Este trabalho comparou oito lagoas de estabilização da região Noroeste do Estado de São Paulo, que tratam esgotos predominantemente sanitários de Coroados, Lourdes, Planalto, Zacarias, Alto Alegre, Pongaí, Irapuã e Adolfo, cidades pequenas, com no máximo 5500 habitantes (1700 ligações), onde os quatro primeiros sistemas são compostos apenas por lagoas facultativas primárias e os quatro últimos por lagoas anaeróbias e lagoas facultativas secundárias. Vinte e cinco variáveis físicas, químicas e biológicas foram analisadas em amostras compostas coletadas entre 24/05/2000 e 03/10/2000. A análise da batimetria efetuada fornece indicações de prazos para a remoção do lodo do fundo das lagoas. As taxas de acúmulo de lodo médias obtidas para as lagoas anaeróbias e facultativas primárias foram de 0,07 e 0,14 m3/hab.ano, respectivamente. O pH do efluente das lagoas anaeróbias e das facultativas foi em média 6,6 e 7,4. Nas lagoas anaeróbias observou-se alta remoção de sólidos suspensos e de Demanda Bioquímica de Oxigênio (DBO) com eficiência geral média de 64% e 61% respectivamente. Os sistemas não atenderam plenamente à legislação no tocante a eficiência de remoção de DBO de 80%, porém o valor médio encontrado para os oito sistemas foi de 78%, bastante próximo do exigido. Sugere-se para a região, para eficiência de remoção de DBO de 80%, lagoas anaeróbias com tempo de detenção de 5 dias e para as lagoas facultativas primárias e secundárias tempos de detenção de 25 e 15 dias respectivamente, e taxas de aplicação superficial de 140 e 130 kg DBO/ha.dia, respectivamente. Não foi atingido o limite máximo de 1000 coliformes fecais por 100 ml, obtendo-se média geral de remoção de 97,40% inferindo-se que há necessidade de um processo de tratamento complementar para a remoção de microrganismos. Não observou-se correlação entre eficiência do sistema e relação comprimento/largura das lagoas. Constatou-se maus odores mesmo na ausência de concentrações detectáveis de sulfeto. A remoção média geral de amônio (NH4+), nitrogênio total, fosfato total dissolvido e fósforo total foi de 31%, 12%, 24% e 27% respectivamente nos sistemas estudados. / The present work compared the performance of eight stabilization ponds in the Northwest region of São Paulo state, that treat predominantly the domestic sewage from eight small cities with a maximum of 5000 inhabitants (1700 links): Coroados, Lourdes, Planalto, Zacarias, Alto Alegre, Pongaí, Trapuã and Adolfo. The first four systems are made of four primary facultative ponds and the last four by anaerobic ponds and secondary facultative ponds. A total of twenty-five chemical, physical and biological variables were analyzed in integrated samples collected between 24/05/2000 and 03/10/2000. The bathymetric analysis performed has indicated deadlines for sludge removal from the stabilization pond bottom. Mean sludge accumulation rates o btained for anaerobic and primary facultative ponds were 0.07 and 0.14 m3/inhabt.year, respectively. Effluents from anaerobic and facultative ponds had a mean pH of 6.6 and 7.4. In anaerobic ponds a righ rate of suspended solids removal was found and the Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) had an overall general efficiency of 64% and 61%, respectively. The systems did not completely attend the present legislation in respect to a BOD removal of 80%, as required, however the mean value for the eight systems monitored was 78%, very close to the established limit. It is therefore suggested that for this region, in order to attain the removal efficiency of 80% anaerobic ponds should have a residence time of 5 days and the primary and secondary facultative ones should have residence times of 25 and 15 days respectively, coupled to loading rates of 140 and 170 Kg BOD/ha.day respectively. Also, the maximum limit of 1000 fecal coliforms per 100 ml was not reached, and in general there was a mean removal efficiency of 97.40%, indicating that an additional treatment process needs to be implemented for a successful removal of coliforms. No correlation was found between the removal efficiency and morphometry (length/weight) pond characteristics. Bad smell was present even in the absence of detectable amounts of sulfide. The mean efficiency for the removal of ammonium (NH4+), total nitrogen, total dissolved phosphorus and total phosphorus were 31%, 12%, 24%, and 27% respectively, among the systems studied.

Este trabalho comparou oito lagoas de estabilização da região Noroeste do Estado de São Paulo, que tratam esgotos predominantemente sanitários de Coroados, Lourdes, Planalto, Zacarias, Alto Alegre, Pongaí, Irapuã e Adolfo, cidades pequenas, com no máximo 5500 habitantes (1700 ligações), onde os quatro primeiros sistemas são compostos apenas por lagoas facultativas primárias e os quatro últimos por lagoas anaeróbias e lagoas facultativas secundárias. Vinte e cinco variáveis físicas, químicas e biológicas foram analisadas em amostras compostas coletadas entre 24/05/2000 e 03/10/2000. A análise da batimetria efetuada fornece indicações de prazos para a remoção do lodo do fundo das lagoas. As taxas de acúmulo de lodo médias obtidas para as lagoas anaeróbias e facultativas primárias foram de 0,07 e 0,14 m3/hab.ano, respectivamente. O pH do efluente das lagoas anaeróbias e das facultativas foi em média 6,6 e 7,4. Nas lagoas anaeróbias observou-se alta remoção de sólidos suspensos e de Demanda Bioquímica de Oxigênio (DBO) com eficiência geral média de 64% e 61% respectivamente. Os sistemas não atenderam plenamente à legislação no tocante a eficiência de remoção de DBO de 80%, porém o valor médio encontrado para os oito sistemas foi de 78%, bastante próximo do exigido. Sugere-se para a região, para eficiência de remoção de DBO de 80%, lagoas anaeróbias com tempo de detenção de 5 dias e para as lagoas facultativas primárias e secundárias tempos de detenção de 25 e 15 dias respectivamente, e taxas de aplicação superficial de 140 e 130 kg DBO/ha.dia, respectivamente. Não foi atingido o limite máximo de 1000 coliformes fecais por 100 ml, obtendo-se média geral de remoção de 97,40% inferindo-se que há necessidade de um processo de tratamento complementar para a remoção de microrganismos. Não observou-se correlação entre eficiência do sistema e relação comprimento/largura das lagoas. Constatou-se maus odores mesmo na ausência de concentrações detectáveis de sulfeto. A remoção média geral de amônio (NH4+), nitrogênio total, fosfato total dissolvido e fósforo total foi de 31%, 12%, 24% e 27% respectivamente nos sistemas estudados. / The present work compared the performance of eight stabilization ponds in the Northwest region of São Paulo state, that treat predominantly the domestic sewage from eight small cities with a maximum of 5000 inhabitants (1700 links): Coroados, Lourdes, Planalto, Zacarias, Alto Alegre, Pongaí, Trapuã and Adolfo. The first four systems are made of four primary facultative ponds and the last four by anaerobic ponds and secondary facultative ponds. A total of twenty-five chemical, physical and biological variables were analyzed in integrated samples collected between 24/05/2000 and 03/10/2000. The bathymetric analysis performed has indicated deadlines for sludge removal from the stabilization pond bottom. Mean sludge accumulation rates o btained for anaerobic and primary facultative ponds were 0.07 and 0.14 m3/inhabt.year, respectively. Effluents from anaerobic and facultative ponds had a mean pH of 6.6 and 7.4. In anaerobic ponds a righ rate of suspended solids removal was found and the Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) had an overall general efficiency of 64% and 61%, respectively. The systems did not completely attend the present legislation in respect to a BOD removal of 80%, as required, however the mean value for the eight systems monitored was 78%, very close to the established limit. It is therefore suggested that for this region, in order to attain the removal efficiency of 80% anaerobic ponds should have a residence time of 5 days and the primary and secondary facultative ones should have residence times of 25 and 15 days respectively, coupled to loading rates of 140 and 170 Kg BOD/ha.day respectively. Also, the maximum limit of 1000 fecal coliforms per 100 ml was not reached, and in general there was a mean removal efficiency of 97.40%, indicating that an additional treatment process needs to be implemented for a successful removal of coliforms. No correlation was found between the removal efficiency and morphometry (length/weight) pond characteristics. Bad smell was present even in the absence of detectable amounts of sulfide. The mean efficiency for the removal of ammonium (NH4+), total nitrogen, total dissolved phosphorus and total phosphorus were 31%, 12%, 24%, and 27% respectively, among the systems studied.

published_or_final_version / Environmental Management / Master / Master of Science in Environmental Management

Lack of sufficient water for irrigation is a major problem in and around the valleys surrounding the town of Aiquile, Cochabamba Bolivia. In addition, much of the region is undergoing desertification compounded by drought, deforestation, bad traditional agricultural practices, over grazing and a "torrential" rainfall pattern leading to severe soil erosion and low agricultural production. Between 1992 and 1994, the author constructed a network of 24 small, mostly rainfed farm ponds to increase agricultural production and alleviate soil erosion and land-use problems by improving cover conditions. A 5-year post-impoundment analysis was carried out in 1998. The analysis examined current pond conditions, design criteria, irrigation water / crop production increases and the alleviation of land-use problems. Current pond conditions fell into four distinct categories with only 25 percent of the ponds being deemed as "functioning well." The project increased irrigation in the region and improved cover conditions in 66 percent of the pond sites.

[Truncated abstract. Formulae and special characters in this field can only be approximated. See PDF version for accurate reproduction.] Solar salt producers use solar energy to evaporate seawater as it flows through a series of ponds. The Shark Bay Salt solar ponds, at Useless Inlet in Western Australia, vary in salinity from that of seawater to four times seawater, over the pond sequence. Water column photosynthesis and biomass decreased markedly with increasing salinity along the pond sequence, while benthic productivity increased as cyanobacterial mats developed. Correspondingly, net productivity shifted from autotrophy to heterotrophy in the water column and from heterotrophy to autotrophy in the benthos. Both shifts occurred at intermediate salinity in the pond sequence, where there was low production in both the water column and benthos. Within individual ponds, productivity, algal biomass and physico-chemical conditions were relatively constant over the year of study. Transitions between benthic and planktonic production along the pond sequence were driven mostly by direct responses to salinity stress, as well as the formation of a gypsum crust on the pond floors at higher salinity (>120 g kg-1). This transition is similar to that which occurs in saline lakes undergoing anthropogenic salinisation and identifies critical salinities for the restoration of these lakes.

Thesis (MEng)--Stellenbosch University, 2002. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: In the present study, research was conducted to determine the feasibility of water energy storage through which the output of heated air by an upward facing solar air heater could be prolonged. Following a systematic approach, a number of experimental test swere initially performed on an upward facing solar air heater in order to obtain a benchmark that could be used to evaluate the influence of water storage during the day-time performance of a solar air heater. As expected, an increase in the air mass flow rate not only led to an increase in the collector efficiency but also to a decrease in the temperature gain across the collector. In addition, a number of day- and night-time experiments were executed on a plastic covered water tank in order to evaluate it's ability to store and discharge thermal energy. Results clearly indicated that the plastic covered water tank was both an ideal collector and storage medium of solar energy. Experimental results also revealed that the plastic covered water tank was an ideal source of thermal energy for a solar air heater during night-time operation. Subsequently, both day- and night-time experiments were performed on an upward facing solar air heater in which plastic covered water tanks were installed. Day-time experimental results revealed that the modified solar air heater still had the same collector efficiency tendency, as observed in the initial solar air heater experiments, but that the water energy storage led to a dramatic decrease in the absorber plate temperature and in the corresponding temperature gain experienced across the collector. In contrast, the night-time operation results clearly indicated that the water energy storage was not only able to prolong the output of heated air by the solar air heater, but was further able to increase the air temperature by between 7.5 and 1.5 °e, depending on the air mass flow rate. It was furthermore shown in the study that available theory is able to accurately predict the performance of an upward facing solar air heater, either with or without water energy storage, as long as the equations are employed within their range of validity / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING:In die hierdie studie is daar ondersoek ingestel na die lewensvatbaarhied van son-energiestoring in water ten einde die tydperk van lugverhitting deur 'n son-Iugverwarmer te verleng. 'n Sistematiese prasedure is gevolg waardeur daar aanvanklik 'n aantal eksperimente op 'n son-Iugverwarmer uitgevoer is am sodoende die eienskappe van so 'n lugverhiUingstelsel, sander energie storing, te vekry. Die resultate het getoon dat 'n toename in die massavloei tempo van die lug lei tot 'n toename in die kollektor effektiwiteit van die stelsel, maar terselfdetyd lei tot 'n afname in die temperatuur styging in die kollektor. Met die eienskappe van die lugverwarmingstelsel bekend, is daar voorts 'n aantal dag- en nag-eksperimente uitgevoer op 'n plastiek bedekte watertenk am die storing en vryselling van termiese energie deur die watertenk te kwantifiseer. Die resultate het daarap gedui dat die plastiek bedekte watertenk nie net beide 'n goeie kollektor en stoor medium vir son-energie is nie, maar oak dat dit 'n ideale bran van termiese energie vir 'n lugverwarmingstelsel tydens die nag is. Met inagname van die vorige resultate, is daar dan 'n aantal plastiek bedekte watertenks in die apparaat geinstalleer, en 'n aantal dag- en nag-eksperimente is uitgevoer. Die dageksperimente het getoon dat die die nuwe lugverwarmer met water energie storing dieselfde eienskappe toon ten opsigte van die kollektor effektiwiteit as die oorspronkilke son-Iugverwarmer. Tog, as gevolg van die laer absoberende plaat temperature was die temperatuur toename in die kollektor heelwat laer. In kontras hiermee dui die nagresultate aan dat die plastiek bedekte watertenks nie net die vermoe het am die tydperk van lugverwarming te verleng nie, maar oak dat die lug tempertuur, afhangende van die massavloei tempo van die lug, met tussen 1.5 en 7.5 °C verhoog kan word. Die studie het laastens oak getoon dat dit moontlik is am met behulp van beskikbare teorie die temperatuur toename in die kollektor van 'n son-Iugverwarmer met of sander water energie storing, akkuraat te voorspel, mits die vergelykings binne hul geldige gebiede gebruik word.

The methods developed in this study are for the purpose of assessing the potential of small-scale surface water impoundments, or ponds, to provide local water supplies and detain sediments from going to the main reservoir on the Wadi Zarat watershed, northwestern Libya. The Wadi Zarat watershed has an area of about 213 km2 and receives a mean annual rainfall of 270 mm. A stochastic rainfall model was developed to simulate rainfall. This model was then combined with a deterministic model to estimate runoff. A modification of the Soil Conservation Service runoff model was utilized. The results of the rainfall and runoff models were then used to estimate sediment yield using the Modified Universal Soil Loss Equation. Parameters for these models were obtained from data and studies on the Wadi Zarat watershed. A combined model that incorporates the rainfall, runoff, and sediment yield models along with equations to route the runoff and sediment through the ponds was developed. A FORTRAN V computer program was written to perform the tasks of the combined model. The computer program was designed to give the results for a set of pond performance criteria. These criteria were developed to provide an easy and comprehensive tool to compare the interaction of the pond with the rainfall, runoff, and sediment coming from a given watershed. To have a representative range of watershed-pond combination, a total of 8 watersheds, 8 ponds, and 2 seepage rates were examined. The models used gave satisfactory results and indicated a great potential for future use in other parts of the study area region and possibly other regions of the country. The results of the main model were used to develop relationships and guidelines that can be used by the planner to decide on a particular watershed-pond combination on the Wadi Zarat watershed. Equations to predict the optimum pond volume on a particular watershed size and characteristics were also developed. The study showed a great potential for small-scale surface water ponds on the Wadi Zarat watershed. The methods developed in this study are encouraging and open the door for future use in other parts of the country.

2009 metais devyniolikoje (su padaliniais dvidešimt viename) Lietuvos žuvininkystės ūkių buvo vykdomi gulbių nebylių sankaupų gausos, formavimosi sezoninės dinamikos ir pasiskirstymo ypatumų tyrimai. Tyrimai užpildo eilę spragų ankstesniuose tyrimuose apie gulbių nebylių sankaupų formavimąsi žuvų tvenkiniuose. Sankaupų formavimosi laikotarpiu žuvų auginimo tvenkiniais naudojasi apie tris tūkstančius neperinčių gulbių nebylių. Paukščiai čia apsistoja sezoninių migracijų metu. Taip pat čia susirenka šertis nesiveisiantys individai. Gulbių buvimo žuvininkystės ūkių tvenkiniuose trukmę apsprendžia tvenkinių pripildymo (balandžio mėn.) ir nuleidimo (intensyviausiai rugsėjo antroje - spalio pirmoje pusėje) laikotarpiai. Sankaupos gausiausios pavasario pabaigoje - vasaros pradžioje, visų pirma birželio mėnesį, tačiau jų dydis atskiruose ūkiuose ženkliai svyruoja ir gali piką pasiekti ir kitais sezono laikotarpiais, ypač rudeniop. Stabiliai pagrindiniu, sankaupų dydį konkrečiuose žuvų ūkiuose apsprendžiančiu, veiksniu yra bendras tvenkinių, kuriuose buvo beriami žuvų pašarai, plotas. Ūkiuose (jų grupėse), kuriuose šio faktoriaus skaitinė reikšmė didelė, gulbių nebylių sankaupos taip pat didelės ir atvirkščiai. Tačiau atsitiktinė natūralių buveinių su gausiomis gulbių nebylių sankaupomis (pavyzdžiui Kuršių Marių) kaimynystė (geografinis faktorius), gali nusverti anksčiau minėto faktoriaus poveikį. Gulbės sankaupose naudoja didžiąją dalį konkretaus, ūkio tvenkinių (paprastai 50-70 %) –... [toliau žr. visą tekstą] / In 2009, research was carried out on abundance of mute swan flocks, its formation, seasonal dynamics and distribution characteristics in nineteen (with branches in twenty-one) fish farms in Lithuania. This research fills-in a number of gaps of previous studies on mute swan flocks formation in fish farm ponds. Around three thousand non breeding mute swans are using fish farming ponds during flock’s formation season. Birds stay here during seasonal migrations. Also non breeding swans gather here to moult. The duration of stay of swans in fish farm ponds is determined by the time of filling up (in April) and draining (most intensive in the second half of September and in the first half of October) of ponds. The most numerous flocks are at late spring - early summer, particularly in June, but the size of individual flocks vary considerably and may reach peak during other periods of the season, especially in autumn. The most stable factor determining size of the specific flock in fish farm ponds is area of the pond where fish are fed. Flocks are more numerous in farms (or groups of farms) in which value of this factor is higher and vice versa. However, random natural dwellings of mute swan flocks with large populations (for example neighborhood of Kuršių Marios – geographical factor) may outweigh the above factor’s impact on mute swans flock size in fish ponds. Flocks of mute swans cluster during the mobilization period and use most part of the fish farm pond (usually 50-70%) –... [to full text]

Mikroplast, här definierat som plastobjekt mindre än 5 mm, befaras kunna göra stor skada på vattenlevande djur. Fram tills idag har studier av mikroplastreduktion främst utförts i kommunala avloppsreningsverk där mycket av plasten avskiljs. De stora spillvattenflödena gör ändå reningsverken till betydande utsläppspunkter av mikroplast till sjöar och hav. Information har hittills till stor del saknats om mikroplastförekomst i dagvatten, vilket ofta släpps ut orenat och i större volymer än spillvatten. Förekomst av mikroplast >20 µm (>0,02 mm) har undersökts för tre tätorters dagvatten samt för två avloppsreningsverks utloppsvatten. Avskiljning av mikroplast har undersökts för två spillvattenvåtmarker och två dagvattendammar. Båda anläggningstyper är relativt billiga och effektiva när det gäller reduktion av tungmetaller och övergödande näringsämnen. Örsundsbro våtmark och våtmark Alhagen tar båda emot behandlat spillvatten från kommunala avloppsreningsverk. I våtmark Alhagen finns även ett inlopp för dagvatten från Nynäshamn. Till dagvattenanläggningen Korsängens vattenpark leds en stor del av Enköpings dagvatten, medan Tibbledammen tar emot det dagvatten som kommer från Kungsängen i Upplands-Bro kommun. Vatten från anläggningarnas inlopp och utlopp, samt från två punkter inuti våtmark Alhagen har pumpats genom 20 µm-filter och 300 µm-filter. Provtagningen har kompletterats med insamling av mindre vattenvolymer som har filtrerats på laboratorium. Kvantifiering av mikroplast har gjorts med hjälp av stereomikroskop och vanligt förekommande objekts material har undersökts genom FTIR-spektroskopi. I våtmark Alhagens inkommande spillvatten var mikroplastkoncentrationen 4 objekt/liter, vilket liknar de koncentrationer andra svenska studier uppmätt i behandlat spillvatten. I inkommande vatten till Örsundsbro våtmark var koncentrationen över 950 objekt/liter, långt över vad andra svenska studier uppmätt i helt obehandlat spillvatten. I dagvatteninloppen var mikroplastinnehållet 5,4–10 objekt/liter, vilket indikerar på att mikroplatsutsläpp via dagvatten kan befaras vara minst lika stora som via spillvatten. I alla anläggningars inkommande vatten, förutom i våtmark Alhagens dagvatteninlopp, uppmättes höga koncentrationer av rödfärgade partiklar. Partiklarna kan vara av plast eller av annat okänt material och är till utseendet relativt lika de som andra studier påträffat i svenska kustvatten. Svarta partiklar påträffades i alla inflöden och ofta i mer än 100 gånger högre halter än de för mikroplast och röda partiklar, förutom i våtmark Alhagens spillvatteninlopp där de röda partiklarna var något fler. Partiklarna tros kunna vara däck- och vägrester eller förbränningspartiklar. Alla anläggningar visade på en tydlig avskiljning, ofta 90-100 %, för mikroplast, svarta och röda partiklar >20 µm. Till följd av resultatet samt anläggningarnas variation i ålder, storlek och utformning bör dagvattendammar och anlagda våtmarker generellt kunna förväntas fungera som effektiva barriärer mot spridning av mikroplast, svarta partiklar och röda partiklar. / Microplastics (MPs), here defined as plastic objects smaller than 5 mm, are suspected to cause great harm to fish when released into lakes and oceans. Studies of MP retention have until recently mainly been done for sewage treatment plants (STPs), where much of the plastics are shown to be retained in the sludge. However, due to large water flows in STPs, they can be seen as significant points for the spreading of MPs to recipient waters. Today there isn’t much information to be found about MP contents in stormwater. Stormwater is often released untreated and depending on climate it can be released in greater volumes than sewage water from urban areas. The occurrence of MPs >20 µm (>0.02 mm) has been studied in two STP effluents, and in stormwater from three urban catchments. The retention of MPs has been studied for two stormwater ponds, and for two free water surface wetlands constructed for tertiary treatment of sewage. Wetland Alhagen and Örsundsbro wetland both receive the effluents of secondary STPs. In wetland Alhagen there is also a stormwater inlet from the town of Nynäshamn. To the stormwater pond Korsängens vattenpark, stormwater is lead from the town of Enköping, while the stormwater pond Tibbledammen receives stormwater from Kungsängen in Upplands-Bro municipality. Influents and effluents from the facilities, as well as water from two points within wetland Alhagen was pumped through 20 µm and 300 µm filters. In addition, water from every sampling point was collected in minor volumes for later filtration carried out in a laboratory. Quantification was done with microscopy and a number of objects were analyzed with FTIR spectroscopy for material determination. In wetland Alhagen, the sewage inlet contained 4 MPs/liter, which is similar to results for STP effluents in other Swedish studies. In Örsundsbro wetland, the incoming water contained more than 950 MPs/liter, far greater than what other studies have shown for untreated sewage. The MP concentrations in the three stormwater inlets were between 5.4-10 MPs/liter. This indicates that untreated stormwater could be seen as a pathway for MPs at least as big as treated sewage. In almost all inlets, characteristic red particles were found in great numbers and in sizes of 20-300 µm. Analysis of some of the red particles indicated that they contained plastic while others were of unknown materials. The particles had a similar appearance to red particles commonly found in Swedish coastal waters. Black particles, a kind of microscopic particles that may originate in tyre wear (i.e. MPs) or combustion, was also found in large quantities. Except for in the main influents of wetland Alhagen, where the number of red particles was slightly higher, the black particles were always found in far greater numbers than both regular MPs and red particles (often >100x greater). The retention of MPs, black particles and red particles >20 µm was high in all the facilities, often around 90-100 percent. Based on these results and the variation of size, design and year of construction, stormwater ponds and constructed free water surface wetlands can be seen as effective barriers against the spreading of MPs.

Northern lakes and ponds are abundant and emit large amounts of the potent climate forcer methane to the atmosphere at rates prone to change with amplified Arctic warming. In spite of being important, fluxes from surface waters are not well understood. Long-term measurements are lacking and the dominant and irregular transport mode ebullition (bubbling) is rarely quantified, which complicate the inclusion of lakes and ponds in the global methane budget. This thesis focuses on variations in emissions on both local and regional scales. A synthesis of methane fluxes from almost all studied sites constrains uncertainties and demonstrates that northern lakes and ponds are a dominant source at high latitudes. Per unit area variations in flux magnitudes among different types of water bodies are mainly linked to water depth and type of sediment. When extrapolated, total area is key and thus post-glacial lakes dominate emissions over water bodies formed by peat degradation or thermokarst processes. Further, consistent multiyear measurements in three post-glacial lakes in Stordalen, northern Sweden, reveal that seasonal ebullition, primarily driven by fermentation of acetate, can be predicted by easily measured parameters such as temperature and heat energy input over the ice-free season. Assuming that most water bodies respond similarly to warming, this thesis also suggests that northern lakes and ponds will release substantially more methane before the end of the century, primarily as a result of longer ice-free seasons. Improved uncertainty reductions of both current and future estimates rely on increased knowledge of landscape-level processes related to changes in aquatic systems and organic loading with permafrost thaw, as well as more high-quality measurements, seldom seen in contemporary data. Sampling distributed over entire ice-free seasons and across different depth zones is crucial for accurately quantifying methane emissions from northern lakes and ponds. / <p>At the time of the doctoral defense, the following paper was unpublished and had a status as follows: Paper 4: Manuscript.</p>