A simple technique for continuous measurement of time-variable gas transfer in surface waters
Limnology and Oceanography: Methods
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Abstract
Mass balance models of dissolved gases in streams, lakes, and rivers serve as the basis for estimating wholeecosystem rates for various biogeochemical processes. Rates of gas exchange between water and the atmosphere are important and error-prone components of these models. Here we present a simple and efficient modification of the SF6 gas tracer approach that can be used concurrently while collecting other dissolved gas samples for dissolved gas mass balance studies in streams. It consists of continuously metering SF6-saturated water directly into the stream at a low rate of flow. This approach has advantages over pulse injection of aqueous solutions or bubbling large amounts of SF6 into the stream. By adding the SF6 as a saturated solution, we minimize the possibility that other dissolved gas measurements are affected by sparging and/or bubble injecta. Because the SF6 is added continuously we have a record of changing gas transfer velocity (GTV) that is contemporaneous with the sampling of other nonconservative ambient dissolved gases. Over a single diel period, a 30% variation in GTV was observed in a second-order stream (Sugar Creek, Indiana, USA). The changing GTV could be attributed in part to changes in temperature and windspeed that occurred on hourly to diel timescales.
Suggested Citation
Tobias, C., Bohlke, J., Harvey, J.W., and Busenberg, E., 2009, A simple technique for continuous measurement of time-variable gas transfer in surface waters: Limnology and Oceanography: Methods, v. 7, p. 185-195, https://doi.org/10.4319/lom.2009.7.185.
| Publication type | Article |
|---|---|
| Publication Subtype | Journal Article |
| Title | A simple technique for continuous measurement of time-variable gas transfer in surface waters |
| Series title | Limnology and Oceanography: Methods |
| DOI | 10.4319/lom.2009.7.185 |
| Volume | 7 |
| Publication Date | February 12, 2009 |
| Year Published | 2009 |
| Language | English |
| Publisher | ASLO |
| Contributing office(s) | Branch of Regional Research-Eastern Region, Toxic Substances Hydrology Program |
| Description | 11 p. |
| First page | 185 |
| Last page | 195 |
| Country | United States |