- 1Department of Geography and Planning, School of Environmental Sciences, University of Liverpool, UK (lbaugh@liverpool.ac.uk)
- 2School of Geographical Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
- 3NEIF Radiocarbon Laboratory, Scottish Universities Environmental Research Centre, East Kilbride, United Kingdom
- 4Eryri National Park Authority, UK
- 5UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, Bangor, UK
- 6Department of Aquatic Sciences and Assessment, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden
Rewetted peatlands can have higher methane (CH4) emissions compared to undrained peatlands. However, the majority of studies have focussed on terrestrial emissions and have overlooked waterbodies such as pools and remnant ditches, and consequently, emissions from peatland waterbodies remain largely unknown. This study is primarily focusing on greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from peatland waterbodies from two contrasting UK bogs: A lowland raised bog in north-west England (Risley Moss) and an upland blanket bog in north Wales (Migneint). Seasonal sampling of dissolved and ebullitive greenhouse gases (GHGs) is ongoing. In October 2024, sampling for radiocarbon (14C) analysis of aquatic CH4 and carbon dioxide (CO2) was completed at the Migneint site. Both diffusive and ebullitive pathways were sampled at 3 locations (a newer restoration pool, an older restoration pool and a natural pool). We will use the results of these analyses to answer the following questions:
1) Does the 14C age of CH4 and CO2 vary between ebullitive and diffusive fluxes?
2) Does the 14C age of CH4 and CO2 vary between natural and restored pools, and with time since restoration?
To date there is very limited data for the difference of ages between ebullitive and diffusive fluxes of different GHGs with no research previously asking this question. The use of ¹⁴C will help to determine the pathways of C between the different pool types and determine if the age of pathways varies between timescales of restoration and natural pools. ¹⁴C will also help determine if in fact older rewetted sites have become more stable in relation to age of C emissions and show if the pathways have shifted towards more modern C. Preliminary data for these questions will be presented during this session. It is hoped that the answers to these questions will help fill data gaps from these poorly understood waterbodies and improve our understanding of the GHG impacts of peatland restoration strategies. In future work we will expand the radiocarbon analysis to Risley Moss and other peatlands.
How to cite: Baugh, L., Peacock, M., Dean, J., Garnett, M., Chiverrell, R., Harvey, R., and Williamson, J.: 14C and GHG dynamics in bog pools of a rewetted peatland, EGU General Assembly 2025, Vienna, Austria, 27 Apr–2 May 2025, EGU25-1224, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu25-1224, 2025.
