Methane Emissions by Reed Formations on the Azov Sea Coast

Mapping of reed zones including both single-species formations and mixed formations of reeds and cattails has been done to assess methane emissions produced by reed formations growing on the coast and adjacent areas of the Azov Sea. In particular zones full-scale experiments have been carried out in order to measure methane emissions above common reed (Phragmites australis (Cav.) Trin. ex Steud.) and lake reed (Scirpus lacustris L.) areas, which have formed the basis for calculation of methane concentration produced by reed formations of the Azov Sea. Methane fluxes above the common reed and lake reed bushings range respectively from 1.73 to 5.85 mg/m² h and from 1.14 to 2.34 mg/m² h and are on average in 12-22 times higher than in open water areas. The total area of the Azov Sea coast and its surroundings with reed formations is 967.4 km² or 2.5% of the sea area with open water surface. The total amount of methane emissions from these formations is estimated to be 80 thousand m³ per day or 34.5% of the total methane emissions from the open water surface of the sea. At the same time 84% of these data fall on a single system of estuaries and the lakes between the Kuban River and Primorsko-Akhtarsk town.