Results

The following two graphs give the CH4 and CO2 fluxes of each of the containers. The flux was determined using the the volume of the covered wetland models, and the increase in gas over time, which were measured on the gas chromatograph (see Observations page for raw data and graphs). It expands the information gathered during gas sampling to determine the amount that would be released in a full-sized constructed wetland, measured in mg of CH4 per m2 per day, or g of CO2 per m2 per day.

Figure 3

 

Figure 4

The Average Daily Plant Uptake Flux graph (figure 5) accounts for the total amount of gas taken in by the plants in each model, since the CH4 concentrations were converted to CO2 concentrations (see Analysis for formulas used). Uptakes vary due to differences in biomass, health and size of the plants, in the models.

 

Figure 5

The Global Warming Potentials Graph compares the potential for each of the constructed wetland models to cause global warming (See Analysis for formulas).The unit of measurement, CO2 equivalents, takes both the methane and carbon dioxide quantities emitted into account. Since it also encorporates the total amount of CO2 being taken in, the numbers given in this graph are most important (See Conculsion for discussion of results).

Figure 6