What will you do at Askö?

Sampling and flux measurements at Station B1. Deployment of flux chambers in near-environment around the station. Gas chromatographic analysis and water incubations at the station.

Project background

Methane oversaturation in fully oxygenated waters is a long-known paradox. Early studies suggested anoxic microniches in zooplankton as the source of methane, but more recent studies point to a symbiotic process of archaeal methanogenesis with cyanobacteria. I will test methane formation in fully oxygenated waters using flux chambers, stable isotope analysis, genetic methods, and with incubations. The measurements will be compared with methane generation and transport from the sediment bottom to establsih the significance of the surface processes for atmospheric emissions.

Researchers: Volker Bruchert, Geological Sciences, Stockholm University