Monitoring methane extraction in Lake Kivu
Event details
| Date | 01.10.2013 |
| Hour | 16:15 › 17:15 |
| Speaker | Dr Natacha Tofield-Pasche, Limnology Centre (LIMNC), EPFL |
| Location | |
| Category | Conferences - Seminars |
Abstract:
Lake Kivu is an exceptional lake that contains enormous amount of methane and carbon dioxidedissolved in the deep water. Evenif this gas accumulation could potentially lead to a limnic eruption, methane extraction could both reduce this risk and produce energy for the two riparian countries. In Rwanda a pilot plant has extracted methanesince October 2008, generating 1.4 MW of electricity. Throughout this period, the Lake Kivu Monitoring Program has assessed the potential impacts of this extraction and established a baseline on Lake Kivu for future comparison. In this presentation, I will give background information on the formation of methane in Lake Kivu and how recent environmental changes might have affected the lake. I will also explain the key findings from the monitoring of methane extraction.
Dr. Natacha Tofield-Pasche is a limnologist with strong interests in biogeochemical processes in lakes. Environmental Engineer from ENAC/EPFL, she accomplished her PhD on nutrient cycling and methane production in Lake Kivu in 2009. During the last four years, she worked for the Government of Rwanda to develop the Lake Kivu Monitoring Program. Since 1st September 2013, she is the coordinator of the Center of Limnology at EPFL.
References :
Alfred Wüest, Lukas Jarc, Helmut Bürgmann, Natacha Pasche and Martin Schmid (2012). Methane formation and future extraction in Lake Kivu, p 165 - 180. Chapter 10 in J.-P. Descy et al. (eds.), Lake Kivu: Limnology and biogeochemistry of a tropical great lake, Aquatic Ecology Series 5, DOI 10.1007/978-94-007-4243-7_10, © Springer Science+Business Media B.V. 2012.
Natacha Pasche, Martin Schmid, John Kessler, Mary Pack, Bill Reeburgh, Carsten Schubert, Francisco Vazquez and Helmut Bürgmann (2011): Methane sources and sinks in Lake Kivu. Journal of Geophysical Research 116, G03006.N
Natacha Pasche, Georges Alunga, Keely Mills, Fabrice Muvundja, David B. Ryves, Michael Schurter, Bernhard Wehrli and Martin Schmid (2010): Abrupt onset of carbonate deposition in Lake Kivu during the 1960s: response to recent environmental changes. Journal of Paleolimnology 44, 931-946.
Lake Kivu is an exceptional lake that contains enormous amount of methane and carbon dioxidedissolved in the deep water. Evenif this gas accumulation could potentially lead to a limnic eruption, methane extraction could both reduce this risk and produce energy for the two riparian countries. In Rwanda a pilot plant has extracted methanesince October 2008, generating 1.4 MW of electricity. Throughout this period, the Lake Kivu Monitoring Program has assessed the potential impacts of this extraction and established a baseline on Lake Kivu for future comparison. In this presentation, I will give background information on the formation of methane in Lake Kivu and how recent environmental changes might have affected the lake. I will also explain the key findings from the monitoring of methane extraction.
Dr. Natacha Tofield-Pasche is a limnologist with strong interests in biogeochemical processes in lakes. Environmental Engineer from ENAC/EPFL, she accomplished her PhD on nutrient cycling and methane production in Lake Kivu in 2009. During the last four years, she worked for the Government of Rwanda to develop the Lake Kivu Monitoring Program. Since 1st September 2013, she is the coordinator of the Center of Limnology at EPFL.
References :
Alfred Wüest, Lukas Jarc, Helmut Bürgmann, Natacha Pasche and Martin Schmid (2012). Methane formation and future extraction in Lake Kivu, p 165 - 180. Chapter 10 in J.-P. Descy et al. (eds.), Lake Kivu: Limnology and biogeochemistry of a tropical great lake, Aquatic Ecology Series 5, DOI 10.1007/978-94-007-4243-7_10, © Springer Science+Business Media B.V. 2012.
Natacha Pasche, Martin Schmid, John Kessler, Mary Pack, Bill Reeburgh, Carsten Schubert, Francisco Vazquez and Helmut Bürgmann (2011): Methane sources and sinks in Lake Kivu. Journal of Geophysical Research 116, G03006.N
Natacha Pasche, Georges Alunga, Keely Mills, Fabrice Muvundja, David B. Ryves, Michael Schurter, Bernhard Wehrli and Martin Schmid (2010): Abrupt onset of carbonate deposition in Lake Kivu during the 1960s: response to recent environmental changes. Journal of Paleolimnology 44, 931-946.
Practical information
- General public
- Free
- This event is internal
Organizer
- EESS - IIE
Contact
- Prof. Alfred Johny Wüst, Margaretha Kamprad Chair (APHYS)