Multiple factors dominate the distribution of methane and its sea-to-air flux in the Bohai Sea in summer and autumn of 2014.

The Bohai Sea is well-known as a source of atmospheric methane (CH). However, the main regulate factors of the spatiotemporal distribution of CH and its sea-to-air flux remain largely unknown. In this study, the observed CH concentration ranged from 4.8 to 32.7 nmol/L and 3.1 to 15.2 nmol/L in August and November of 2014, respectively. The main factors that influence the distribution of CH and its sea-to-air flux were stratification, solubility, and current structure for the mid-west depression basins, the permanent well-mixed seawater column and CH source strength for the centre shallow ridge zone, and the upwelling for the east depression basin, respectively. Meanwhile, wind also plays an important role in sea-to-air CH flux in the study area except the centre shallow ridge zone. Upwelling made the east depression basin the most intensive source of CH, with a flux of 2 to 4 times higher than the other sub-regions.