Streams and Rivers Found to Release more Carbon Dioxide than Thought

An interdisciplinary study published in the journal Naturefound that the release of carbon dioxide from rivers and streams is much higher than previously thought. The multi-country, interdisciplinary group examined carbon dioxide evasion, carbon dioxide transfer from inland waters into the atmosphere, an aspect of the global carbon cycle. Among its findings, the study found that the release of carbon dioxide from lakes and reservoirs is not as high as previously thought and the rates of release from rivers and streams, particularly smaller, fast-moving streams, are considerably higher than earlier estimates.  
Dr. Hans Dürr, Research Associate Professor, Department of Earth & Environmental Sciences, is one of the paper's co-authors. His research contributions included modelling the continental water sources using a tool called Coastal Segmentation and related Catchments, or COSCAT. The results of these efforts were key in upscaling the data into the global context.
doi:10.1038/nature12760