Methane emissions dynamics from a constructed fen and reference sites in the Athabasca Oil Sands Region, Alberta

Murray, Kimberley R.; Barlow, Natasha L.; Strack, Maria

doi:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2017.01.076

Cited by 25 publications

(17 citation statements)

References 57 publications

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“…Instead, the fluxes in this study are similar to those reported from the other constructed wetland in the AOSR (median CH 4 emissions were below 0.08 mg m −2 h −1 ) and an undisturbed saline fen (Murray et al, 2017). Murray et al (2017) accredited the low CH 4 emissions and low CH 4 pore water concentrations at the constructed wetland to the supply rate of mobile S. Methanogens, CH 4 -producing microorganisms, are obligate anaerobes, and an abundance of alternative electron acceptors such as SO 2− 4 can support microbial communities that can outcompete methanogens. This effect has been described using the conceptual framework of the REDOX "ladder" (for a detailed definition see Bethke et al, 2011).…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 86%

Low methane emissions from a boreal wetland constructed on oil sand mine tailings

2020

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Abstract. A 58 ha mixed upland and lowland boreal plains watershed called the Sandhill Fen Watershed was constructed between 2008 and 2012. In the years following wetting in 2013, methane emissions were measured using manual chambers. The presence of vegetation with aerenchymous tissues and saturated soils were important factors influencing the spatial variability of methane emissions across the constructed watershed. Nevertheless, median methane emissions were equal to or less than 0.51 mg CH4 m−2 h−1 even from the saturated organic soils in the lowlands. Although overall methane emissions remained low, observations of methane ebullition increased over the 3 study years. Ebullition events occurred in 10 % of measurements in 2013, increasing to 21 % and 27 % of measurements in 2014 and 2015, respectively, at the plots with saturated soils. Increasing metal ion availability and decreasing sulfur availability was measured using buried ion exchange resins at both seasonal and annual timescales potentially as a result of microbial reduction of these ions. Using principle component analysis, methane fluxes had a significant positive correlation to the leading principle component which was associated with increasing ammonium, iron, and manganese and decreasing sulfur availability (r=0.31, p<0.001). These results suggest that an abundance of alternative inorganic electron acceptors may be limiting methanogenesis at this time.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 86%

Low methane emissions from a boreal wetland constructed on oil sand mine tailings

2020

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“…Instead, the fluxes in this study are similar to those reported from the other constructed wetland in the AOSR (median CH4 emissions were below 0.08 mg m -2 h -1 ) and an undisturbed saline fen (Murray et al, 2017). 310 Murray et al (2017) accredited the small CH4 emissions and low CH4 pore water concentrations at the constructed wetland to the supply rate of mobile S. Methanogens, CH4-producing microorganisms, are obligate anaerobes and an abundance of alternative electron acceptors such as SO4 2can support microbial communities that can outcompete methanogens. This effect has been described using the conceptual framework of the REDOX 'ladder' (for a detailed definition see Bethke et al, 2011).…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 85%

Low methane emissions from a boreal wetland constructed on oil sand mine tailings

Clark¹,

Humphreys²,

Carey³

2019

Preprint

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Abstract. A 58 hectare mixed upland and lowland boreal plains watershed called the Sandhill Fen Watershed was constructed between 2008 and 2012. In the years following wetting in 2013, methane emissions were measured using manual, static, non-steady state chambers. The presence of vegetation with aerenchymous tissues and saturated soils were important factors influencing the spatial variability of methane emissions across the constructed watershed. Nevertheless, median methane emissions were equal to or less than 0.51&#8201;mg&#8201;CH4&#8201;m&#8722;2&#8201;h&#8722;1 even from the saturated organic soils in the lowlands. Although overall methane emissions remained low, observations of methane ebullition increased over the three study years. As a ratio to the total number of measurements, the number of ebullition events increased from 10&#8201;% in 2013 to 21&#8201;% and 27&#8201;% in 2014 and 2015, respectively at the plots with saturated soils. Increasing metal ion availability and decreasing sulphur availability was measured using buried ion exchange resins at both seasonal and annual timescales potentially as a result of microbial reduction of these ions. Methane fluxes significantly correlated with the leading Principal Component of ammonium, iron, manganese and sulphur availability (r&#8201;=&#8201;0.31, p&#8201;<&#8201;0.001). These results suggest that an abundance of alternative electron acceptors may be limiting methanogenesis at this time.

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“…Iron and manganese mobility are increased under anaerobic conditions and typically higher in wetland than upland systems (Western Ag Innovations, ). Elevated iron levels on PRS probes was also associated with higher methane emissions in Albertan (Murray, Barlow, & Strack, ) and Finnish wetlands (Dinsmore et al, ), suggesting that SHF and the MRF may be strong methane sources. Based on measurements obtained with PRS probes buried for 3 days, Slama () found higher manganese in natural systems compared with constructed wetlands.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Nutrient supply patterns across the Sandhill Fen reclamation watershed and regional reference fens in Alberta, Canada: An ion exchange membrane study

Hartsock

Bremer²,

Vitt

2020

Ecohydrology

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Using Plant Root Simulator (PRS®) probes, we evaluate nutrient supply rates at the Sandhill Fen reclamation watershed across a gradient of increasing water table position and compare observations with three reference fens (a poor, moderate‐rich, and saline fen). Our objectives were threefold: (a) determine the behavior of PRS probes across multiple peatland classes, (b) determine which type of peatland Sandhill Fen is most analogous to in terms of nutrient supply patterns and site chemistry, and (c) attempt to provide a repeatable approach for assessing nutrient supply in peatlands. In terms of porewater chemistry, conditions at Sandhill Fen were quite unique, yet, most comparable to the saline fen. Consistent with porewater analysis, PRS probes had low nitrate supply at all sites, high calcium and magnesium supply at all sites (except the poor fen), and much higher sulfur supply at Sandhill Fen. Site differences in PRS probe measurements were smaller for 20‐ than 2‐day burial periods due to displacement of less strongly held elements (e.g., potassium) on ion exchange membranes. Because long‐term incubations may underrepresent supply rates for weakly held ions due to displacement by divalent ions, we recommend that reclamation assessments over a wide range of fen types should use a relatively short burial period of 1 to 3 days. With few exceptions (sulfate and iron), nutrient supply patterns at Sandhill Fen were quite comparable to the reference fens. For future wetland reclamation performance assessments in the AOSR, PRS probes could serve an important role for evaluating belowground functional components.

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Methane emissions dynamics from a constructed fen and reference sites in the Athabasca Oil Sands Region, Alberta

Cited by 25 publications

References 57 publications

Low methane emissions from a boreal wetland constructed on oil sand mine tailings

Low methane emissions from a boreal wetland constructed on oil sand mine tailings

Low methane emissions from a boreal wetland constructed on oil sand mine tailings

Nutrient supply patterns across the Sandhill Fen reclamation watershed and regional reference fens in Alberta, Canada: An ion exchange membrane study

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