High concentrations of dissolved biogenic methane associated with cyanobacterial blooms in East African lake surface water

Abstract

The contribution of oxic methane production to greenhouse gas emissions from lakes is globally relevant, yet uncertainties remain about the levels up to which methanogenesis can counterbalance methanotrophy by leading to CH₄ oversaturation in productive surface waters. Here, we explored the biogeochemical and microbial community variation patterns in a meromictic soda lake, in the East African Rift Valley (Kenya), showing an extraordinarily high concentration of methane in oxic waters (up to 156 µmol L⁻¹). Vertical profiles of dissolved gases and their isotopic signature indicated a biogenic origin of CH₄. A bloom of Oxyphotobacteria co-occurred with abundant hydrogenotrophic and acetoclastic methanogens, mostly found within suspended aggregates promoting the interactions between Bacteria, Cyanobacteria, and Archaea. Moreover, aggregate sedimentation appeared critical in connecting the lake compartments through biomass and organic matter transfer. Our findings provide insights into understanding how hydrogeochemical features of a meromictic soda lake, the origin of carbon sources, and the microbial community profiles, could promote methane oversaturation and production up to exceptionally high rates.

Fazi et al. report on an extraordinarily high biogenic methane concentration detected in the surface water of Lake Sonachi, Kenya. Using gas chromatography and microbiome profiling, they determine that these high concentrations are associated with cyanobacterial blooms and help provide insight to methanogenesis in meromictic soda lakes.