Dr Kerry Dinsmore

Research interests

My research is based on peatland carbon and greenhouse gas cycling focusing specifically on the transport of carbon from the soil to the drainage system, and evasion (degassing) of gaseous carbon from the water surface. I am interested in both quantifying the contribution of aquatic carbon to total catchment budgets as well as understanding the controls and drivers of variability in these fluxes. My research is based primarily on UK peatlands, specifically those included in the CEH carbon catchment initiative (Forsinard, Auchencorth Moss, Moor House, Upper Conwy), though recent projects have also involved work in both Finland and Canada.

I represent my section on the CEH Improvements and Communication Team (IMPACT) where issues relating to communication and performance within the organisation are discussed, and am secretary of the Royal Society's Global Environmental Research Committee. I am also the primary supervisor of PhD student Fraser Leith.

Research career

• 2008 - present: Biogeochemist at CEH's research site at Edinburgh
• 2005-2008: PhD (Atmosphere-soil-stream greenhouse gas fluxes from peatlands), CEH / SAC /University of Edinburgh
• 2001-2005: BSc (Hons 1st), Environmental Science, University of Edinburgh

Recent publications

See also the NERC Open Research Archive.

Dinsmore, K. J., Smart, R. P., Billett, M. F., Holden, J., Baird, A. J., Chapman, P. J. (in review). Greenhouse gas losses form peatland pipes: a major pathway for loss to the atmosphere?

Dinsmore, K. J., M. F. Billett, K. E. Dyson, F. Harvey, A. M. Thomson, S Piirainen, and P. Kortelainen (in review) Stream water hydrochemistry as an indicator of carbon flow paths in Finnish peatland catchments during the spring snowmelt event.

Holden, J., R. P. Smart, K. J. Dinsmore, A. J. Baird, M. F. Billett, P. J. Chapman (in review) Morphological change of natural pipe outlets in blanket peat.

Drewer, J., A. Lohila, M. Aurela, T. Laurila, K. Minkkinen, T. Penttilä, K.J. Dinsmore, R. Mckenzie, C. Helfter, M.A. Sutton, U.M. Skiba. (in press) Comparison of greenhouse gas fluxes and nitrogen budgets from an ombrotrophic bog in Scotland and a pristine mire in Finland. European journal of Soil Science. DOI 10.1111/j.1365-2389.2010.01267.x

Billett MF, Charman DJ, Clark JM, Evans CD, Evans MG, Ostle NJ, Worrall F, Burden A, Dinsmore KJ, Jones T, McNamara NP, Parry L, Rowson JG, Rose R (2010). Carbon balance of UK peatlands: current state of knowledge and future research challenges. Journal of Climate Research. 45, 13-29. DOI 10.3354/cr00903

Dyson, K. E., M. F. Billett, K. J. Dinsmore, F. Harvey, A. M. Thonson, S. Piirainen, P. Kortelainen (2010) Release of aquatic carbon from two peatland catchments in E. Finland during the spring snowmelt period. Biogeochemistry. DOI 10.1007/s10533-010-9452-3

Dinsmore KJ, Billett MF, Skiba U, Rees RM (2010) Role of the aquatic pathway in the carbon and greenhouse gas budgets of a peatland catchment. Global Change Biology, 16, 2750–2762 doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2486.2009.02119.x

Mark S. Johnson, Michael F. Billett, Kerry J. Dinsmore, Marcus Wallin, Kirstie E. Dyson and Rachhpal S. Jassal (2010). Direct and continuous measurement of dissolved carbon dioxide in freshwater aquatic systems - methods and applications. Ecohydrology. 3, 68–78. DOI: 10.1002/eco.95

Dinsmore KJ, Skiba U, Billett MF, Rees RM, Drewer J (in press) Spatial and temporal variability in CH₄ and N₂O fluxes from a Scottish ombrotrophic peatland; implications for modelling and upscaling. Soil Biology & Biochemistry. 41: 1315-1323.

Dinsmore KJ, Skiba U, Billett MF, Rees RM (in press) Effect of water table on greenhouse gas emissions from peatland mesocosms. Plant and Soil. 318: 229-242 doi: 10.1007/s11104-008-9832-9.

Dinsmore KJ, Billett MF, R. MT (2009) Transfer of carbon dioxide and methane through the soil-water-atmosphere system at Mer Bleue peatland, Canada. Hydrological Processes, 23, 330-341. doi: 10.1002/hyp.7158

Dinsmore KJ, Billett MF (2008) Continuous measurement and modelling of CO₂ losses from a peatland stream during stormflow events. Water Resources Research, 44, W12417. doi: 10.1029/2007WR007284