CH4 Emissions Characteristics and Its Influencing Factors in an Eutrophic Lake

Abstract

In order to identify methane (CH4) diffusion emissions characteristics and their impact factors in an eutrophic lake, CH4 flux across the lake-air interface was observed in Meiliang Bay and the central zone of Lake Taihu over one year. The relationships between CH4 flux and environmental factors and water quality indices were analyzed. The results indicated that the annual mean CH4 diffusion flux in the eutrophic zone was significantly higher than that in the central zone, which were 0.140 mmol·(m2·d)-1 and 0.024 mmol·(m2·d)-1, respectively. Additionally, the highest CH4 flux appeared in the eutrophic littoral zone. The CH4 flux varied seasonally, which was consistent with water temperature that peaked in summer. Furthermore, the difference in CH4 flux between seasons was an order of magnitude. The temporal variation in CH4 flux was mostly driven by wind speed and water temperature. The spatial correlation between CH4 flux and dissolved organic carbon concentration was highly significant (R2=0.62, P<0.01). Observing temporal and spatial patterns of CH4 flux was necessary to accurately estimate whole-lake CH4 emissions due to large variability across time and space.