Methane formation and release in a small Wisconsin lake

Abstract

Tharae rate of methane released from the sediment‐water interface and from the surface of the water of Lake Wingra, Madison, Wisconsin, was measured during the summer months for 2 years. The amount of methane escaping the lake is estimated to be an important factor in the carbon budget of the lake. Most rapid methanogenesis was in shallow water (less than 1 m deep) and in the uppermost 5 cm of sediment. The numbers of methanogenic bacteria were estimated by a most probable number technique to vary from approximately 10² to 3 × 10⁴ methanogens per gram of dry weight sediment during winter and summer, respectively.