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Visualizing Methane-Cycling Microbial Dynamics in Coastal Wetlands
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Hydroxyl Radical-Driven Methanogenesis in Sunlit Surface Waters.

Jingyi Wang1,2, Binbin Wu1, Yu Yao1

  • 1State Key Laboratory of Soil Pollution Control and Safety, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China.

Environmental Science & Technology
|May 28, 2026
PubMed
Summary

Sunlight photochemistry creates methane (CH4) in aerobic waters, solving the "aerobic methane paradox". This previously unknown source significantly impacts global methane budgets, especially in marine environments.

Keywords:
aquatic systemhydroxyl radicalmethanemethyl donorphotochemistry

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Single-throughput Complementary High-resolution Analytical Techniques for Characterizing Complex Natural Organic Matter Mixtures

Published on: January 7, 2019

Area of Science:

  • Environmental Chemistry
  • Biogeochemistry
  • Photochemistry

Background:

  • Methane (CH4) production is typically linked to anaerobic microbial processes.
  • A significant amount of CH4 is observed in aerobic surface waters, creating the "aerobic methane paradox".

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the mechanism of aerobic methane production in surface waters.
  • To quantify the contribution of photochemical processes to methane emissions.

Main Methods:

  • Experimental analysis of CH4 production in river, lake, and seawater under sunlight.
  • Measurement of CH4 formation rates during daytime (photochemical) and nighttime (microbial).
  • Global-scale simulations incorporating photochemical CH4 production.

Main Results:

  • Sunlight-driven photochemical processes produce CH4 in various surface waters.
  • Daytime CH4 formation rates were 2.3- to 3.9-fold higher than nighttime microbial production.
  • Photochemical CH4 production is attributed to hydroxyl radical oxidation of methyl donors.

Conclusions:

  • Photochemical reactions represent a significant, previously overlooked source of CH4 in aerobic surface waters.
  • This process helps resolve the "aerobic methane paradox".
  • Photochemical CH4 production contributes substantially (35.3–70.7%) to marine CH4 emissions, impacting global CH4 budgets.