Thermal sensitivity of CO ₂ and CH ₄ emissions varies with streambed sediment properties

Abstract

Globally, rivers and streams are important sources of carbon dioxide and methane, with small rivers contributing disproportionately relative to their size. Previous research on greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from surface water lacks mechanistic understanding of contributions from streambed sediments. We hypothesise that streambeds, as known biogeochemical hotspots, significantly contribute to the production of GHGs. With global climate change, there is a pressing need to understand how increasing streambed temperatures will affect current and future GHG production. Current global estimates assume linear relationships between temperature and GHG emissions from surface water. Here we show non-linearity and threshold responses of streambed GHG production to warming. We reveal that temperature sensitivity varies with substrate (of variable grain size), organic matter (OM) content and geological origin. Our results confirm that streambeds, with their non-linear response to projected warming, are integral to estimating freshwater ecosystem contributions to current and future global GHG emissions.

Abstract

Rivers and streams are important sources of carbon dioxide and methane; however, the drivers of these streambed gas fluxes are poorly understood. Here, the authors show that temperature sensitivity of streambed greenhouse gas emissions varies with substrate, organic matter content and geological origin.