The increase of methane concentrations in the atmosphere, due to both anthropogenic and natural sources, have drawn the attention of scientists in recent years due to the effect  it may have on global climate change. Processes such as climate change and cultural eutrophication may  promote increased emissions to the atmosphere through positive feedback cycles.

The journal of Limnology and Oceanography  recently published the online version of a special issue on methane emissions last month. According to Bob Howarth, Editor-in-Chief of the journal, the aim of this special issue is “to gather together the latest science on compelling topics on methane production and emissions” with the overall goal of “providing a comprehensive view of the state of the science on the role of aquatic ecosystems in the global methane cycle”.

Dr. Leila Hamdan (USM) and Dr. Kimberly Wickland (U. S. Geological Survey) were the Special Editors of the issue. The issue is a compilation of 26 papers covering topics of methane production and emissions from freshwater, estuarine and marine systems and was geared at contributing new knowledge about natural aquatic methane sources, and the forcing factors on emissions in a changing environment.

Dr. Hamdan co-authored the introductory article for the issue.  This was her first publication at USM, and we are excited to share it with you!

Please see the links below:

Link to paper: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/lno.10449/full

PDF: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/store/10.1002/lno.10449/asset/lno10449.pdf?v=1&t=iwy1op6s&s=0e43febfba61b9f4ba7bc4443179af533261ba19

ASLO (Association for the Sciences of Limnology and Oceanography) Website: http://aslo.org/index.php

-Rachel M