Phytoplankton Blooms in Waterbodies: An Emerging Approach to Greenhouse Gas Mitigation?

A growing body of evidence indicates that freshwater bodies, particularly eutrophic systems, can serve as significant sources of the greenhouse gases (GHGs) carbon dioxide (CO₂), methane (CH₄), and nitrous oxide (N₂O). In contrast to marine environments, freshwater systems are typically shallower and more directly influenced by terrestrial inputs, including elevated nutrient loading, increased organic matter deposition, and steeper redox gradients in both the water column and sediments. These conditions foster intensive phytoplankton growth and stimulate microbial processes that drive GHG production and emission. This article explores the biogeochemical mechanisms underlying these emissions and assesses the potential of mitigation treatments to harness phytoplankton populations for carbon sequestration and for reducing CH₄ and N₂O release.