Processes of methane cycle and destruction of organic matter during the ice period in freshwater bodies of various types

Abstract

Studies conducted in January to March at different parts of the Rybinsk Reservoir, in lakes of various types, and in a pond have demonstrated that the processes of СН₄ cycle during the ice period play an important role in the destruction of С_org and functioning of the ecosystem food webs. In highly trophic polluted lakes, the formation of СН₄ takes place both in silts and in the water column, and its gross production reaches a high summer level of 540–1220 mg С_org/(m² day). Taking into the account methanogenesis, 68–97% of the destruction of organic matter (OM) occurs due to the processes in bottom sediments. In the silts of productive lakes, only anaerobic processes cause the destruction.