Acta Limnologica Brasiliensia
http://www.alb.periodikos.com.br/article/doi/10.1590/S2179-975X4023
Acta Limnologica Brasiliensia
Thematic Section: Methods

Development and field application of a low-cost device for sampling greenhouse gas fluxes at the air-water interface in limnological studies

Desenvolvimento e aplicação de dispositivo de baixo custo para a amostragem de fluxos de gases de efeito estufa na interface ar-água em estudos limnológicos

Lúcia Helena Gomes Coelho; Tatiane do Nascimento Lopes; Tatiane Araujo de Jesus; Roseli Frederigi Benassi

http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S2179-975X4023 Acta Limnol. Bras. (Online), vol.37, e28, 2025
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Abstract

Aim: The objective of the present study was to develop and field-apply a simple device for sampling greenhouse gas flows (CO2 and CH4) at the air-water interface.

Methods: The device consisted of a cylindrical chamber made of high-density polyethylene with a valve to collect gases. The chamber sealing materials (silicone rubber and epoxy resin) and the system configuration (area/volume ratio A/V, and influence of ventilation) were evaluated. The device was applied in five field campaigns (n = 45). The samples were stored in gasometric containers until analysis by gas chromatography with flame ionization detection.

Results: The epoxy resin sealed the chambers better, while the non-vented device with a higher A/V ratio showed better mixing with fewer uncertainties in gas diffusion through boundary layer disturbance. The flow rates of the target gases varied greatly, from below the limit of quantification for CH4 (< 0.062 mg m-2 min-1) to 0.214 mg m-2 min-1, and from 0.3 to 42.3 mg m-2 min-1 for CO2.

Conclusions: These chambers minimize disturbances to the water body and the natural gas exchange processes obtaining more representative data on the natural emissions. Our floating chamber device proved robustness and versatility for determining gas flows at the air-water interface. However, its use must be evaluated in preliminary field work to define the sampling interval time, uncertainties and main analytical challenges to be overcome.

Keywords

carbon dioxide (CO2); diffusive chamber; GHGs; methane (CH4); wastewater pollution

Resumo

Objetivo: O presente estudo teve por objetivo o desenvolvimento e aplicação em campo de um dispositivo simples para amostragem de fluxos de gases de efeito estufa (CO2 e CH4) na interface ar-água.

Métodos: O dispositivo era composto por uma câmara cilíndrica de polietileno de alta densidade com válvula para coleta dos gases. Foram avaliados os materiais de vedação da câmara (borracha de silicone e resina epóxi) e a configuração do sistema (relação área/volume A/V e influência da ventilação). O dispositivo foi aplicado em cinco campanhas de campo (n = 45). As amostras foram armazenadas em recipientes gasométricos até a análise por cromatografia gasosa com detecção de ionização em chama.

Resultados: A resina epóxi selou melhor as câmaras, enquanto o dispositivo não ventilado e com relação A/V mais alta apresentou melhor mistura com menos incertezas na difusão do gás através da perturbação da camada limite. As taxas de fluxo dos gases alvo variaram muito, desde abaixo do limite de quantificação para CH4 (< 0,062 mg m-2 min-1) a 0,214 mg m-2 min-1, e de 0,3 a 42,3 mg m-2 min-1 para CO2.

Conclusões: Estas câmaras minimizam as perturbações do corpo hídrico e dos processos de troca de gases naturais, obtendo dados mais representativos sobre as emissões naturais. Nosso dispositivo de câmara flutuante mostrou-se robusto e versátil para determinar fluxos de gases na interface ar-água. Entretanto, seu uso deve ser avaliado em trabalhos preliminares de campo para definição do tempo de intervalo de amostragem, incertezas e principais desafios analíticos a serem superados.

Palavras-chave

dióxido de carbono (CO2); câmara difusional; GEE; metano (CH4); poluição por águas residuárias

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Submitted date:
27/04/2023

Accepted date:
09/09/2025

Publication date:
07/11/2025

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