Water quality physical and chemical indicators and microbial data along with their R language codes

Microorganisms in water bodies can transform carbon into a refractory form known as refractory dissolved organic carbon (RDOC), storing it in water for the long term. This process, referred to as the Microbial Carbon Pump (MCP) effect, plays a significant role in mitigating climate change. During summer, subtropical reservoirs often experience thermal stratification, which notably influences microbial activity in the water. This study aims to investigate how thermal stratification affects microbial communities and further regulates the formation of RDOC. By comparing water quality and microbial data between the Thermal Stratification periods and the Mixing period, we analyzed the intrinsic relationship between them. The study found that during the stratification periods, microbial community collaboration strengthened, with key taxa forming close cooperative networks, substantially increasing the storage of persistent carbon in the middle and upper water layers. In contrast, during the Mixing period, weakened microbial interactions led to a decline in carbon production capacity. This research reveals the universal mechanism by which thermal stratification regulates carbon storage in reservoirs, providing important scientific insights for predicting and managing the carbon sequestration capacity of inland waters against the backdrop of global warming.