DNRA dominates over denitrification during algal blooms in a mesotrophic lake: Implications for nitrogen retention and eutrophication risk

Nitrogen (N) overloading threatens global lake ecosystems. However, how algal blooms affect the N balance in mesotrophic lakes by shaping N-cycling biogeographic patterns remains a critical knowledge gap. This study systematically elucidated N cycling patterns and microbial mechanisms driving N retention during algal blooms in Erhai Lake by integrating field monitoring, 15 N isotope pairing technique (15 N-IPT), and absolute quantitative metagenomics. Results revealed that algal blooms shaped a N-cycling functional pattern in Erhai Lake characterized by organic degradation and synthesis (ODAS) dominance and dissimilatory nitrate reduction (DNR) as a key process. Notably, algal blooms disrupted traditional nitrification-denitrification coupling, shifting N cycling towards a retention mode dominated by dissimilatory nitrate reduction to ammonium (DNRA). Sedimentary DNRA contributed 69% (14. 69 ± 5. 57 μmol N L −1 h −1) of total dissimilatory nitrate reduction (DNR) process, supported by significantly elevated NrfA (602. 49 ± 121. 04 μmol d −1 g −1) and NirBD (361. 29 ± 138. 39 μmol d −1 g −1) enzyme activities. Partial Least Squares Path Modeling (PLS-PM) identified the nitrogen retention index (NRI) as co-regulated by water depth and algal-mediated microbial activity/rates. High-NRI sediments were dominated by Bacteroidota (mainly orders Marinilabiliales and families Prolixibacteraceae) and Myxococcota (primarily families Anaeromyxobacteraceae), while low-NRI sediments were characterized by enrichment of Pseudomonadota (Thioalkalivibrio nitratireducens and Gallionellaceae) and Campylobacterota (Campylobacter sp. BCW₈712). DNRA outcompeted denitrification, diverting nitrate to ammonium rather than N 2 gas and resulting in an internal N loading that was an order of magnitude higher than external inputs. This work challenges the denitrification-centric paradigm, revealing the microbial mechanisms of endogenous N accumulation under algal bloom conditions and providing a theoretical basis for the management of plateau lakes. • DNRA dominated nitrate reduction during algal blooms, contributing 69% of total. • The uncoupling of nitrification and denitrification contributed to DNRA dominance. • Microbial enzymes drove N retention via algal-environmental responses. • DNRA-driven internal N accumulation reached 45 times external inputs.