Research Article

The hydrology of northern peatlands as affected by biogenic gas: current developments and research needs

  1. Donald O. Rosenberry1,*,
  2. Paul H. Glaser2,
  3. Donald I. Siegel3

Article first published online: 18 OCT 2006

DOI: 10.1002/hyp.6377

Issue

Hydrological Processes

Hydrological Processes

Special Issue: Canadian Geophysical Union — Hydrology Section

Volume 20, Issue 17, pages 3601–3610, 15 November 2006

Additional Information

How to Cite

Rosenberry, D. O., Glaser, P. H. and Siegel, D. I. (2006), The hydrology of northern peatlands as affected by biogenic gas: current developments and research needs. Hydrol. Process., 20: 3601–3610. doi: 10.1002/hyp.6377

Author Information

  1. 1

    U.S. Geological Survey, MS 413, Bldg. 53, DFC, Lakewood, Colorado 80225, USA

  2. 2

    Department of Geology and Geophysics, University of Minnesota, 310 Pillsbury Drive SE, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455-0219, USA

  3. 3

    Department of Earth Sciences, Syracuse University, 204 Heroy Geology Laboratory, Syracuse, New York 13244-1070, USA

*U.S. Geological Survey, MS 413, Bldg. 53, DFC, Lakewood, Colorado 80225, USA.

Publication History

  1. Issue published online: 18 OCT 2006
  2. Article first published online: 18 OCT 2006
  3. Manuscript Accepted: 3 OCT 2005
  4. Manuscript Received: 1 AUG 2005

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Keywords:

  • peatlands;
  • methane;
  • carbon dioxide;
  • ebullition;
  • hydrology

Abstract

Recent research indicates that accumulation and release of biogenic gas from northern peatlands may substantially affect future climate. Sudden release of free-phase gas bubbles into the atmosphere may preclude the conversion of methane to carbon dioxide in the uppermost oxic layer of the peat, resulting in greater contribution of methane to the atmosphere than is currently estimated. The hydrology of these peatlands also affects and is affected by this process, especially when gas is released suddenly and episodically. Indirect hydrological evidence indicates that ebullitive gas releases are relatively frequent in some peatlands and time-averaged rates may be significantly greater than diffusive releases. Estimates of free-phase gas contained in peat have ranged from 0 to nearly 20% of the peat volume. Abrupt changes in the volume of gas may alter hydraulic gradients and movement of water and solutes in peat, which in turn could alter composition and fluxes of the gas. Peat surfaces also move vertically and horizontally in response to accumulation and release of free-phase gas. Future research should address the distribution, temporal variability, and relative significance of ebullition in peatlands and the consequent hydrological responses to these gas-emission events. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

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