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Updated: Apr 14, 2026

Visualizing Methane-Cycling Microbial Dynamics in Coastal Wetlands
Published on: January 31, 2025
Increased dissolved methane production driven by phosphorus enrichment in rivers draining from varied climate zones
Peipei Zhang1, Jianing Wang2, Qibiao Yu3
1Future Environment Laboratory, Innovation Center of Yangtze River Delta, Zhejiang University, Jiaxing 314102, China; School of Environment and Resources, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China.
Abstract:
New pathways for oxic methane (CH4) production necessitate re-evaluating the impact of productivity (i.e., eutrophication) on CH4 emissions. Phosphorus (P) is a key limiting factor in aquatic ecosystems; thus, increasing riverine P will promote fluvial productivity. However, clarifying the response of riverine CH4 production and emissions to P enrichment remains unclear. Here, field observations, in situ and laboratory incubations were conducted in 29 Chinese streams and rivers across varied climate zones between 2019 and 2024. Our results showed that wide-ranging net CH4 production (0.28-57.4 μg C L-1) and diffusive emission rate (0.41-287 mg C m-2 d-1) correlated positively with P contents. In particular, both dissolved inorganic phosphorus (DIP) and dissolved organic phosphorus (DOP) stimulate riverine primary production and CH4 production in oxic water columns. Mass spectrometry analysis exhibited microbial DOP turnover to DIP involved molecular demethylation, and these demethylated homologues were strongly associated with net CH4 production. Our study suggested global riverine CH4 diffusive emissions will increase by 116% by 2100, driven by rising P loads and climate change under the RCP8.5 scenario analysis. These highlight significant uncertainties of fluvial CH4 emissions with increasing P loads under intensified human activities and climate change.
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