Hypotheses

Wetlands generally exchange carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide gases. The exact amount of each gas released is dependent on several factors affecting the wetland environment. Based on factors such as position of the water table, presence of carbon in the wetland, saturation, and the addition of ammonium nitrate to the models, the following hypotheses were formed:

1. Models C1, C2, and C3 will demonstrate the largest methane(CH4) flux, and the smallest carbon dioxide (CO2) flux, as a result of their high water volumes. Models A1-3 will and D1-D3 will demonstrate the smallest CH4 flux, and the largest CO2 flux.

2. Following the addition of ammonium nitrate (NH4 NO3), there will be a decrease in the methane and carbon dioxide emissions in all of the models, except for models D1-3 since they acted as a control for this experiment and were not polluted with
NH4 NO3.

3. Models D1, D2, and D3 will demonstrate the lowest nitrous oxide (N2O) flux, since they acted as a control for this experiment and were not polluted with ammonium nitrate. Of the models that were contaminated with NH4 NO3, C1-3 will have the highest nitrous oxide flux, due to their high saturation. Models A1-3 will release the smallest quantity of nitrous oxide as a result of their low saturation.

4. As a result of the large water volumes in Models C1-3 will demonstrate the largest reduction of nitrates in its water over time. Models A1-3 will demonstrate the smallest decrease in nitrate concentrations due to their smaller water volumes.

Model A1

Model A2

Model A3

Model B1

Model B2

Model B3

Model C1

Model C2

Model C3

Model D1

Model D2

Model D3