Greenhouse gases in the River Elbe, 2020-2024

Measurements of dissovled greenhouse gases (GHG) being CO2, CH4 and N2O were performed from 2020 until 2024. Water samples were taken from bridges at tow locations at the river Elbe; Magdeburg and Wittenberge. For CO2, CH4, and N2O analysis, 30 mL water samples were collected in 60 mL plastic syringes. A headspace of 30 mL ambient air was added. After vigorously shaking for one minute the headspace was transferred to pre-evacuated 12 mL exetainers (Labco, UK) and water temperature in the syringe (=equilibration temperature) was measured. Ambient air samples for headspace correction were taken on each occasion. These samples were analysed in the laboratory with gaschromatography (Koschorreck et al 2021). Water physicochemical parameter (temperature, O2, pH) were measured immediately with a WTW-probe. Water-chemical variables were measured using standard methods as described in Kamjunke et al. (2021).