A Global database of methane concentrations and atmospheric fluxes for streams and rivers

This dataset, referred to as MethDB, is a collation of publicly available values of
methane (CH4) concentrations and atmospheric fluxes for world streams and rivers, along with
supporting information on location, geographic, physical, and chemical conditions of the
study sites. The data set is composed of four linked tables, corresponding to the data
sources (Papers_MethDB), the study sites (Sites_MethDB), concentrations
(Concentrations_MethDB), and influx/efflux rates (Fluxes_MethDB). Information was extracted
from journal articles, government reports, book chapters, and similar sources that were
acquired before 15 September 2015. Concentrations and fluxes were converted to a standard
unit (micromoles per liter for concentration and millimoles per square meter per day for
flux) and both the author-reported and converted data are included in the database. MethDB
was assembled as part of a larger synthesis effort on stream and river CH4 dynamics, and
assembled data were used to identify large-scale patterns and potential drivers of fluvial
CH4 and to generate an updated global-scale estimate of CH4 emissions from world rivers.