Numerical modeling of methane venting from lake sediments

Abstract

The dynamics of methane transport in lake sediments control the release of methane into the water column above, and the portion that reaches the atmosphere may contribute significantly to the greenhouse effect. The observed dynamics are poorly understood. In particular, variations in the hydrostatic load on the sediments, from both water level and barometric pressure, appear to trigger free gas bubbling (ebullition). We develop a model of methane bubble ow through the sediments, forced by changes in hydrostatic load. The mechanistic, numerical model is tuned to and compared against ebullition data from Upper Mystic Lake, MA, and the predictions match the daily temporal character of the observed gas releases. We conclude that the combination of plastic gas cavity deformation and ow through "breathing" gas conduits explains methane venting from lake sediments. This research lays the groundwork for integrated modeling of methane transport in the sediment and water column to constrain the atmospheric flux from methane-generating lakes.