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Emissions from Amazonian dams

Nature Climate Change volume 3, page 1005 (2013)Cite this article

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To the Editor —

Dams change downstream inundation dynamics, interrupt fish migration and compromise aquatic biodiversity1. These and some other ecological impacts of the hydropower boom now underway at low latitudes are receiving increasing attention1,2. However, greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, although sometimes substantial, are frequently not considered as part of the environmental licensing process. Carbon dioxide (CO2) and methane (CH4) production in hydroelectric reservoirs stem from the decomposition of flooded organic matter — especially in the first years after impoundment3 — although emissions can remain substantial for many years if organic matter inputs are sufficient. In thermally stratified reservoirs, CH4 produced in sediments, anoxic water and flooded soils tends to accumulate in anoxic bottom waters, eventually outgassing to the atmosphere4,5. Given the warm temperatures, large supplies of organic matter and prevalence of anoxia in Amazonian reservoirs, high rates of GHG emissions are both expected and observed3,4. In some cases, emissions can surpass those from fossil fuel-based power plants4.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biology, Laboratory of Aquatic Ecology, Federal University of Juiz de Fora, Juiz de Fora, 36036-900, Minas Gerais, Brazil

    Rafael M. Almeida, Nathan Barros & Fábio Roland

  2. Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies, Millbrook, 12545-0129, New York, USA

    Jonathan J. Cole

  3. Department of Ecology and Genetics, Uppsala University, Uppsala, SE75236, Sweden

    Lars Tranvik

Authors
  1. Rafael M. Almeida
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  2. Nathan Barros
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  3. Jonathan J. Cole
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  4. Lars Tranvik
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  5. Fábio Roland
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Correspondence to Fábio Roland.

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Almeida, R., Barros, N., Cole, J. et al. Emissions from Amazonian dams. Nature Clim Change 3, 1005 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1038/nclimate2049

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