Methane emission from rice paddies

Methane release rates from rice paddies have been measured in Andalusia, Spain, during almost a complete vegetation period in 1982 using the static box system. The release rates ranged between 2 and 14 mg/m²/h and exhibited a strong seasonal variation with low values during the tillering stage and shortly before harvest, while maximum values were observed at the end of the flowering stage. The CH₄ release rate, averaged over the complete vegetation period, accounted for 4 mg/m²/h which results in a worldwide CH₄ emission from rice paddies of 35–59×10¹² g/yr if we assume that the observed CH₄ release rates are representative of global conditions. The CH₄ release rates showed diurnal variations with higher values late in the afternoon which were most likely caused by temperature variations within the upper layers of the paddy soils. Approximately 95% of the CH₄ emitted into the atmosphere by rice paddies was due to transport through the rice plants. Transport by bubbles or diffusion through the paddy water was of minor importance. Incubation experiments showed that CH₄ was neither produced nor consumed in the paddy water. The relase of CH₄ from rice paddies caused a diurnal variation of CH₄ in ambient air within the rice-growing area with maximum values of up to 2.3 ppmv during the early morning, compared to average daytime values of 1.75 ppmv.