EPISODIC FLUXES OF METHANE FROM SUB-ARCTIC FENS

Measurements of methane flux from northern peatlands to the atmosphere are complicated by high spatial and temporal variability. We quantified the variability of methane flux from two subarctic fens near Schefferville, northern Quebec, using a static chamber technique. Within the seasonal pattern of increasing fluxes associated with the warming of the peat profile, episodic fluxes of methane were observed. One set of episodic events occurred during the spring thaw of the upper layers of the peat, which released methane stored in ice over the winter. The second set, generally of short duration (< 2 d), occurred in mid-summer and appeared to be related primarily to the lowering of the water table. In four of six subjectively-identified, episodic fluxes during the 1990 summer, the flux during the episodic event was equal to or greater than the upper 95 % confidence level of the three fluxes before and after the event (t-statistic probabilities ranged from < 0.001 to 0.038). Mechanisms to account for these episodic fluxes of methane include increased methane diffusivity, removal of over-burden pressure and reduced rates of methane consumption in the surface layers of the peat. Omission of these episodic fluxes could lower estimates of seasonal methane emissions by 7-22%.