Studies of Methane Production and Emission in Relation to the
Microrelief of a Polygonal Tundra in Northern Siberia
V.A. Samarkin 1 , A. Gundelwein 2 and E.-M. Pfeiffer 2
(I) Institute or Soil Science and Photosynthesis, Russian Academy of Sciences, Push chino, Russia
(2) Institut fUr Bodenkunde, Universitdt Hamburg, Allendeplatz 2, D 20146 Hamburg, German\'
Received 2 March 1997 and accepted in revised form 3 March 1998
Abstract - Methane production and emission in a polygonal tundra on Taimyr Peninsula in
North Siberia (75°N, 98°E) were investigated during summer 1996. The in situ methane
emission was measured several times per day between July and September at a typical
polygonal tundra site. Additionally, measurements were carried out at different plots along a
transsect through the investigated valley to determine the variability of methane emissions
of the whole polygon area. CH 4 emission rates showed high response on microrelief,
which influences water table and soil temperatures. No diurnal variations in methane
emissions were found. The emission rates ranged from 0-160 mg CH 4 *d- 1 *m- 2 Based on
detailed mapping of soils and surface structures (patterned grounds) a projection on total
methane emission from the investigated polygonal tundra is possible. The mean daily
emission rate between July and September is about 50 mg CH 4 *d- h m- 2 , which is about
4% of total gaseous carbon loss from soil to atmosphere. Isotope investigations proof the
reduction of C0 2 /H 2 to be the major pathway of methane production and fermentation
being negligible. At the end of the thawing season methane emissions and methane content
of the pore water decrease. Methane oxidation is very effective even when the water table is
only a few centimeters below the surface.
Introduction
Tundra wetlands are supposed to be an important source for the greenhouse gas methane,
About 120 Tg methane per year are emitted from natural wetlands (IPCC 1994). Northern
Siberian wetlands, which cover an area of more than 211 * 10 6 ha including 2.9* 106 ha
peatlands (Botch et aI., 1995), are assessed as one major source of methane from wetlands
(Harris et aI., 1993).
Numerous studies concerning methane emissions from northern high latitude wetlands were
carried out in recent years, most of them in Canada, Alaska and Scandinavia (Bartlett et aI.,
1992; Harriss et aI., 1993; Morrissey and Livingstone, 1992; Sebacher et aI., 1986; Svensson
and Rosswall, 1984; Whalen et aI., 1991; Whalen and Reeburgh, 1988, 1990 and 1992). Only
a few measurements are done recently in Siberian tundra by Inoue et al. (1995), Nakayama
(1995a and b), Rivkina et al. (1993) and Samarkin et al. (1994). This study presents new
methane flux measurements and investigations concerning production from a wet polygonal
tundra in North Siberia,
Investigation area
The investigation area is located in the southern Byrranga Mountains on Taimyr Peninsula,
Northern Siberia (75°N, 98°E). The methane emission measurements were carried out in the
valley of Krasnaya River, north of Lake Levinson Lessing.
This river valley is dominated by wet, gleyic soils out of loamy sands, rich in organic matter
(Histic Pergelic Cryaquepts). The maximum thickness of active layer is 45-50 cm. The major
In: Kassens, H., H.A. Bauch, I. Dmitrenko, H. Eicken, H.-W. Hubberten, M. Melles, J. Thiede and L. Timokhov (eds.)
Land-Ocean Systems in the Siberian Arctic: Dynamics and History. Springer-Verlag, Berlin, 1999. 329-342.
Microrelief of a Polygonal Tundra in Northern Siberia
V.A. Samarkin 1 , A. Gundelwein 2 and E.-M. Pfeiffer 2
(I) Institute or Soil Science and Photosynthesis, Russian Academy of Sciences, Push chino, Russia
(2) Institut fUr Bodenkunde, Universitdt Hamburg, Allendeplatz 2, D 20146 Hamburg, German\'
Received 2 March 1997 and accepted in revised form 3 March 1998
Abstract - Methane production and emission in a polygonal tundra on Taimyr Peninsula in
North Siberia (75°N, 98°E) were investigated during summer 1996. The in situ methane
emission was measured several times per day between July and September at a typical
polygonal tundra site. Additionally, measurements were carried out at different plots along a
transsect through the investigated valley to determine the variability of methane emissions
of the whole polygon area. CH 4 emission rates showed high response on microrelief,
which influences water table and soil temperatures. No diurnal variations in methane
emissions were found. The emission rates ranged from 0-160 mg CH 4 *d- 1 *m- 2 Based on
detailed mapping of soils and surface structures (patterned grounds) a projection on total
methane emission from the investigated polygonal tundra is possible. The mean daily
emission rate between July and September is about 50 mg CH 4 *d- h m- 2 , which is about
4% of total gaseous carbon loss from soil to atmosphere. Isotope investigations proof the
reduction of C0 2 /H 2 to be the major pathway of methane production and fermentation
being negligible. At the end of the thawing season methane emissions and methane content
of the pore water decrease. Methane oxidation is very effective even when the water table is
only a few centimeters below the surface.
Introduction
Tundra wetlands are supposed to be an important source for the greenhouse gas methane,
About 120 Tg methane per year are emitted from natural wetlands (IPCC 1994). Northern
Siberian wetlands, which cover an area of more than 211 * 10 6 ha including 2.9* 106 ha
peatlands (Botch et aI., 1995), are assessed as one major source of methane from wetlands
(Harris et aI., 1993).
Numerous studies concerning methane emissions from northern high latitude wetlands were
carried out in recent years, most of them in Canada, Alaska and Scandinavia (Bartlett et aI.,
1992; Harriss et aI., 1993; Morrissey and Livingstone, 1992; Sebacher et aI., 1986; Svensson
and Rosswall, 1984; Whalen et aI., 1991; Whalen and Reeburgh, 1988, 1990 and 1992). Only
a few measurements are done recently in Siberian tundra by Inoue et al. (1995), Nakayama
(1995a and b), Rivkina et al. (1993) and Samarkin et al. (1994). This study presents new
methane flux measurements and investigations concerning production from a wet polygonal
tundra in North Siberia,
Investigation area
The investigation area is located in the southern Byrranga Mountains on Taimyr Peninsula,
Northern Siberia (75°N, 98°E). The methane emission measurements were carried out in the
valley of Krasnaya River, north of Lake Levinson Lessing.
This river valley is dominated by wet, gleyic soils out of loamy sands, rich in organic matter
(Histic Pergelic Cryaquepts). The maximum thickness of active layer is 45-50 cm. The major
In: Kassens, H., H.A. Bauch, I. Dmitrenko, H. Eicken, H.-W. Hubberten, M. Melles, J. Thiede and L. Timokhov (eds.)
Land-Ocean Systems in the Siberian Arctic: Dynamics and History. Springer-Verlag, Berlin, 1999. 329-342.