SP2: Methane production & oxidation

Process studies on methane production and oxidation: from micro to pedon scale

The aim of this subproject (SP2) is to decipher the response of methane (CH₄) cycle processes in permafrost-affected terrestrial ecosystems to climate change. The knowledge gained will be used to include into and improve model-based predictions of CH₄ formation, oxidation, and release. To achieve this goal, TP2 investigates the effects of various biotic and abiotic environmental factors (soil water content, redox potential, temperature, organic matter quality, alternative electron acceptors, microbial food webs) on CH₄ production, oxidation, and release of CH₄ versus carbon dioxide (CO₂), as well as their ages. To this end, TP2 combines (1) observations & measurements directly in the field in the tundra of Greenland at different seasons with (2) elaborate laboratory studies and experiments, including incubation of intact soil columns under different environmental conditions.

Subproject lead

• Susanne Liebner, German Research Centre for Geosciences, Potsdam

Project initiators

• Georg Guggenberger, Leibniz Universität Hannover
• Christian Knoblauch, University of Hamburg
• Susanne Liebner,  German Research Centre for Geosciences, Potsdam
• Janet Rethemeyer, University of Cologne

Involved researchers

• Claudia Bruhn, German Research Centre for Geosciences, Potsdam
• Claudia Fiencke, University of Hamburg
• Patrick Liebmann, Leibniz Universität Hannover
• Jan Melchert, University of Cologne
• Tino Peplau, Leibniz Universität Hannover
• Cosima Schröer, University of Hamburg
• Carolina Voigt, University of Hamburg