Methane emissions from peat bogs in the vicinity of the Mace Head Atmospheric Research Station over a 12-year period

Publication Type:

Journal Article

Authors:

R. G. Derwent; P. G. Simmonds; A. J. Manning; S. J. O’Doherty; T. G. Spain

Source:

Atmospheric Environment, Volume 43, Issue 14, p.2328 - 2335 (2009)

ISBN:

1352-2310

URL:

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1352231009000582

Keywords:

Dry deposition, Methane emissions, ozone, Peat bogs

Abstract:

Methane emissions from the peat bogs in Connemara, Ireland have been inferred from the trace gas observations at the Mace Head Atmospheric Research Station using the nocturnal box method. A total of 237 local events, during April to September, over a 12-year period have been studied. Simultaneous emissions of methane, carbon dioxide and chloroform are routinely observed under nocturnal inversions with low wind speeds from the peat bogs proximal to Mace Head. Night-time deposition of ozone and hydrogen occurs concurrently with these emissions. Using the temporally correlated methane and ozone data we estimate methane emissions from each event. Simultaneous methane and chloroform emissions, together with ozone and hydrogen deposition have been characterised, leading to the estimation of methane emission rates for each event. The mean methane emission flux was found to be 400 ± 90 ng m−2 s−1. A strong seasonal cycle was found in the methane emission fluxes but there was little evidence of a long-term trend in the emissions from the peat bogs in the vicinity of the Mace Head station.