Methane Fluxes Into Atmosphere from Fennoskandian Lakes

Resumo

The experimental data on methane fluxes into the atmosphere from Fennoscandian lakes is analyzed. The contribution made by the lake network of this northern region to the atmospheric methane budget is estimated as 320 ± 23 KtCH₄ per year. From 16 to 37% of the annual methane emission from Fennoscandian lakes is carried out by methane produced during the ice cover period. The methane fluxe rate from studied lakes is estimated as 2.6 ± 0.2 gCH₄m^–2 yr^–1. Among lakes of the region, small lakes (area <0.1 km²) are the most intensive sources of atmospheric methane per unit area.