Atmospheric Science

Atmospheric methane removal by boreal plants

  1. Elin Sundqvist1,*,
  2. Patrick Crill2,
  3. Meelis Mölder1,
  4. Patrik Vestin1,
  5. Anders Lindroth1

Article first published online: 6 NOV 2012

DOI: 10.1029/2012GL053592

Issue

Geophysical Research Letters

Geophysical Research Letters

Additional Information

How to Cite

Sundqvist, E., P. Crill, M. Mölder, P. Vestin, and A. Lindroth (2012), Atmospheric methane removal by boreal plants, Geophys. Res. Lett., 39, L21806, doi:10.1029/2012GL053592.

Author Information

  1. 1

    Department of Physical Geography and Ecosystem Science, Lund University, Lund, Sweden

  2. 2

    Department of Geological Sciences, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden

*Corresponding author: E. Sundqvist, Department of Physical Geography and Ecosystem Science, Sölvegatan 12, SE-223 62 Lund, Sweden. (elin.sundqvist@nateko.lu.se)

Publication History

  1. Issue published online: 6 NOV 2012
  2. Article first published online: 6 NOV 2012
  3. Manuscript Accepted: 4 OCT 2012
  4. Manuscript Revised: 3 OCT 2012
  5. Manuscript Received: 16 AUG 2012

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Keywords:

  • in situ measurements;
  • pine;
  • radiation;
  • spruce;
  • temperature

[1] Several studies have proposed aerobic methane (CH4) emissions by plants. If confirmed, these findings would further increase the imbalance in the global CH4 budget which today underestimates CH4sinks. Oxidation by OH-radicals in the troposphere is the major identified sink followed by smaller contribution from stratospheric loss and oxidation by methano- and methylotrophic bacteria in soils. This study directly investigated CH4 exchange by plants in their natural environment. At a forest site in central Sweden, in situ branch chamber measurements were used to study plant ambient CH4 exchange by spruce (Picea abies), birch (Betula pubescens), rowan (Sorbus aucuparia) and pine (Pinus sylvestris). The results show a net uptake of CH4 by all the studied plants, which might be of importance for the methane budget.

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