Articles | Volume 21, issue 18
https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-21-4099-2024
https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-21-4099-2024
Research article
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20 Sep 2024
Research article | Highlight paper |  | 20 Sep 2024

CO2 emissions of drained coastal peatlands in the Netherlands and potential emission reduction by water infiltration systems

Ralf C. H. Aben, Daniël van de Craats, Jim Boonman, Stijn H. Peeters, Bart Vriend, Coline C. F. Boonman, Ype van der Velde, Gilles Erkens, and Merit van den Berg

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This preprint is open for discussion and under review for Biogeosciences (BG).
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Cited articles

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Editorial statement
Drained peatlands are a substantial global CO2 source. Using an unprecedented monitoring network, this paper shows that using subsurface water infiltration systems effectively limits CO2 emissions, which can be predicted by carbon exposure. This is a nice example of how adapted management can substantially reduce CO2 emissions from drained peatlands.
Short summary

Drained peatlands cause high CO2 emissions. We assessed the effectiveness of subsurface water infiltration systems (WISs) in reducing CO2 emissions related to increases in water table depth (WTD) on 12 sites for up to 4 years. Results show WISs markedly reduced emissions by 2.1 t CO2-C ha-1 yr-1. The relationship between the amount of carbon above the WTD and CO2 emission was stronger than the relationship between WTD and emission. Long-term monitoring is crucial for accurate emission estimates.

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