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Catchment productivity is a key component in high CO2 emissions from lakes
A new study shows that biologically productive lakes have higher than average concentrations of carbon dioxide (CO2) and consequently higher losses of CO2 to the atmosphere. The analysis, which examined data from 20 Cumbrian lakes collected over 26 years, was published in the journal Nature Climate Change this week and led by Prof Stephen Maberly at the NERC Centre for Ecology & Hydrology (CEH) working with colleagues from CEH and Lancaster University.
Most lakes are net sources of CO2 to the atmosphere. Previous studies attributed this net atmospheric loss of CO2 to the in-lake oxidation of terrestrially-produced dissolved organic carbon.
The results of the new study found that the main source of excess CO2 was inflowing streams delivering CO2 and carbonates from the catchment, rather than oxidation of organic carbon within the lake itself.
The study also showed that there was a strong positive correlation between lake CO2 concentration and total catchment productivity: the more productive catchments produced more organic carbon that, in these systems, was oxidised to CO2 in the catchment and entered the lakes via streams.
Prof Maberly, who is head of the Lake Ecosystem Group at the NERC Centre for Ecology & Hydrology, said, "This work underlines the high connectedness between lakes and their catchments and has implications for catchment management: increased productivity may result in increased losses of CO2 from the surface of a lake."
The research involved the Lake Ecosystem Group and Stable Isotope Facility at CEH's Lancaster site, in collaboration with Lancaster University scientist Prof Philip Barker, all of whom are based in the Lancaster Environment Centre. The study relied on monitoring in the English Lake District that began in the 1930s and which now offers a unique platform for investigating long term impacts of climate change. A large proportion of data analysed in the study was collected within monitoring programmes funded by the Environment Agency
Thu 22 November 2012
Latest News
Geography student sets up film company
It is well known that Geography graduates are highly employable and use their degrees in many different ways. One of the more unusual we have heard about recently is Lancaster geographer Greg Tomaszewicz who has set up his own Video Production Company - Lanor Productions.
Story supplied by LU Press Office
Fri 22 February 2013
Eco-innovation businesses invited to attend pioneering project launch
Ambitious North West SMEs keen to drive forward eco-innovative ideas and products are invited to a major event in Manchester on March 4.
Story supplied by LU Press Office
Thu 21 February 2013
First Science and Technology Business Partnerships and Enterprise Annual Report 2011-2012 available to download now
2011-2012 saw the development of a new theme-based strategy for Business Partnerships and Enterprise in Science and Technology. The seven interdisciplinary themes are: Advanced Manufacturing, Energy, Environment, Health and Human Development, Information and Communication Technologies, Quantum Technology and Security. Each theme has dedicated professional staff to work with businesses and source the expertise they need.
Tue 19 February 2013
Lancaster University Coffeemat Challenge won by Science and Technology student Seb
The concept of a new university website, complete with mobile application, to capture the campus social scene at a glance, earned an enterprising student an iPad.
Story supplied by LU Press Office
Tue 19 February 2013