Freshwater sediments and riparian zone soils were selected as research objects, with samples collected along the Caohe River from upstream to downstream. By determining N2O generation potential and analyzing physicochemical properties as well as microbial community characteristics, the spatial contribution rates of various N2O production pathways and the underlying microbial driving mechanisms in sediments and riparian zone soils were systematically investigated. The results demonstrated that nitrification was the dominant pathway for N2O production in the Caohe River Basin. The upstream section of the river was identified as a hotspot of N2O generation, and sediments—compared with riparian zone soils—acted as the primary contributors to N2O emissions in the river ecosystem. The N2O generation potential of each pathway was influenced not only by environmental factors (e.g., water content, total organic carbon (TOC), pH, and ammonia nitrogen (NH4+-N) concentration) but also by the functional genes and microbial community structures of N2O producers and reducers. Among these environmental factors, NH4+-N concentration was the most critical factor regulating variations in microbial community composition. Nitrosomonas, Cellvibrio, Gallionella, and Syntrophobacter were confirmed as the key bacterial genera driving the nitrification process. These findings clarify the mechanism by which ammonia-nitrogen pollution in rivers promotes N2O release through enhancing nitrification, thereby providing a theoretical foundation for the emission reduction and control of N2O in river systems.
| 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 |