Methane in aquatic systems - Formation, mixing, oxidation, and emission
Event details
| Date | 18.03.2014 |
| Hour | 16:15 › 17:15 |
| Speaker | Dr Carsten Schubert, Surface Waters Research and Management, EAWAG, Duebendorf, CH |
| Location | |
| Category | Conferences - Seminars |
Abstract:
Methane is about 22 times stronger than CO2 as a greenhouse gas and has been accumulated strongly in the atmosphere during the last decades. However, emissions from aquatic systems in Switzerland are not well constrained. We have investigated several lakes and reservoirs in Switzerland and I will show some results of this research. The main topic is how to constrain methane oxidation in freshwater systems. From the ocean we know that most of the methane formed in the sea floor is anaerobically oxidized via sulfate already in the sediments and/or later in the water column. In lakes sulfate concentrations are low and methane could be oxidized either aerobically with oxygen or anaerobically via other electron acceptors (nitrate, iron, manganese). I will show data from freshwater systems in Switzerland to demonstrate how methane is transformed into carbon dioxide using mainly isotopic, mass spectrometer, and incubation methods.
Short biography:
Carsten Schubert is a biogeochemist with a strong expertise in stable isotope geochemistry, organic geochemistry and biogeochemistry. He traces biogeochemical processes and interactions in marine and lacustrine sediments and water bodies. His research has led to over 75 publications. Through the analysis of specific biomarkers (both concentration and isotopic composition) in water column and sediments it was possible to study phytoplankton community structures, demonstrate that CH4 is actively consumed under anaerobic conditions, showthe first conclusive evidence for anammox in a lacustrine system (Lake Tanganyika) or reconstructocean currents off Newfoundland using 15N of amino acids in deep sea corals. Most recently, methane emissions were determined from lakes, reservoirs and rivers; processes related to methane oxidation in the water column of Lake Kivu, several Swiss lakes and in the Arctic Tundra was investigated, finally we work on the degradation/preservation of amino acids and amino sugars in Swiss lakes.
Carsten Schubert is head of the department “Surface Waters-Research and Management” at the Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology (Eawag).
Methane is about 22 times stronger than CO2 as a greenhouse gas and has been accumulated strongly in the atmosphere during the last decades. However, emissions from aquatic systems in Switzerland are not well constrained. We have investigated several lakes and reservoirs in Switzerland and I will show some results of this research. The main topic is how to constrain methane oxidation in freshwater systems. From the ocean we know that most of the methane formed in the sea floor is anaerobically oxidized via sulfate already in the sediments and/or later in the water column. In lakes sulfate concentrations are low and methane could be oxidized either aerobically with oxygen or anaerobically via other electron acceptors (nitrate, iron, manganese). I will show data from freshwater systems in Switzerland to demonstrate how methane is transformed into carbon dioxide using mainly isotopic, mass spectrometer, and incubation methods.
Short biography:
Carsten Schubert is a biogeochemist with a strong expertise in stable isotope geochemistry, organic geochemistry and biogeochemistry. He traces biogeochemical processes and interactions in marine and lacustrine sediments and water bodies. His research has led to over 75 publications. Through the analysis of specific biomarkers (both concentration and isotopic composition) in water column and sediments it was possible to study phytoplankton community structures, demonstrate that CH4 is actively consumed under anaerobic conditions, showthe first conclusive evidence for anammox in a lacustrine system (Lake Tanganyika) or reconstructocean currents off Newfoundland using 15N of amino acids in deep sea corals. Most recently, methane emissions were determined from lakes, reservoirs and rivers; processes related to methane oxidation in the water column of Lake Kivu, several Swiss lakes and in the Arctic Tundra was investigated, finally we work on the degradation/preservation of amino acids and amino sugars in Swiss lakes.
Carsten Schubert is head of the department “Surface Waters-Research and Management” at the Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology (Eawag).
Practical information
- General public
- Free
- This event is internal
Organizer
- EESS - IIE
Contact
- Prof. Alfred Johny Wüest, APHYS & Margarethy Kamprad Chair