Acoustic Mapping of Gas Stored in Sediments of Shallow Aquatic Systems Linked to Methane Production and Ebullition Patterns

Bubble-mediated transport is the predominant pathway of methane emissions from inland waters, which are a globally significant sources potent greenhouse gas to atmosphere. High uncertainties exist in emission estimates due high spatial and temporal variability. Acoustic methods have been applied for mapping ebullition rates by quantification rising bubbles water column. However, variability fluxes can influence mean if they based on reduced surveys. On other hand, echo sounding has successfully detect free stored sediment, provide insights into production release. In this study, subtropical, midsize, mesotrophic drinking reservoir Brazil was investigated address sediment matrix. resolution maps content were estimated echo-sounding The analyzed relation depth, deposition, organic matter (OMC) available previous studies, investigate its analysis further supported measurements potential rates, porewater concentration, flux. largest (above average) found at locations with magnitude depended depth. At shallow depth (<10 m), support gas-rich observed occur rather continuously. larger (>12 released episodically during short events. An artificial neural network model trained predict as function OMC, thickness ( R 2 = 0.89). Largest discrepancies regions steep slopes low areal (<4 L m ?2 ). Although improvements proposed, we demonstrate detection combined body characteristics provides processes that regulate waters.