Streams and rivers account for more greenhouse gases than lakes and reservoirs.
Contrary to previous beliefs, a new study found that rivers and streams release more greenhouse gas than the entire world's reservoirs and lakes combined, according to a press release. The former two water bodies release carbon dioxide at a rate five times higher than lakes and reservoirs.
"Identifying the sources and amounts of carbon dioxide released from continental water sources has been a gap in understanding the carbon cycle. Our findings show just how much carbon dioxide inland waters release and identified that rivers and streams are the main source not lakes and reservoirs, as previously thought," said Professor Hans Dürr, research professor from the Faculty of Science at Waterloo.
The researchers discovered that smaller, faster moving streams released the greatest amount of carbon dioxide gas. Rivers and streams released 1.8 billion tons of carbon per year while lakes and reservoirs released 0.32 billion tons per year.
"This study is an example of how new knowledge can be gained by bringing together different tools, techniques and ideas from hundreds of scientists to tackle a global issue," said Professor Dürr. "More integrated, international collaborations like this are needed."
The study clearly shows that rivers and streams have a direct influence on the global carbon cycle. It also emphasizes on the need to conduct further studies to determine the carbon dioxide emission rates for inland waters in the northern hemisphere. These estimations of carbon dioxide emissions can help researchers develop better models to measure and predict climate change and rising temperatures.
Findings of the study were published in the recent issue of the journal Nature.
