Blogeochemical distinction of methane releases from two Amazon hydroreservoirs

Biogeochemical distinction of methane emissions to the atmosphere may essentially rely on the surface area and morphometry of Amazon hydroreservoirs. Tucurui (deep) and Samuel (shallow) reservoirs released in average 13.82 +/- 22.94 and 71.19 +/- 107.4 mg CH4 m(-2) d(-1), respectively. delta C-13-CH4 values from the sediments to the atmosphere indicate that the deep reservoir has extended methanotrophic layer, oxidizing large quantities of light isotope methane coming from the sediments, while sediment-generated methane can easily evade the shallow reservoir. (c) 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.