CH4 and CO2 from Decomposition of Salvinia auriculata Aublet, a Macrophyte with High Invasive Potential

Author(s)

Bianchini, Jr., Irineu ^{[1, 2]} ; da Cunha-Santino, Marcela Bianchessi ^{[1, 2]}

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Fed Sao Carlos UFSCar, Dept Hidrobiol, Rodovia Washington Luiz, Km 235, BR-13565905 Sao Carlos, SP - Brazil

^[2] Univ Fed Sao Carlos, Programa Posgrad Ecol & Recursos Nat, Rodovia Washington Luiz, Km 235, BR-13565905 Sao Carlos, SP - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: WETLANDS; v. 36, n. 3, p. 557-564, JUN 2016.
• Web of Science Citations: 2

Abstract

Tropical floodplain wetlands are favorable environments for the growth of aquatic macrophytes and palustrine plants. Such plants and phytoplankton are usually the key sources of autochthonous detritus within floodplain lakes. An experiment was conducted in order to compare the production of methane (CH4) and carbon dioxide (CO2) from anaerobic decomposition of Salvinia auriculata. The incubations were prepared and maintained (138 d) at 4 different temperatures (15.3, 20.8, 25.7 and 30.3 A degrees C), and the daily rates of CH4 and CO2 were measured by gas chromatography. Periodically, the dissolved organic carbon, electrical conductivity, pH and redox potential were also measured. The anaerobic mineralization of S. auriculata was a sensitive process with respect to temperature, and CH4 was the minor product (CH4 yield: 0 to 5.1 % of C-emissions). The Q(10) calculated for mineralization was 1.16, and. after 138d, the CO2 yields were closed (average: 23.6 %). The CH4 was a secondary end product of S. auriculata mineralization, making CO2 the main greenhouse gas produced from this source. The increase in temperature should favor the formation of CH4 and shorten the time required for their formation. However, due to the large difference between the yields, CO2 should remain the main end product of decomposition. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 07/08602-9 - Potential prodution of greenhouse gases in sediments of marginal lagoons
• Grantee: Irineu Bianchini Júnior
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants