Measurements of hydrocarbon emissions from a boreal fen using the REA technique

Abstract

Fluxes of biogenic volatile organic compounds (VOC) and methane were measured above a boreal fen. Vegetation on the fen is dominated by Sphagnum mosses and sedges. A relaxed eddy accumulation (REA) system with dynamic deadband was designed and constructed for the measurements. Methane, C 2-C6 hydrocarbons and some halogenated hydrocarbons were analysed from the samples by gas chromatographs equipped with FID and BCD. A significant flux of isoprene and methane was detected during the growing seasons. Isoprene emission was found to follow the common isoprene emission algorithm. Average standard emission potential of isoprene was 680 μg m -2 h-1. Fluxes of other non-methane hydrocarbons were below detection limit.