Drivers of methane flux in the Coorong and Lower Lakes ecosystem

Coastal lagoons are extremely productive ecosystems and play an important role in the storage of carbon. Yet, some studies show they account for 75% of marine methane emissions (while covering only 15% of the ocean surface globally) highlighting their potential role in warming of the planet. Understanding and quantifying methane flux (storage and emission) is vital for predicting future climate scenarios. But the reality is that methane flux remains poorly understood and is currently misrepresented within global climate models. 

The student project will focus on the Coorong and Lower Lakes as an outstanding opportunity to develop the understanding of how salinity and sulfide toxicity on methane flux, which will be crucial for informing management of coastal lagoons and salt lakes globally.