Methane emission from water level fluctuation zone of the Three Gorges Reservoir: Seasonal variation and microbial mechanism.

Periodic and significant water level fluctuations within the Three Gorges Reservoir (TGR) create a complex water level fluctuation zone (WLFZ) that can significantly influence greenhouse gas emissions. However, the scarcity of comprehensive studies investigating long-term monitoring and analysis of CH flux patterns and underlying mechanisms concerning water level variations, environmental characteristics, and microbial communities has limited our understanding. This study conducted a four-year monitoring campaign to examine in situ CH emissions from three representative sampling sites. Results indicated that the CH flux remained relatively stable at lower water levels, specifically at the control site (S1). However, water level fluctuations significantly influenced CH emissions at the sampling sites situated within the WLFZ. Notably, the highest CH flux of 0.252 ± 0.089 mg/(m·h) was observed during the drying period (June to August), while the lowest CH flux of 0.048 ± 0.026 mg/(m·h) was recorded during the flooding period. Moreover, CH emissions through the water-air interface surpassed those through the soil-air interface. The CH flux positively correlated with organic carbon, temperature, and soil moisture. The relative abundance of methane metabolism microorganisms peaked during the drying period and decreased during the impounding and flooding periods. The primary methanogenesis pathway was hydrogenotrophic, whereas methanotrophic processes were mainly aerobic, with Ca. Methylomirabilis governing the anaerobic methanotrophic process. Overall, the current findings serve as crucial theoretical references for understanding CH emissions and carbon metabolism processes within WLFZ environments.