articleEnvironmental Engineering ScienceJan 1, 2005Closed access

Biogeochemistry of Methane Exchange between Natural Wetlands and the Atmosphere

SCStephen C. Whalen

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

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Abstract

This review examines the interactions among physical, chemical, and biological factors responsible for methane (CH4) emission from natural wetlands. Methane is a chemically and radiatively important atmospheric trace gas. Emission from wetlands is a significant component of the atmospheric CH4 budget, releasing 145 Tg CH4 annually to the atmosphere, or about 25% of total emissions from all anthropogenic and natural sources. Wetlands are characterized by a subsurface, anaerobic zone of CH4 production by methanogenic bacteria and an surficial, aerobic zone of CH4 oxidation by methanotrophic bacteria. Wetlands transfer CH4 to the atmosphere by diffusion, ebullition, and by transport through arenchymous vascular…

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Topics & keywords

Topics
Keywords
  • Wetland
  • Methane
  • Environmental science
  • Biogeochemistry
  • Methanogenesis
  • Environmental chemistry
  • Atmosphere (unit)
  • Anaerobic oxidation of methane
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