Facteurs spatio-temporels influençant les gaz à effet de serre en rivière tempérée
Carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), and nitrous dioxide (N2O) are three of the main greenhouse gases (GHGs) that influence climate change (IPCC, 2014). Variability in the riverine concentrations of these three GHGs is often related to land use, within river features, and hydrologic regimes. However, few studies have looked at the interacting influence of these factors on the coupled dynamics of these gases across seasons. Here, we measured CO2, CH4, and N2O concentrations and fluxes along a 146.6 km stretch of the main stem of a north temperate river, with a change in geology resulting in a sharp shift in land use once per season for three consecutive years. Strong seasonal differences in gas concentrations were observed: CO2 and N2O were both higher overall during winter but were occasionally undersaturated, whereas summer had the highest concentrations of CH4. Sites of major confluence had the highest emissions, acting as vents. Concentrations were influenced by land use, with the highest concentrations of all gases found in the lower reaches where urban and agricultural activity are most intensive. However, spatial variability was minimized during periods of high flow when the river acted more like a pipe. This suggests that how major gases are coupled is largely a function of differential processes across seasons. Although land use influenced the spatial variability in concentrations along the river, seasonal changes in temperature influenced the relative importance of the gases, and hydrology mediated their overall concentrations and emissions.
hydrologie carbon dioxide methane nitrous oxide rivers greenhouse gases biogeochemistry seasons hydrology