Preprints
https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-2019-98
https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-2019-98
01 Apr 2019
 | 01 Apr 2019
Status: this discussion paper is a preprint. It has been under review for the journal Biogeosciences (BG). The manuscript was not accepted for further review after discussion.

Methane oxidation potential of the arctic wetland soils of a taiga-tundra ecotone in northeastern Siberia

Jun Murase, Atsuko Sugimoto, Ryo Shingubara, Tomoki Morozumi, Shinya Takano, and Trofim C. Maximov

Abstract. Arctic wetlands are significant sources of atmospheric methane and the observed accelerated climate changes in the arctic could cause the change in methane dynamics, where methane oxidation would be the key process to control methane emission from wetlands. In this study we determined the potential methane oxidation rate of the wetland soils of a taiga-tundra transition zone in northeastern Siberia. Peat soil samples were collected in summer from depressions covered with tussocks of sedges and Sphagnum spp. and from mounds vegetated with moss and larch trees. A bottle incubation experiment demonstrated that the soil samples collected from depressions in the moss- and sedge-dominated zones exhibited active methane oxidation with no time lag. The potential methane oxidation rates at 15 °C ranged from 94 to 496 nmol h−1 g−1 dw. Methane oxidation was observed over the depths studied (0–40 cm) including the water-saturated anoxic layers. The maximum methane oxidation rate was recorded in the layer above the water-saturated layer: the surface (0–2 cm) layer in the sedge-dominated zone and in the middle (4–6 cm) layer in the moss-dominated zone. The methane oxidation rate was temperature-dependent, and the threshold temperature of methane oxidation was estimated to be −4 to −11 °C, which suggested methane oxidation at subzero temperatures. Soil samples collected from the frozen layer of Sphagnum peat also showed immediate methane consumption when incubated at 15 °C. The present results suggest that the methane oxidizing bacteria in the wetland soils keep their potential activities even under anoxic and frozen conditions and immediately utilize methane when the conditions become favorable. On the other hand, the inhibitor of methane oxidation did not affect the methane flux from the sedge and moss zones in situ, which indicated the minor role of plant-associated methane oxidation.

Jun Murase, Atsuko Sugimoto, Ryo Shingubara, Tomoki Morozumi, Shinya Takano, and Trofim C. Maximov
 
Status: closed
Status: closed
AC: Author comment | RC: Referee comment | SC: Short comment | EC: Editor comment
Printer-friendly Version - Printer-friendly version Supplement - Supplement
 
Status: closed
Status: closed
AC: Author comment | RC: Referee comment | SC: Short comment | EC: Editor comment
Printer-friendly Version - Printer-friendly version Supplement - Supplement
Jun Murase, Atsuko Sugimoto, Ryo Shingubara, Tomoki Morozumi, Shinya Takano, and Trofim C. Maximov
Jun Murase, Atsuko Sugimoto, Ryo Shingubara, Tomoki Morozumi, Shinya Takano, and Trofim C. Maximov

Viewed

Total article views: 1,006 (including HTML, PDF, and XML)
HTML PDF XML Total BibTeX EndNote
689 279 38 1,006 34 37
  • HTML: 689
  • PDF: 279
  • XML: 38
  • Total: 1,006
  • BibTeX: 34
  • EndNote: 37
Views and downloads (calculated since 01 Apr 2019)
Cumulative views and downloads (calculated since 01 Apr 2019)

Viewed (geographical distribution)

Total article views: 837 (including HTML, PDF, and XML) Thereof 835 with geography defined and 2 with unknown origin.
Country # Views %
  • 1
1
 
 
 
 
Latest update: 18 Mar 2024
Download
Short summary
We determined the potential methane oxidation rate of the wetland soils in northeastern Siberia in situ or immediately after sampling to avoid the possible influence of sample storage. The soils had a high methane oxidation potential even under anoxic and frozen conditions, while the plant-associated methane oxidation is negligible. The results show the high tolerance and resilience of methane oxidation to the unfavorable conditions, contributing to understanding the methane cycle in the Arctic.
Altmetrics