Evaluation of the methane paradox in four adjacent pre-alpine lakes across a trophic gradient

César Ordóñez (), Tonya DelSontro (), Timon Langenegger, Daphne Donis, Ena L. Suarez and Daniel F. McGinnis ()
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César Ordóñez: University of Geneva
Tonya DelSontro: University of Geneva
Timon Langenegger: University of Geneva
Daphne Donis: University of Geneva
Ena L. Suarez: University of Geneva
Daniel F. McGinnis: University of Geneva

Nature Communications, 2023, vol. 14, issue 1, 1-13

Abstract: Abstract Contrasting the paradigm that methane is only produced in anoxic conditions, recent discoveries show that oxic methane production (OMP, aka the methane paradox) occurs in oxygenated surface waters worldwide. OMP drivers and their contribution to global methane emissions, however, are not well constrained. In four adjacent pre-alpine lakes, we determine the net methane production rates in oxic surface waters using two mass balance approaches, accounting for methane sources and sinks. We find that OMP occurs in three out of four studied lakes, often as the dominant source of diffusive methane emissions. Correlations of net methane production versus chlorophyll-a, Secchi and surface mixed layer depths suggest a link with photosynthesis and provides an empirical upscaling approach. As OMP is a methane source in direct contact with the atmosphere, a better understanding of its extent and drivers is necessary to constrain the atmospheric methane contribution by inland waters.

Date: 2023
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-37861-7

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