Managing hydrology can reduce methane emissions of high-emitting freshwater marshes by half making them present-day net greenhouse gas sinks

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alex Valach ◽  
Elke Eichelmann ◽  
Kyle Hemes ◽  
Kuno Kasak ◽  
Sara Knox ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Greenhouse Gas ◽  
Water Level ◽  
Methane Emissions ◽  
Water Levels ◽  
Water Level Fluctuations ◽  
Climate Mitigation ◽  
Wetland Type ◽  
High Productivity ◽  
Water Drawdown ◽  
The Impact

<p><span>Restoring wetlands for climate mitigation purposes could provide an effective method to protect existing soil carbon stocks, as well as act as a negative emission technology by sequestering atmospheric carbon for 100-1000s of years. However, many peatlands have low productivity limiting carbon sequestration, while high productivity marshes often emit large amounts of methane. Studies on water level management to control methane emissions have shown differing results depending on wetland type, climate, as well as measurement method and duration. Here we show with multi-year flux measurements that water level changes were likely responsible for significantly reducing annual methane emissions. To assess management impacts on annual greenhouse gas budgets, continuous high frequency measurements of fluxes are needed, such as by eddy covariance. However, this method is less suited to monitor concurrent manipulation experiments to compare treatments. </span><span> </span><span>We compared the impact of water level fluctuations by creating a second timeseries where water drawdown events were removed, which was then gap-filled by a random forest model trained only on measurements from periods when the water table was above the surface. These estimates were used to compare the annual budgets with the complete data and showed that annual methane emissions were up to 50% lower in years where water levels went sufficiently below the peat surface. This threshold was key, as only reductions in water depth above the surface were related to temporary increases in emissions. We further show that in some cases the drawdowns tipped the greenhouse gas budgets so that marshes were net greenhouse gas sinks, as long as the drawdown did not also reduce plant productivity through drought stress. In comparison, wetlands with average annual fluxes would require between approx. 50 and 200 years given current levels of net carbon uptake to offset high methane emissions and become cumulative greenhouse gas sinks.</span><span> </span></p>

scholarly journals Water Level Fluctuations in the Turawa Reservoir in Relation to the Tourist Use of the Water Body

2008 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 133-144
Author(s):  
Andrzej T. Jankowski ◽  
Marek Ruman
Keyword(s):  
Water Level ◽  
Water Body ◽  
High Water ◽  
Ecological Condition ◽  
Water Levels ◽  
Water Level Fluctuations ◽  
Natural Factors ◽  
Odra River ◽  
The Impact ◽  
First Time

Abstract The aim of the paper is to assess the fluctuations of water levels in the Turawa Reservoir (50° 43’ N, 18° 08’ E) in relation to the tourist use of the water body. The reservoir is situated within the macroregion of the Silesian Lowland in the mesoregion of the Opole Plain. In administrative terms, the reservoir is situated in the pole Province within the borough of Turawa. In hydrological terms, in turn, it is situated in the catchment area of the Mała Panew river, which belongs to the basin of the Odra river. The Turawa Reservoir was opened for use in 1938, and in 1948 it was filled with water to its maximum for the first time. At present, the surface area of the reservoir, when it is filled with water to its maximum, is about 20.8 km2, its volume 99.5 mln m3, and its depth exceeds 13 meters. In the period of hydrological years 1976-2000 water levels in this reservoir were characterized by high, unnoticed in natural conditions, amplitudes of changes reaching 6.99 m. Anthropogenically stimulated fluctuations in the water level result in conflicts in terms of tasks and functions that the Turawa Reservoir was designed for. Changes in the level of the water surface in the Turawa Reservoir resulted from the impact of the natural factors (thaw and rainfall related high water levels), as well as anthropogenic ones (the need to improve sailing conditions, water supply for industrial and municipal needs). Decreasing the fluctuations of water levels in the Turawa Reservoir is necessary in order to maintain its tourist-recreational functions and keep the ecological condition of its waters at the appropriate level.

scholarly journals Numerical Analysis of Slope Stability under Reservoir Water Level Fluctuations Using a FEM-LEM-Combined Method

Geofluids ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-12
Author(s):  
Qingxiang Meng ◽  
Kun Qian ◽  
Lin Zhong ◽  
Jinjian Gu ◽  
Yue Li ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Slope Stability ◽  
Water Level ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Numerical Study ◽  
Soil Strength ◽  
Water Levels ◽  
Water Level Fluctuations ◽  
Reservoir Water ◽  
Reservoir Water Level ◽  
The Impact

Large-scale slopes at the banks of reservoirs pose a serious threat to the safety of hydropower stations. The fluctuation of the reservoir water level is a key factor in the slope stability. However, the parameters to describe the relationship among water content, matric suction, and soil strength are difficult to measure using unsaturated soil strength theory. To solve this problem, a simple FEM-LEM-combined scheme considering pore pressure, seepage force, and strength weakening is presented to calculate the safety factor. A numerical study on the impact of reservoir water level fluctuations on stability of a glaciofluvial deposit slope is implemented. Two typical profiles are used to estimate the stability of the glaciofluvial deposit slope in response to rising and lowering water levels. The results indicate that this method proposed a simple and efficient tool for water level-induced slope stability analysis.

scholarly journals Responses of N<sub>2</sub>O flux to water level fluctuation and other environmental factors at littoral zone of Miyun Reservoir: a comparison with CH<sub>4</sub> fluxes

2015 ◽  
Vol 12 (7) ◽  
pp. 5333-5363 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Yang ◽  
X. M. Geng ◽  
J. Grace ◽  
Y. F. Jia ◽  
Y. Z. Liu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Factors ◽  
Greenhouse Gas ◽  
Water Level ◽  
Littoral Zone ◽  
Water Area ◽  
Water Levels ◽  
Water Level Fluctuations ◽  
N2o Flux ◽  
Flooded Area ◽  
Seasonally Flooded

Abstract. There have been only a few studies that allow us to estimate the contribution of newly-created reservoirs to greenhouse gas budgets. In particular, information is limited for understanding the spatiotemporal variation of N2O flux and the underlying mechanisms in the littoral zone where complex biochemical processes are induced by water level fluctuations. A study was carried out at five different water levels (deep water area, shallow water area, seasonally flooded area, control site for seasonally flooded area and non-flooded area) at the littoral zone of a temperate reservoir using the static chamber technique. Seasonal and spatial variations of N2O flux and environmental factors were monitored throughout the growing season including a flood event during summer rains. The N2O flux ranged from −2.29 to 182.47 μg m−2 h−1. Non-flooded dry land emitted more N2O than flooded land, no matter whether it was permanently or seasonally flooded. However, no significant difference was observed between seasonally flooded sites and their control sites. Wind speed, air temperature, soil water content, dissolved oxygen in water and soil nitrate influenced N2O flux significantly. In order to know the contrasting characteristics of N2O and CH4 fluxes in the littoral zone of the reservoir, results were compared with a previous study on CH4 emission carried out at the same sites and time with comparable methods. It showed that N2O flux and CH4 flux was influenced by distinct factors and in differing ways. This work highlights the complexity of N2O flux at the littoral zone. The different response ways of N2O and CH4 to environments implies the big challenge of greenhouse gas emission control through ecosystem management.

AUTOMATIC WATER LEVEL MONITORING WITH IOT AND LPWAN

2019 ◽  
pp. 95-103
Author(s):  
Krum Videnov ◽  
Vanya Stoykova
Keyword(s):  
Water Level ◽  
Real Time ◽  
Early Warning ◽  
Water Sources ◽  
Water Levels ◽  
Water Level Fluctuations ◽  
Level Monitoring ◽  
Water Level Monitoring

Monitoring water levels of lakes, streams, rivers and other water basins is of essential importance and is a popular measurement for a number of different industries and organisations. Remote water level monitoring helps to provide an early warning feature by sending advance alerts when the water level is increased (reaches a certain threshold). The purpose of this report is to present an affordable solution for measuring water levels in water sources using IoT and LPWAN. The assembled system enables recording of water level fluctuations in real time and storing the collected data on a remote database through LoRaWAN for further processing and analysis.

Quantifying recent lake level changes in Patagonia (Argentina and Chile): Back to the future?

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel Ariztegui ◽  
Clément Pollier ◽  
Andrés Bilmes
Keyword(s):  
Water Level ◽  
Lake Level ◽  
Satellite Images ◽  
Meteorological Data ◽  
Tierra Del Fuego ◽  
Water Level Fluctuations ◽  
Lake Levels ◽  
The Past ◽  
Rainfall Variations ◽  
The Impact

&lt;p&gt;Lake levels in hydrologically closed-basins are very sensitive to climatically and/or anthropogenically triggered environmental changes. Their record through time can provide valuable information to forecast changes that can have substantial economical and societal impact.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Increasing precipitation in eastern Patagonia (Argentina) have been documented following years with strong El Ni&amp;#241;o (cold) events using historical and meteorological data. Quantifying changes in modern lake levels allow determining the impact of rainfall variations while contributing to anticipate the evolution of lacustrine systems over the next decades with expected fluctuations in ENSO frequencies. Laguna Carrilaufquen Grande is located in the intermontane Maquinchao Basin, Argentina. Its dimension fluctuates greatly, from 20 to 55 km&lt;sup&gt;2&lt;/sup&gt; water surface area and an average water depth of 3 m. Several well-preserved gravelly beach ridges witness rainfall variations that can be compared to meteorological data and satellite images covering the last ~50 years. Our results show that in 2016 lake level was the lowest of the past 44 years whereas the maximum lake level was recorded in 1985 (+11.8 m above the current lake level) in a position 1.6 km to the east of the present shoreline. A five-years moving average rainfall record of the area was calculated smoothing the extreme annual events and correlated to the determined lake level fluctuations. The annual variation of lake levels was up to 1.2 m (e.g. 2014) whereas decadal variations related to humid-arid periods for the interval 2002 to 2016 were up to 9.4 m. These data are consistent with those from other monitored lakes and, thus, our approach opens up new perspectives to understand the historical water level fluctuations of lakes with non-available monitoring data.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&amp;#160;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Laguna de los Cisnes in the Chilean section of the island of Tierra del Fuego, is a closed-lake presently divided into two sections of 2.2 and 11.9 km&lt;sup&gt;2&lt;/sup&gt;, respectively. These two water bodies were united in the past forming a single larger lake. The lake level was&amp;#160; ca. 4 m higher than today as shown by clear shorelines and the outcropping of large Ca-rich microbialites. Historical data, aerial photographs and satellite images indicate that the most recent changes in lake level are the result of a massive decrease of water input during the last half of the 20&lt;sup&gt;th&lt;/sup&gt; century triggered by an indiscriminate use of the incoming water for agricultural purposes. The spectacular outcropping of living and fossil microbialites is not only interesting from a scientific point of view but has also initiated the development of the site as a local touristic attraction. However, if the use of the incoming water for agriculture in the catchment remains unregulated the lake water level might drop dangerously and eventually the lake might fully desiccate.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;These two examples illustrate how recent changes in lake level can be used to anticipate the near future of lakes. They show that ongoing climate changes along with the growing demand of natural resources have already started to impact lacustrine systems and this is likely to increase in the decades to come.&lt;/p&gt;

Long-term legacy of delayed climate mitigation in global glacier response

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fabien Maussion ◽  
Quentin Lejeune ◽  
Ben Marzeion ◽  
Matthias Mengel ◽  
David Rounce ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sea Level Rise ◽  
Greenhouse Gas ◽  
Sea Level ◽  
Climate Mitigation ◽  
Delayed Response ◽  
Glacier Change ◽  
Mountain Glaciers ◽  
Glacier Runoff ◽  
The Impact

&lt;p&gt;Mountain glaciers have a delayed response to climate change and are expected to continue to melt long after greenhouse gas emissions have stopped, with consequences both for sea-level rise and water resources. In this contribution, we use the Open Global Glacier Model (OGGM) to compute global glacier volume and runoff changes until the year 2300 under a suite of stylized greenhouse gas emission characterized by (i) the year at which anthropogenic emissions culminate, (ii) their reduction rates after peak emissions and (iii) whether they lead to a long-term global temperature stabilization or decline. We show that even under scenarios that achieve the Paris Agreement goal of holding global-mean temperature below 2&amp;#8201;&amp;#176;C, glacier contribution to sea-level rise will continue well beyond 2100. Because of this delayed response, the year of peak emissions (i.e. the timing of mitigation action) has a stronger influence on mit-term global glacier change than other emission scenario characteristics, while long-term change is dependent on all factors. We also discuss the impact of early climate mitigation on regional glacier change and the consequences for glacier runoff, both short-term (where some basins are expected to experience an increase of glacier runoff) and long-term (where all regions are expecting a net-zero or even negative glacier contribution to total runoff), underlining the importance of mountain glaciers for regional water availability at all timescales.&lt;/p&gt;

scholarly journals The effect of water level on lateral movements of fish between river and off-channel habitats and implications for management

2010 ◽  
Vol 61 (3) ◽  
pp. 271 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jarod Lyon ◽  
Ivor Stuart ◽  
David Ramsey ◽  
Justin O'Mahony
Keyword(s):  
Water Level ◽  
Fish Community ◽  
Life History Strategy ◽  
Water Levels ◽  
Water Level Fluctuations ◽  
Main River Channel ◽  
Murray River ◽  
Wetland Biodiversity ◽  
Eastern Australia ◽  
Riverine Wetland

Off-channel habitats, such as wetlands and backwaters, are important for the productivity of river systems and for many species of native fish. This study aimed to investigate the fish community, timing and cues that stimulated movement to and from off-channel habitats in the highly regulated Lake Hume to Lake Mulwala reach of the Murray River, south-eastern Australia. In 2004–05, 193 712 fish were collected moving bi-directionally between a 50-km section of the Murray River and several off-channel habitats. Lateral fish movements approximated water level fluctuations. Generally as water levels rose, fish left the main river channel and moved into newly flooded off-channel habitats; there was bi-directional movement as water levels peaked; on falling levels fish moved back to the permanent riverine habitats. Fish previously classified as ‘wetland specialists’, such as carp gudgeons (Hypseleotris spp.), have a more flexible movement and life-history strategy including riverine habitation. The high degree of lateral movement indicates the importance of habitat connectivity for the small-bodied fish community. Wetlands adjacent to the Murray River are becoming increasingly regulated by small weirs and ensuring lateral fish movement will be important in maintaining riverine-wetland biodiversity.

scholarly journals Regulation of Vegetation and Evapotranspiration by Water Level Fluctuation in Shallow Lakes

Water ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (19) ◽  
pp. 2651
Author(s):  
Qiang Liu ◽  
Liqiao Liang ◽  
Xiaomin Yuan ◽  
Sirui Yan ◽  
Miao Li ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Water Level ◽  
Open Water ◽  
Water Area ◽  
Water Level Fluctuation ◽  
Water Levels ◽  
Water Level Fluctuations ◽  
Water Evaporation ◽  
Level Fluctuation ◽  
Open Water Area ◽  
Annual Scale

Water level fluctuations play a critical role in regulating vegetation distribution, composition, cover and richness, which ultimately affect evapotranspiration. In this study, we first explore water level fluctuations and associated impacts on vegetation, after which we assess evapotranspiration (ET) under different water levels. The normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) was used to estimate the fractional vegetation cover (Fv), while topography- and vegetation-based surface-energy partitioning algorithms (TVET model) and potential evaporation (Ev) were used to calculate ET and water evaporation (Ep). Results show that: (1) water levels were dramatically affected by the combined effect of ecological water transfer and climate change and exhibited significant decreasing trends with a slope of −0.011 m a−2; and (2) as predicted, there was a correlation between water level fluctuation at an annual scale with Phragmites australis (P. australis) cover and open-water area. Water levels also had a controlling effect on Fv values, an increase in annual water levels first increasing and then decreasing Fv. However, a negative correlation was found between Fv values and water levels during initial plant growth stages. (iii) ET, which varied under different water levels at an annual scale, showed different partition into transpiration from P. australis and evaporation from open-water area and soil with alterations between vegetation and open water. All findings indicated that water level fluctuations controlled biological and ecological processes, and their structural and functional characteristics. This study consequently recommends that specifically-focused ecological water regulations (e.g., duration, timing, frequency) should be enacted to maintain the integrity of wetland ecosystems for wetland restoration.

scholarly journals Determining Extreme Still Water Levels for Design and Planning Purposes Incorporating Sea Level Rise: Sydney, Australia

Atmosphere ◽  
2022 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 95
Author(s):  
Phil J. Watson
Keyword(s):  
Sea Level Rise ◽  
Water Level ◽  
Sea Level ◽  
Tide Gauge ◽  
Water Levels ◽  
Extreme Value Analysis ◽  
Tide Gauge Record ◽  
Value Analysis ◽  
Mean Sea Level ◽  
The Impact

This paper provides an Extreme Value Analysis (EVA) of the hourly water level record at Fort Denison dating back to 1915 to understand the statistical likelihood of the combination of high predicted tides and the more dynamic influences that can drive ocean water levels higher at the coast. The analysis is based on the Peaks-Over-Threshold (POT) method using a fitted Generalised Pareto Distribution (GPD) function to estimate extreme hourly heights above mean sea level. The analysis highlights the impact of the 1974 East Coast Low event and rarity of the associated measured water level above mean sea level at Sydney, with an estimated return period exceeding 1000 years. Extreme hourly predictions are integrated with future projections of sea level rise to provide estimates of relevant still water levels at 2050, 2070 and 2100 for a range of return periods (1 to 1000 years) for use in coastal zone management, design, and sea level rise adaptation planning along the NSW coastline. The analytical procedures described provide a step-by-step guide for practitioners on how to develop similar baseline information from any long tide gauge record and the associated limitations and key sensitivities that must be understood and appreciated in applying EVA.

scholarly journals Determination of diurnal water level fluctuations in headwaters

2016 ◽  
Vol 47 (4) ◽  
pp. 888-901 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marek Marciniak ◽  
Anna Szczucińska
Keyword(s):  
Water Temperature ◽  
Water Level ◽  
Air Temperature ◽  
Hyporheic Zone ◽  
Water Pressure ◽  
Water Levels ◽  
Water Level Fluctuations ◽  
Diurnal Changes ◽  
Atmospheric Conditions ◽  
Diurnal Fluctuations

The aim of this paper is to study diurnal fluctuations of the water level in streams draining headwaters and to identify the controlling factors. The fieldwork was carried out in the Gryżynka River catchment, western Poland. The water levels of three streams draining into the headwaters via a group of springs were monitored in the years 2011–2014. Changes in the water pressure and water temperature were recorded by automatic sensors – Schlumberger MiniDiver type. Simultaneously, Barodiver type sensors were used to record air temperature and atmospheric pressure, as it was necessary to adjust the data collected by the MiniDivers calculate the water level. The results showed that diurnal fluctuations in water level of the streams ranged from 2 to 4 cm (approximately 10% of total water depth) and were well correlated with the changes in evapotranspiration as well as air temperature. The observed water level fluctuations likely have resulted from processes occurring in the headwaters. Good correlation with atmospheric conditions indicates control by daily variations of the local climate. However, the relationship with water temperature suggests that fluctuations are also caused by changes in the temperature-dependent water viscosity and, consequently, by diurnal changes in the hydraulic conductivity of the hyporheic zone.

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