Aquatic methane concentrations in Lough Feeagh and the Burrishoole catchment 2019.

These data resulted from a six-month study examining CH4 transport from the peatland-dominated catchment of Lough Feeagh, a dystrophic lake in Western Ireland. The campaign aimed to characterise the transport of methane from the headwaters of the Burrishoole catchment to Lough Feeagh. Water samples were taken from the rivers draining into, and out of Lough Feeagh, as well as several locations and depths in the lake itself. Samples were anlaysed using a LosGatos portable Greenhouse Gas Analyzer (UGGA). The data also include CH4 measurements taken during incubation experiments of the lake and river water.

CH4 enrichment of the lower catchment river resulted in elevated surface CH4 levels near the lake inflow. Concentrations declined along a transect to the lake's deepest point, a phenomenon which was especially pronounced during dry periods with low stream discharge. Incubation experiments and flux modeling revealed CH4 loss was driven by oxidation and atmospheric emissions. Methodologies are described in Hansson et al (in prep). Peatlands store carbon but also emit methane (CH4), impacting the global CH4 budget. The aim of this work was to ascertain the dynamics of methane transport from the headwaters of the Burrihsoole catchment to Lough Feeagh, and understand how methane is processed with the lake.

Suggested Citation: Hansson, Truls Hveem; Jennings, Eleanor; de Eyto, Elvira; Drohan, Emma; Cooney, Joseph; Doyle, Brian; Hoke, Alex; Wilson, Harriet; Grossart, Hans Peter. (2025) Aquatic methane concentrations in Lough Feeagh and the Burrishoole catchment 2019. Marine Institute, Ireland. doi: https://doi.org/10/pz7j