Insight into greenhouse gas emission in freshwater aquaculture ponds in Jiangsu Province: Variation due to species used and ponds management practice

Li Y., Wang H., Zeng Q., Jeppesen E., Gu X., Yan J.

JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES, vol.160, pp.732-744, 2026 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 160
  • Publication Date: 2026
  • Doi Number: 10.1016/j.jes.2025.03.042
  • Journal Name: JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, BIOSIS, Compendex, Environment Index, Geobase, Greenfile, ICONDA Bibliographic, INSPEC, MEDLINE
  • Page Numbers: pp.732-744
  • Middle East Technical University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

Aquaculture ponds have emerged as a significant contributor to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. We measured methane (CH4), carbon dioxide (CO2), and nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions in ponds, all located in Jiangsu Province, with different fish and management practices over an entire cycle. All ponds emitted these gases, with higher CH4 and N2O levels during fish growth than stocking period. The highest CH4 and N2O fluxes were found in the Crucian carp (Carassius auratus) pond with up to 16,512 +/- 3015 mu mol/(m(2)h) and 5.54 +/- 0.31 mu mol/(m(2)h), respectively. CH4 was the primary contributor to the global warming potential in traditional earthen ponds, accounting for an average contribution rate of 87.7 %. The dissolved oxygen (DO) concentration was the water quality parameter that most significantly influenced the CO2 flux, while pH acted as its primary regulator. The GHG emission intensity per unit of fish production in traditional earthen ponds was 197 times higher than that in-pond raceway systems. Largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) and Crucian carp ponds exhibited CH4 diffusion fluxes at the sediment-water interface, which were > 20 times higher than those at the water-air interface. Our results further suggest that stocking density and feed amount significantly influence the variations in GHG emissions among the ponds with the in-pond raceway system having low carbon emissions and being high yield aquaculture system compared to traditional earthen ponds. The water depth and DO concentration can be manipulated to reduce GHG emissions across the various interfaces.