Greenhouse Gas Emission from Freshwater Ecosystem

Dear Colleagues,

Freshwater reservoirs, as with all inland aquatic systems, are a well-known source of greenhouse gas (GHG; CO₂, CH₄, and N₂O) to the atmosphere, but their quantitative measurement and importance are still loosely constrained. This is mainly due to a lack of clear methodology for GHG quantification, unavailability of datasets for medium- to long-term prediction, and model availability. Freshwater bodies (e.g., rivers, lakes, and reservoirs) are actual sites of carbon processing and transport. They receive carbon (C) in various forms (inorganic and organic forms, labile organic carbon, autochthonous and allochthonous); the maximum part of which is released into the atmosphere and partially buried more or less in their sediments and transferred downstream. Since the 1990s (after the pre-industrial era), freshwater has contributed a significant amount of GHG emissions into the atmosphere. Furthermore, it plays an important role in regional and/or global carbon budgeting. The GHG emissions are mainly due to the degradation of organic matter (resulting mainly from the catchments and reaching the freshwater ecosystem through runoffs), occuring aerobically and/or anaerobically in benthic sediment. This quantification (maximum/minimum) is mainly due to the availability of nutrients (particularly carbon and nitrogen), climatic condition, depth, availability of dissolved oxygen, stratification, temperature of water column, etc. In general, tropical eco-regions are hotspots of emissions compared to temperate and sub-tropical regions. Given the worldwide importance of natural ecosystems, questioning man-made reservoirs as to their own carbon footprints is to be expected. There is vast uncertainty surrounding GHG inventory, although part of this uncertainty is the result of the complex biogeochemical processes involved and a lack of clear methodology to assess their GHG footprint.

This Special Issue accepts critical reviews, monographs, mini research articles, and research papers that analyze and discuss GHG emissions from freshwater ecosystems. Special emphasis is placed on (i) the quantification of GHG from rivers, lakes, reservoirs; (ii) their impact on regional and/or global carbon budgeting; (iii) modeling and measurement; (iv) factors affecting emissions; v) carbon budgeting; vi) carbon dynamics and their climate change implications; (vii) the mitigation strategies and/or regulatory policies.

Prof. Dr. Amit Kumar
Prof. Dr. Zhiguo Yu
Guest Editors

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