To investigate the impact of density currents brought by the mainstream of Yangtze River on the distribution of dissolved CH4 in its tributaries, three representative tributaries-Xiaojiang, Daning, and Shennong Rivers were selected as the study sites. Spatial measurements of dissolved methane(CH4)concentrations in the surface water were conducted using a Fast-Response Automated Gas Equilibrator(FaRAGE)coupled with a greenhouse gas analyzer. The results were shown to vary in CH4 concentrations among the tributaries, with average concentrations being(0.06±0.02)µmol/L in Xiaojiang,(0.17±0.12)µmol/L in Daning, and(0.16±0.14)µmol/L in Shennong Bays. The CH4 concentrations in these three bays were also found to exhibit distinct spatial heterogeneities. In Xiaojiang Bay, a pattern was observed where high surface concentrations and low bottom concentrations were present in the midstream, while higher concentrations were found at the bottom compared to the surface in both the upstream and downstream areas. Comparable distribution patterns of CH4 concentrations were noted in Daning Bay and Shennong Bay, characterized by higher concentrations upstream compared to downstream, and higher concentrations at the bottom layer relative to the surface layer. It was found that the distribution of dissolved CH4 concentrations in the tributary bays was influenced by environmental factors. Furthermore, the density currents from the mainstream were not only found to dilute the dissolved CH4 concentrations in the bays but also indirectly altered their distributions by influencing the hydrological and hydrodynamic processes within the tributary bays. The integrated effects revealed the complex dynamic processes of CH4 production and consumption within the bay ecosystems, which were of great significance for understanding and predicting the greenhouse gas emissions from the bays of the Three Gorges Reservoir.
| 科 Family | 属数 Number of genus | 种数 Number of species | 占总种数比例 Percentage of total species (%) | 属 Genus | 种数 Number of species | 占总种数比例 Percentage of total species (%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 鹅膏菌科Amanitaceae | 2 | 11 | 5.26 | 鹅膏菌属 Amanita | 10 | 4.78 |
| 小菇科 Mycenaceae | 2 | 12 | 5.74 | 丝盖伞属 Inocybe | 5 | 2.39 |
| 多孔菌科 Polyporaceae | 8 | 14 | 6.70 | 蜡蘑属 Laccaria | 5 | 2.39 |
| 红菇科 Russulaceae | 3 | 23 | 11.00 | 小皮伞属 Marasmius | 6 | 2.87 |
| 小菇属 Mycena | 11 | 5.26 | ||||
| 光柄菇属 Pluteus | 5 | 2.39 | ||||
| 红菇属 Russula | 17 | 8.13 | ||||
| 栓菌属 Trametes | 5 | 2.39 |