Methane dynamics altered by reservoir operations in a typical tributary of the Three Gorges Reservoir

Substantial nutrient inputs from reservoir impoundment typically increase sedimentation rate and primary production. This can greatly enhance methane (CH₄) production, making reservoirs potentially significant sources of atmospheric CH₄. Consequently, elucidating CH₄ emissions from reservoirs is crucial for assessing their role in the global methane budget. Reservoir operations can also influence hydrodynamic and biogeochemical processes, potentially leading to pronounced spatiotemporal heterogeneity, especially in reservoirs with complex tributaries, such as the Three Gorges Reservoir (TGR). Although several studies have investigated the spatial and temporal variations in CH₄ emissions in the TGR and its tributaries, considerable uncertainties remain regarding the impact of reservoir operations on CH₄ dynamics. These uncertainties primarily arise from the limited spatial and temporal resolutions of previous measurements and the complex underlying mechanisms of CH₄ dynamics in reservoirs. In this study, we employed a fast-response automated gas equilibrator to measure the spatial distribution and seasonal variations of dissolved CH₄ concentrations in XXB, a representative area significantly impacted by TGR operations and known for severe algal blooms. Additionally, we measured CH₄ production rates in sediments and diffusive CH₄ flux in the surface water. Our multiple campaigns suggest substantial spatial and temporal variability in CH₄ concentrations across XXB. Specifically, dissolved CH₄ concentrations were generally higher upstream than downstream and exhibited a vertical stratification, with greater concentrations in bottom water compared to surface water. The peak dissolved CH₄ concentration was observed in May during the drained period. Our results suggest that the interplay between aquatic organic matter, which promotes CH₄ production, and the dilution process caused by intrusion flows from the mainstream primarily drives this spatiotemporal variability. Importantly, our study indicates the feasibility of using strategic reservoir operations to regulate these factors and mitigate CH₄ emissions. This eco-environmental approach could also be a pivotal management strategy to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from other reservoirs.