Deciphering the Methane Paradox: A Generalized Mechanism of Aerobic Methane Production by Phytoplankton

This study is carried out following a progressive analytical framework: i) evaluating the effects of photosynthetic substrates, methyl-containing organosulfur compounds, iron and ROS on aerobic methane generation by phytoplankton; ii) integrating cellular biomarkers and omics strategies to delineate the specific pathways underlying aerobic methane production by phytoplankton; and iii) providing direct evidence for the key precursors involved in the identified pathways of aerobic methane biosynthesis through stable isotope labeling. This work addresses a critical gap in elucidating the precise mechanism of aerobic methane production by phytoplankton, thereby advancing our understanding of the role of phytoplankton as biological contributors to the 'methane paradox'.