放量为(31.32±19.57)g/m~2和(30.31±23.46)g/m~2,它们之间无差异显著;但是集中放牧期间(7—9月),放牧样地(21.01±12.35)g/m~2较围栏内样地显著增加了CH_4排放量为54.3%。2014年生长季期间通过刈割植物模拟放牧表明两种刈割强度CH_4排放量为(5.01±5.37)g/m~2和(4.69±5.99)g/m~2,较未刈割样地(1.15±1.89)g/m~2增加了335.9%和308.0%,其原因可能是放牧或者刈割减少地表植物生物量,降低植物高度,缩短了CH_4排放的路径距离。该结果可为我国高原湿地保护与管理决策提供基础数据支撑。     

冬季水分管理和水稻覆膜栽培对川中丘陵地区冬水田CH4排放的影响

采用静态箱-气相色谱法观测冬季水分管理和水稻覆膜栽培对川中丘陵地区冬水田全年的CH_4排放通量。试验设置持续淹水(CF)、冬季直接落干+稻季淹水(TF)与冬季覆膜落干+稻季覆膜(PM)3个处理。结果表明,冬季休闲期,CF、TF和PM处理CH_4排放分别为16.1、1.4 g/m~2和2.7 g/m~2;水稻生长期,CF、TF和PM处理CH_4排放分别为57.7、27.7 g/m~2和13.5 g/m~2。相较于CF处理,TF与PM处理分别减少其全年CH_4排放60.6%和78.0%。TF与PM处理水稻生长期CH_4排放峰值分别较CF处理低33.0%和56.1%。休闲期,TF、PM处理厢面与厢沟区域CH_4排放与土壤温度显著正相关(P0.05),与土壤氧化还原电位(土壤Eh)显著负相关(P0.05),而CF处理CH_4排放仅与土壤温度显著正相关(P0.05)。水稻生长期,CF处理CH_4排放与土壤温度显著正相关(P0.05),与土壤Eh显著负相关(P0.05),TF处理CH_4排放仅与土壤Eh显著负相关(P0.05),PM处理厢沟CH_4排放与土壤Eh显著正相关(P0.05)。各处理水稻生长期土壤可溶性有机碳含量(DOC)与微生物生物量碳含量(MBC)显著高于休闲期(P0.05)。研究结果为进一步研究冬水田全年CH_4排放规律及寻求有效的减排措施提供数据支撑和科学依据。     

植被恢复对库布齐沙漠非生长季土壤CH4、N2O通量的影响

荒漠土壤温室气体排放是陆地碳氮循环的重要组成部分,目前人工建植促进植被恢复对非生长季荒漠土壤CH_4、N_2O通量的影响尚不明确。本研究采用静态暗箱-气相色谱和时空替代法,分析非生长季库布齐沙漠东部不同植被恢复阶段土壤CH_4、N_2O通量特征及其与环境因子之间的关系,探讨植被恢复对非生长季荒漠土壤温室气体排放的影响。结果表明:非生长季荒漠土壤是CH_4的吸收汇,也是N_2O的排放源。不同植被恢复阶段CH_4平均吸收量和N_2O排放量均表现为:苔藓结皮固定沙地(47.6μg CH_4 m~(-2) h~(-1), 13.5μg N_2O m~(-2) h~(-1))地衣结皮固定沙地(32.2μg CH_4 m~(-2) h~(-1), 9.1μg N_2O m~(-2) h~(-1))藻结皮固定沙地(23.7μg CH_4 m~(-2) h~(-1), 8.7μg N_2O m~(-2) h~(-1))半固定沙地(22.4μg CH_4 m~(-2) h~(-1), 5.0μg N_2O m~(-2) h~(-1))流动沙地(18.7μg CH_4 m~(-2) h~(-1), 3.9μg N_2O m~(-2) h~(-1))。荒漠土壤在不同冻结时期温室气体排放存在较大差异,融冻期CH_4吸收贡献率最大,在结冻期N_2O排放贡献率最大。非生长季荒漠土壤存在明显的水热同期现象,土壤水热因子对N_2O通量的影响较小,仅半固定沙地土壤温度与N_2O通量呈显著正相关;而在藻类、地衣和苔藓结皮固定沙地中,土壤温度和含水量均与CH_4通量呈显著负相关。植被恢复过程中,生物量的积累和土壤理化性质的改善,能够显著影响荒漠土壤CH_4、N_2O通量的变化。因此,人工建植促进植被恢复实现沙漠化逆转可改变荒漠生态系统的温室气体排放格局。     

川中丘陵区覆膜栽培再生稻对CH4排放的影响

为探讨覆膜栽培再生稻对CH_4排放的影响,采用静态箱-气相色谱法观测了川中丘陵区2016和2017年覆膜条件下再生稻田的CH_4排放通量。试验设置覆膜单季中稻(SR)和覆膜中稻-再生稻(SR-RR)两个处理。结果表明:SR-RR处理中稻季提前出现CH_4排放峰,再生季CH_4排放量少,约占两季总排放的8%—10%。全观测期内SR-RR处理两季的CH_4排放总量为103—306 kg/hm~2,比SR处理的单季排放量高11%—16%(P0.05)。SR-RR处理两季稻谷总产量为10.2—10.4 t/hm~2,比SR处理高出19%—22%(P0.05)。SR-RR处理单位产量的CH_4排放量为9.9—30.1 kg/t、,比SR处理减少6%(P0.05)。覆膜条件下种植再生稻,可保证水稻高产稳产,减少单位产量的CH_4排放量,值得推广。     

湿地微生物介导的甲烷排放机制

湿地生态系统是陆地上巨大的有机碳库,同时也是大气中甲烷(CH_4)的主要排放源。由于CH_4对全球的增温潜能是CO2的34倍,因此关于湿地CH_4排放在全球气候变化中有关碳汇、碳源的研究具有极其重要的意义。全球80%–90%的CH_4排放离不开微生物活动,湿地生态系统中产CH_4菌和CH_4氧化菌的种类组成、数量及功能与CH_4通量密切相关,但基于湿地生态系统中介导CH_4循环的功能微生物对甲烷排放通量的影响及作用机制研究相对比较分散。为更好地认识微生物介导的CH_4排放过程的微生物调控机制,本文综述了湿地生态系统中参与CH_4循环的功能微生物,对介导CH_4循环相关微生物活性的影响因子进行了回顾,重点总结了湿地生态系统微生物介导的CH_4排放机制,并对未来的相关研究方向进行了展望。由于湿地微生物介导的碳循环过程也可能决定了湿地生态系统对全球气候变暖的反馈,因此本文也能为全球气候变化研究提供微生物方面的参考。     

Vegetation heterogeneity and ditches create spatial variability in methane fluxes from peatlands drained for forestry

Drainage of peatlands for forestry starts a succession of ground vegetation in which mire species are gradually replaced by forest species. Some mire plant communities vanish quickly following the water-level drawdown; some may prevail longer in the moister patches of peatland. Drainage ditches, as a new kind of surface, introduce another component of spatial variation in drained peatlands. These variations were hypothesized to affect methane (CH₄) fluxes from drained peatlands. Methane fluxes from different plant communities and unvegetated surfaces, including ditches, were measured at the drained part of Lakkasuo mire, Central Finland. The fluxes were found to be related to peatland site type, plant community, water-table position and soil temperature. At nutrient-rich fen sites fluxes between plant communities differed only a little: almost all plots acted as CH₄ sinks (−0.9 to −0.4 mg CH₄ m⁻² d⁻¹), with the exception of Eriophorum angustifolium Honck. communities, which emitted 0.9 g CH₄ m⁻² d⁻¹. At nutrient-poor bog site the differences between plant communities were clearer. The highest emissions were measured from Eriophorum vaginatum L. communities (29.7 mg CH₄ m⁻² d⁻¹), with a decreasing trend to Sphagna (10.0 mg CH₄ m⁻² d⁻¹) and forest moss communities (2.6 mg CH₄ m⁻² d⁻¹). CH₄ emissions from different kinds of ditches were highly variable, and extremely high emissions (summertime averages 182–600 mg CH₄ m⁻² d⁻¹) were measured from continuously water-covered ditches at the drained fen. Variability in the emissions was caused by differences in the origin and movement of water in the ditches, as well as differences in vegetation communities in the ditches. While drainage on average greatly decreases CH₄ emissions from peatlands, a great spatial variability in fluxes is emerged. Emissions from ditches constantly covered with water, may in some cases have a great impact on the overall CH₄ emissions from drained peatlands.     

Methane emissions from rice paddies natural wetlands,lakes in China: synthesis new estimate

Sources of methane (CH₄) become highly variable for countries undergoing a heightened period of development due to both human activity and climate change. An urgent need therefore exists to budget key sources of CH₄, such as wetlands (rice paddies and natural wetlands) and lakes (including reservoirs and ponds), which are sensitive to these changes. For this study, references in relation to CH₄ emissions from rice paddies, natural wetlands, and lakes in China were first reviewed and then reestimated based on the review itself. Total emissions from the three CH₄ sources were 11.25 Tg CH₄ yr^?1 (ranging from 7.98 to 15.16 Tg CH₄ yr^?1). Among the emissions, 8.11 Tg CH₄ yr^?1 (ranging from 5.20 to 11.36 Tg CH₄ yr^?1) derived from rice paddies, 2.69 Tg CH₄ yr^?1 (ranging from 2.46 to 3.20 Tg CH₄ yr^?1) from natural wetlands, and 0.46 Tg CH₄ yr^?1 (ranging from 0.33 to 0.59 Tg CH₄ yr^?1) from lakes (including reservoirs and ponds). Plentiful water and warm conditions, as well as its large rice paddy area make rice paddies in southeastern China the greatest overall source of CH₄, accounting for approximately 55% of total paddy emissions. Natural wetland estimates were slightly higher than the other estimates owing to the higher CH₄ emissions recorded within Qinghai‐Tibetan Plateau peatlands. Total CH₄ emissions from lakes were estimated for the first time by this study, with three quarters from the littoral zone and one quarter from lake surfaces. Rice paddies, natural wetlands, and lakes are not constant sources of CH₄, but decreasing ones influenced by anthropogenic activity and climate change. A new progress‐based model used in conjunction with more observations through model‐data fusion approach could help obtain better estimates and insights with regard to CH₄ emissions deriving from wetlands and lakes in China.     

不同水位管理对恢复泥炭地土壤CO2、CH4排放的影响

泥炭地水文条件影响泥炭地生物地球化学循环,控制和维持着泥炭地生态系统的结构和功能,是泥炭地生态恢复的重要前提。然而,目前关于恢复泥炭地土壤碳排放对不同水位的响应尚不明确。以长白山区天然（NP）、退耕（DP）及实施不同水文管理的恢复泥炭地（低水位（LR）、高水位（HR）与高低交替水位（H-LR））为研究对象,采用静态箱-气相色谱法对研究区泥炭地进行生长季（6-10月）土壤CO₂、CH₄排放监测。结果表明：温度和水位变化是研究区泥炭地土壤CO₂、CH₄排放季节变化的主控因子。H-LR受水位控制的影响,生长季土壤CO₂排放速率波动剧烈,其它水位管理恢复区土壤CO₂排放速率呈单峰型排放模式,且均与近地表温度呈指数相关（P<0.05）。除HR外,土壤CO₂排放速率与水位呈显著负相关（P<0.05）。生长季,研究区HR土壤CH₄排放速率呈双峰型,H-LR与NP的土壤CH₄排放呈单峰型,与近地表温度呈指数相关（P<0.05）,LR水位与CH₄排放速率显著正相关（P<0.05）。研究区不同水位管理恢复泥炭地土壤碳排放差异显著,虽然HR的土壤CO₂-C累积碳排放量显著低于其它水位恢复区,但其土壤CH₄-C累积碳排放量和综合增温潜势显著高于其它水位恢复区（P<0.05）。LR的累积碳排放量显著低于退化泥炭地,且其综合增温潜势最低。因此,建议在泥炭地恢复初期将低水位管理作为短期策略,以更好地恢复泥炭地碳汇功能,减弱其增温潜势。     

Microbial population dynamics in an extreme environment: controlling factors in talus soils at 3750 m in the Colorado Rocky Mountains

Variation of CH₄ emissions over a three-year period was studied in a reed-dominated (Phragmites australis) littoral transect of a boreal lake undergoing shoreline displacement due to postglacial rebound. The seasonal variation in plant-mediated CH₄ emissions during open-water periods was significantly correlated with sediment temperature. The highest plant-mediated emission rates (up to 2050 mg CH₄ m^–2 d^–1) were found in the outermost reed zone, where culms of the previous growing seasons had accumulated and free-floating plants grew on the decomposing culms. In reed zones closer to the shoreline as well as in mixed stands of reed and cattail, the maximum daily rates were usually > 500 mg CH₄ m^–2 d^–1. The total plant-mediated CH₄ emission during the open-water period was significantly correlated with the seasonal maximum of green shoot biomass. This relationship was strongest in the continuously flooded (water depth > 25 cm) outermost zones. In this area, emissions through ebullition were of greatest importance and could exceed plant-mediated emissions. In general, total emissions of the open-water periods varied from ca. 20 to 50 g CH₄ m^–2 a^–1, but in the outermost reed zone, the plant-mediated emissions could be as high as 123 g CH₄ m^–2 a^–1; ebullition emissions from this zone reached > 100 g CH₄ m^–2 a^–1. The proportion of CH₄ released in winter was usually < 10% of annual emissions. Emissions of CH₄ were higher in this flooded transgression shore the than those measured in boreal peatlands, but the role of ancient carbon stores as a substrate supply compared with recent anthropogenic eutrophication is unknown.     

Stomatal SO2 uptake and sulfate accumulation in needles of Norway spruce stands (Picea abies) in Central Europe

Monthly uptake rates and the annual deposition of gaseous SO₂ via the stomata of six Norway spruce canopies (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) in Germany (Königstein im Taunus, Witzenhausen, Grebenau, Frankenberg, Spessart, Fürth im Odenwald) were calculated (i) from statistical response functions of stomatal aperture depending on meteorological data, and (ii) from the synchronously measured SO₂ immission at these stands. The stomatal response functions had been derived on the basis of thorough stomatal water conductance measurements in the field. Calculations of the SO₂ conductance of spruce twigs and SO₂ uptake rates via stomata need continuously measured complete data sets of the (i) light intensity, (ii) air temperature, (iii) air humidity and (iv) SO₂ concentration in spruce forests from all the year. These data were recorded half hourly in different German spruce forests. The apparent needle water vapour pressure difference and transpiration rates were calculated from meteorological data. Additional use of canopy through flow data in dry years allowed the estimation of the mean stomatal conductance for H₂O and SO₂ of whole spruce canopies. The annual SO₂ uptake of a mean unit needle surface in spruce forests was 32% of the SO₂ uptake rate of exposed needles at the top of spruce crowns. There is significant SO₂ uptake all the year. The mean SO₂ dose at all sites and years received through the stomata was (0.25±0.07) mol SO₂ m^-2 (total needle surface) (nPa Pa^-1)^-1 (annual mean of SO₂ immission; 1 nPa (SO₂) Pa^-1 (air) = 1 ppb) day^-1 (vegetation period per year). Comparison of calculated SO₂ uptake rates into needles with measured SO₄ ^2- accumulation rates in needles from the mentioned sites and additionally from Würzburg, Schneeberg (Fichtelgebirge) and from three sites in the eastern Erzgebirge (Höckendorf, Kahleberg, Oberbärenburg) revealed that oxidative SO₂ detoxification (SO₄ ^2- formation) dominates only at sites with high SO₂ immission and short vegetation periods. Under these conditions 70 to 90% of the annual stomatal SO₂ uptake is detoxified via SO₄ ^2- accumulation in needles. Cations are needed for neutralization of accumulating SO₄ ^2- which are inavailable to support growth. Thus, SO₂ induces a dominant and competitive additional nutrient cation demand, cation deficiency symptoms and enhanced needle loss (spruce decline symptoms) mainly at sites, where the ratio R=(SO₂ immission): (length of the vegetation period) is higher than R=0.07 nPa Pa^-1 day^-1. Correlation analysis of the relative needle loss versus the SO₂-dependent SO₄ ^2- formation rate revealed a significant increase of needle loss at the 98% level (Student). At sites with small SO₂ immission and long vegetation periods (R<0.07 nPa Pa^-1 day^-1) reductive SO₂ detoxification via growth (and/or phloem export of SO₄ ^2-) is not kinetically overburdened. Under these conditions only 30% of the annual SO₂ uptake is detoxified via SO₄ ^2- formation and spruce decline is small or absent. On the basis of the critical value R0.07 nPa Pa^-1 day^-1 recommended SO₂ immission limits can be deduced on a mere ecophysiological basis. These deduced values are close to the proposed SO₂ immission limits of the IUFRO, WHO and the UNECE.     

Evidence for Anaerobic CH 4 Oxidation in Freshwater Peatlands

This study involved in vitro assays of peat soil to investigate the occurrence, importance and potential mechanism(s) of anaerobic methane oxidation (AOM) in several northern peatlands ranging from ombrotrophic bog to minerotrophic fen. Although strong evidence suggests that AOM is linked to sulfate reduction in marine sediments, very little is known about AOM in freshwater systems such as northern peatlands, which have large methane (CH ₄ ) production and are a significant source of atmospheric CH ₄ . Our results showed a mean net AOM rate of 17 ± 2.6 nmol kg ^{? 1} s ^{? 1} with a maximum rate of 176 nmol kg ^{? 1} s ^{? 1} for a minerotrophic fen in central New York. AOM was demonstrated with three independent methods to verify our results: (a) additions of methanogenic inhibitors, (b) stable isotope enrichment ( ¹³ C-CH ₄ ), and (c) natural abundance stable isotope analysis ( ¹³ C-CH ₄ ). These experiments confirmed that AOM occurs simultaneously with methanogenesis, consumes a significant portion of gross CH ₄ production, and significantly fractionates C isotopes (～ ?127‰). Experiments using a variety of potential electron acceptors demonstrated that Fe(III) and SO₄ ^{2 ?} are not quantitatively important, while the role of NO ₃ ^? is uncertain and deserves more attention. The exact mechanism(s) for AOM in peat soils remains unclear; however the AOM rates reported in this study are similar to those reported for CH ₄ production and aerobic CH ₄ oxidation in northern peatlands, suggesting that AOM may be an important control on CH ₄ fluxes in northern peatland ecosystems.     

Seasonal variations of methane fluxes from an unvegetated tidal freshwater mudflat (Hammersmith Creek, GA)

Wetlands are estimated to contribute nearly 40 % of global annual methane (CH₄) emissions to the atmosphere. However, because CH₄ fluxes from these systems vary spatially, seasonally, and by wetland type, there is a large uncertainty associated with scaling up the CH₄ flux from these environments. We monitored seasonal patterns of CH₄ cycling from tidal mudflat wetland sediments adjacent to a vegetated freshwater wetland in coastal Georgia between 2008 and 2009. CH₄ emissions were significantly correlated with CH₄ production and sediment saturation state with respect to CH₄ but not with temperature. CH₄ cycling displayed distinct seasonal patterns. Winter months were characterized by low CH₄ production and emissions. During the spring, summer and fall, CH₄ fluxes exceeded CH₄ production in the top 40 cm. Comparison of CH₄ sources and sinks in conjunction with the interpretation of CH₄ concentration profiles using a 1D reactive transport model indicated that CH₄ delivered via lateral tidal pumping likely provided additional CH₄ to the upper sediment column. Seasonally high CH₄ ebullition rates reflected increased CH₄ production and decreased CH₄ solubility. The annual CH₄ flux was estimated to be on the order of 10 mol CH₄ m^?2 y^?1 which is 2–4 times the global average for wetland CH₄ emissions. Thus, even though tidal freshwater mudflats are of limited spatial extent, these environments may serve as globally significant sources of CH₄ to the atmosphere. This study highlights the importance of these dynamic environments to the global CH₄ cycle and their relevance to climate change.     

Emission and oxidation of methane in Equisetum fluviatile stands growing on organic sediment and sand bottoms

Methane emission and rhizospheric CH₄ oxidation were studied in stands of Equisetum fluviatile, a common cryptogam in boreal lakes. The experiment was performed in mesocosms with organic sediment or sand bottoms under natural variation of temperature and light using the light-oxic – dark-anoxic chamber (LO/DA) technique. Net CH₄ emission from the organic sediment during the growing season varied between 3.4 and 19.0 mg m^–2 h^–1, but from sand the net CH₄ emission was only 3–10% of that measured from the organic sediment. In the organic sediment net CH₄ emission was very significantly correlated with sediment temperature (r² = 0.92). In the sand mesocosms the variation of net CH₄ emission was better correlated with the shoot biomass than with sediment temperature variation during the growing season, indicating that methanogens were severely limited by substrate availability and were probably dependent on substrates produced by E. fluviatile. The proportion of the methane oxidized of the potential CH₄ emission in summer did not differ significantly between the bottom types. The net CH₄ emission during the growing season as a proportion of the seasonal maximum of the shoot biomass was significantly higher in the organic sediment mesocosms (6.5%) than in sand (1.7%). The high CH₄ emissions observed from dense well-established E. fluviatile stands in the field appear to be more related to temperature-regulated turnover of detritus in the anaerobic sediment and less to CH₄ oxidation and seasonal variation in plant growth dynamics