Methane and carbon dioxide emission measurements in selected area of the Polish Western Carpathians

Abstract

The paper presents measurement results of methane and carbon dioxide emission in Western Carpathians. The investigations were carried out with application of static chamber method in 10 stations. An emission and dynamics of changes within methane and carbon dioxide concentrations were examined by measuring the emission directly from the land surface as well as after drilling an additional hole. In total, 40 gas samples were taken, which were then subjected to chromatographic analysis. The measurements of methane and carbon dioxide emission have not shown significant emission values of these gases. The average value of methane emission from soil to the atmosphere at selected measurement sites was -0.451 mg*m-2*d-1, while the average methane emission with the use of the hole, equalled to -0.361 mg*m-2*d-1. The changes of carbon dioxide concetration were opposite. Higher emission of this gas was showed due to its natural escaping to the atmosphere with an average concetration of 1829,3 mg*m-2*d-1. Conducted studies show that methane and carbon dioxide emission are low in the studied area. It does not confirm the elevated values of light hydrocarbons and associated components which were previously recorded in the soil gas samples.