Author: Melissa  Cobo Arias,   (Utah State University)

Designation: 

Description:
Anthropogenic desiccation has negatively impacted saline lake levels around the world. This exposes large areas of lake sediments to the atmosphere, producing elevated carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions and contributing to atmospheric greenhouse gas concentrations. We measured biweekly (spring to fall 2020) CO2 dry fluxes from exposed lake bed areas of Great Salt Lake (Utah, USA), a large terminal lake experiencing declining water levels due to local consumptive water uses and diversions.  We present the high inter-seasonal variability of these fluxes, and discuss potential drivers of local variability. We also estimate the natural surface CO2 fluxes of Great Salt Lake, and present the net landscape outcome of local desiccation on statewide anthropogenic GHG emissions.

Category: Scientific Program Abstract > Special Sessions > SS19 Securing biodiversity, functional integrity and ecosystem services in drying aquatic ecosystems