Spatiotemporal variability and diffusive emissions of greenhouse gas in a shallow eutrophic lake in Inner Mongolia, China

Aquatic ecosystems are globally significant sources of greenhouse gases (GHG) to the atmosphere, offsetting the terrestrial sinks. A one-year field study was carried out in a shallow eutrophic Lake Wuliangsuhai, Inner Mongolia (draining waters from one of the largest irrigation areas in China), to estimate diffusive GHG fluxes and their relative importance in global warming potential (GWP). Our results showed high spatiotemporal variation in dissolved CO2, CH4 and N2O concentrations, while they did not differ significantly between the bottom and surface layers of the shallow waterbody. In general, GHG concentrations and diffusive fluxes were higher in the north part of the lake than in the south. GHG concentrations in the water under the ice were significantly higher than those during the open-water period. Spatial variability of GHG concentrations varied with the bathymetry of the lake. The location of study sites relative to the main inflow and abundance of submerged macrophytes were the main controlling factors of GHG concentrations, as indicated by the consistency of GHG concentrations at the sampling sites, particularly for N2O. The total diffusive GHG emission from Lake Wuliangsuhai was 76.9 +/- 5.4 Gg CO2 equivalents yr(-1), with CO2, CH4 and N2O contributing 16 %, 83 %, and 1 %, respectively. Overall, the results suggest that shallow lakes in mid-latitude arid areas with cold winters can be potentially important GHG sources. However, those lakes are insufficiently represented in the scientific literature, and therefore they deserve more research attention.

Automated summary

Shallow lakes in mid-latitude arid areas with cold winters, such as Lake Wuliangsuhai in Inner Mongolia, can be significant sources of greenhouse gases. The study found high spatial and temporal variation in dissolved CO2, CH4, and N2O concentrations, and higher concentrations and fluxes in the north part of the lake. The location of study sites relative to the main inflow and the abundance of submerged macrophytes were identified as the main controlling factors of greenhouse gas concentrations.