High-frequency monitoring of CO2 and CH4 fluxes at LéXPLORE station by combining different methods (CarboLéX)

High-frequency monitoring of CO2 and CH4 fluxes at LéXPLORE station by combining different methods (CarboLéX)

Temporal evolution of CO2 and CH4 from 29/05/24 to 22/08/24, and values of the derived fluxes

The project in a nutshell:

This project aims to advance scientific understanding of the carbon cycle in Lake Geneva and assess the representativeness of eddy covariance (EC) measurements of CO2 and CH4 exchanges at the air-water interface. It involves long-term monitoring using an EC system on the LéXPLORE platform, continuous measurements of dissolved CO2 and CH4 with Contros probes, and flux assessments via an automatic chamber. Additionally, targeted campaigns use manual floating chambers and a SubOcean spectrometer to measure gas concentrations and isotopic compositions. Initial results from May–August 2024 indicate that the lake acts as a CO2 sink during photosynthetic production while emitting CH4, with fluxes influenced by diurnal temperature changes and biological activity. Continuous monitoring is crucial to refining greenhouse gas flux estimates and improving carbon cycle modeling in aquatic systems.

Team members