Methane Dynamics of Undisturbed Fens in Oil Sands Region of Alberta, Canada

Authors:
Sharif Mahmood, Maria Strack

Book:
Proceedings of the 14th International Peat Congress

Venue:
Stockholm

Keywords:
fen, methane-dynamics, oil-sands, reclamation

Documentfile:
Mahmood, Strack 2012: Methane Dynamics of Undisturbed Fens in Oil Sands Region of Alberta, Canada

Summary:

Theme X. Peatland carbon budgets and greenhouse gas (GHG) fluxes

SUMMARY

Peatlands account for 40-70% of planned oil sands development areas and reclamation strategies will be required for these ecosystems. In order to evaluate reclamation success, baseline data from undisturbed peatlands of the region are required. We used the closed chamber technique to measure the surface CH4 flux and pore water samplers to collect pore water for determination of sub-surface CH4 concentration. Results indicate that poor fen had the highest pore water CH4 concentration and CH4 flux, followed by rich fen and saline fen. The CH4 flux of the saline fen was almost zero likely due to high pore water sulphate concentration. However, the sub-surface CH4 analysis found that a small amount of CH4 is produced. As reported in literature, we found significant correlation between water table position and CH4 flux. Results from this study suggest that CH4 flux and sub-surface CH4 concentration at reclaimed peatlands will be mostly controlled by vegetation, water table and soil chemistry.