Algal short-term greenhouse effect

In eutrophic lakes, the proliferating algae sequester atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO₂) and store it in the form of biomass organic carbon (OC). The high biodegradability of this endogenous OC, however, can generate anaerobic conditions and facilitate methane (CH₄) production. This process of sequestered CO₂ to higher radiative forcing CH₄ has the potential to add CO₂-equivalents (CO₂-eq) to the atmosphere. This study conducted the first analysis of carbon budgets associated with algae in eutrophic lakes from a life cycle perspective and predicted the impact of future climate warming and nutrient reduction on this effect using machine learning.