Examples of the methane exchange between litho- and atmosphere: the coal bearing Ruhr basin, Germany

Abstract

In coal mining areas, the emission of coal bed methane into the atmosphere via mine shafts is a well known phenomenon. Only a few data exist about the coal bed methane release through the lithosphere/atmosphere-interface in a coal-bearing basin. Here four testfields within the german Ruhr basin are presented (Fig. 1) which differ geologically and in mining intensity. Methane fluxes across the surface of these testfields were measured and a possible correlation between mining intensity and coal bed methane emissions at the surface is discussed, as well as the consumption potential of methane oxidizing bacteria in soils.