Carbon emmissions (CO2 and CH4) at an arctic polygonal tundra on Taymyr Peninsula, North Siberia (75°N, 98°E), were measured during summer 1996. The average emissions of carbon dioxide were about 50 times higher (150 mg CO2*m-2*h-1) than those of methane (3 mg CH4 *m-2*h-1). Emission rates of carbon dioxide and methane show dependency on water table and soil temperature. Whereas carbon dioxide emmissions appear to be primarily dependent on soil temperature, the water table position plays the major role with respect to methane emissions. Compared to the wet central polygon depression, the methane emissions from the dryer polygon margin practically ceased, while carbon dioxide emissions were slightly higher at the latter site. Thus, gaseous carbon loss from permafrost affected soils to the atmosphere was determined by the position of sites in the microrelief.
Carbon emmissions (CO2 and CH4) at an arctic polygonal tundra on Taymyr Peninsula, North Siberia (75°N, 98°E), were measured during summer 1996. The average emissions of carbon dioxide were about 50 times higher (150 mg CO2*m-2*h-1) than those of methane (3 mg CH4 *m-2*h-1). Emission rates of carbon dioxide and methane show dependency on water table and soil temperature. Whereas carbon dioxide emmissions appear to be primarily dependent on soil temperature, the water table position plays the major role with respect to methane emissions. Compared to the wet central polygon depression, the methane emissions from the dryer polygon margin practically ceased, while carbon dioxide emissions were slightly higher at the latter site. Thus, gaseous carbon loss from permafrost affected soils to the atmosphere was determined by the position of sites in the microrelief.