Greenhouse gas emissions (CO₂, CH₄, and N₂O) from several perialpine and alpine hydropower reservoirs by diffusion and loss in turbines

Abstract

We investigated greenhouse gas emissions (CO₂, CH₄, and N₂O) from reservoirs located across an altitude gradient in Switzerland. These are the first results of greenhouse gas emissions from reservoirs at high elevations in the Alps. Depth profiles were taken in 11 reservoirs located at different altitudes between the years 2003 and 2006. Diffusive trace gas emissions were calculated using surface gas concentrations, wind speeds and transfer velocities. Additionally, methane entering with the inflowing water and methane loss at the turbine was assessed for a subset of the reservoirs. All reservoirs were emitters of carbon dioxide and methane with an average of 970 ± 340 mg m⁻² day⁻¹ (results only from four lowland and one subalpine reservoir) and 0.20 ± 0.15 mg m⁻² day⁻¹, respectively. One reservoir (Lake Wohlen) emitted methane at a much higher rate (1.8 ± 0.9 mg m⁻² day⁻¹) than the other investigated reservoirs. There was no significant difference in methane emissions across the altitude gradient, but average dissolved methane concentrations decreased with increasing elevation. Only lowland reservoirs were sources for N₂O (72 ± 22 μg m⁻² day⁻¹), while the subalpine and alpine reservoirs were in equilibrium with atmospheric concentrations. These results indicate reservoirs from subalpine/alpine regions to be only minor contributors of greenhouse gases to the atmosphere compared to other reservoirs.