Measurement of potential rates of methanogenic activity in mangrove swamps of the Sultan Qaboos nature reserve at Qurm, Sultanate of Oman

Abstract EN

Potential rates of methane gas evolution from soils were measured at three locati ons in the Sultan Oaboos Nature Res erve .

at Ourm.

Maximum rates of potential methanogenesis (0.54 nmol g - 1 soil h - ') occurre d in soils containing mangrove roots within the intertidal zone .

Meth ane production was undetectable in drier soils less influenced by the tide or in submerged soils incapable of supporting mangrove growth .

Potential methanogenesis was highest in surface soils and decreased rapidly with sampling depth .

Addition of L-methionine (L-MET) , cellulose, glucose , sodium acetate and potassium sulphate increased pot ential rates of methanogenesis from soils especially following treatment with sodium molybdate.

Mangrove soils in the Nature Reserve appear to be weak emittcrs of methane gas .

Methanogenesis is limited by inadequate amounts of suitable soil organic substra tes and insufficiently ana erobic soil conditions.